You have brushes, paint and time, but no idea what to paint? That is completely normal, even for experienced artists. The trick is to look at the world around you in categories. Here are 25 picture ideas to get you started.
Ideas from you and your family
- Your favorite selfie
- Your pet sleeping in its favorite spot
- A portrait of your parents or grandparents
- Your kids at the beach
- Your wedding or engagement photo
- A photo of you with your best friends
- Your favorite meal or a family recipe on the table
Ideas from your surroundings
- The view from your window
- Flowers from your garden or a bouquet
- A tree in four seasons
- Your favorite coffee cup
- A sunset over the water
- Mountains from your last hike
- Birds or butterflies
- Your street or your house
Ideas from your memories
- Your childhood home
- A city you traveled to
- Your first car
- A pet from your childhood
- The place where you met your partner
Ideas from your imagination
- A planet with smiling moons
- Your dream house
- An animal in wild, unexpected colors
- A mandala with your favorite colors
- A peaceful scene that makes you feel calm
How to choose your idea
Ask yourself three questions: What would I enjoy looking at for hours? What would I like to hang on my wall? And who would I love to give it to? The idea that answers all three is usually the right one.
Turn your idea into a paint by numbers kit
If your idea is a photo, we can turn it into a custom paint by numbers kit. Read first how to choose the best photo. If you prefer a ready design, explore themes like travel, galaxies, colorful animals or mandalas.
Turn an idea into a good reference photo
If your idea is something you can photograph, a few simple rules make it paint-ready:
- Shoot in daylight, ideally in the morning or late afternoon.
- Get close so your subject fills most of the picture.
- Keep the background simple: move a cup to a plain table, photograph a flower against the sky.
- Take several shots and choose the sharpest one.
Frequently asked questions
What is easy to paint for beginners?
Simple shapes with large color areas: a sunset, a single flower, a cactus or a minimalist landscape. See our easy paint by numbers for adults.