When my dog passed away five months ago, I found myself looking for a way to keep him close — something more personal than a photo print on the wall. That's when I came across Winnie's Pics, a company that does custom paint-by-numbers, and discovered you can send them a photo of your pet, your family, anyone you love, and they'll turn it into a canvas you paint yourself. This short unboxing video is me opening the kit for the first time and sharing why I decided to try it.
What we cover
This video is an unboxing of a custom pet portrait paint-by-numbers kit from Winnie's Pics — including what comes in the box, how paint-by-numbers works if you've never tried it, and a few practical tips on brushes and how to approach the painting. I also share how I'm planning to frame the finished canvas once it's done.
What you'll learn
What comes in a custom paint-by-numbers kit — and what doesn't:
- A pre-printed canvas with numbered sections mapped to your photo
- A full set of numbered paint pots
- A reference print on paper (same image as the canvas) so you can check numbers after you've painted over them
- Brushes are not included — you'll need to bring your own
How paint-by-numbers works as a practice — each section of the canvas carries a number that corresponds to a specific paint colour. You fill in the sections, and the image builds up as you go. If you've never painted before and assume that rules you out, this is the format that changes that.
Two approaches to working through the canvas, including:
- Work by number — pick a single number (say, number six) and paint every section on the canvas that carries that number before moving to the next
- Work by section — start at one area (the top, for instance) and complete everything in that region before moving down
How to choose the right brush for the canvas — larger brushes for broad, open-numbered sections; finer brushes for tight, detailed areas. This makes a real difference to how clean the edges stay.
How to use the reference print — as you paint over sections, the printed numbers on the canvas disappear. The paper reference print is there so you can always check what number belongs where, especially if you walk away mid-session and come back.
How to finish and frame a paint-by-numbers canvas — the canvas doesn't need to be stretched over a frame. One option is simply trimming the excess edges and fitting the painted canvas into a standard picture frame.
Tips & gotchas
Keep the reference paper somewhere flat and accessible while you work — not tucked away. Once you've painted over a section of canvas, those numbers are gone, and it's easy to lose your place if you've stepped away. The paper reference is what keeps you oriented.
Match your brush to what you're painting. A bigger brush in a small detailed area tends to bleed over the lines, and a tiny brush in a large open section takes forever. Most of us have a handful of old brushes around — this is a good reason to pull a few different sizes out and keep them nearby.
Both working methods — by number or by section — are genuinely valid. I lean toward working by number because I find a rhythm in it, almost meditative, but if you prefer to watch one part of the image take shape before moving to the next, work by section. There's no wrong answer.
One thing worth knowing: the kit doesn't come with brushes. It's an easy assumption that it would, but it doesn't. If you don't already have a basic set, pick up a few different sizes before your kit arrives.
Once you're finished, you don't need a stretched canvas frame — a flat picture frame works beautifully if you trim the canvas down to size.
Paint-by-numbers sits in the same headspace as coloring books. You're not composing anything from scratch; you're following what's already mapped out. For me, that's exactly the point — it's quiet, repetitive, grounding. Late in the evening when I want to wind down, this is what I'll be doing.
That's what makes a custom kit like this different from ordering a print. The time spent with the image, working through it slowly, is part of what it becomes.
