Our Design Process: How Real Artists (Not AI) Turn Your Photo into a Canvas
Article Summary
In this definitive guide, founder William Murdock provides a transparent, behind-the-scenes look at our artisan-led process for creating a custom paint by numbers kit. Discover the expert steps our real artists take, from photo assessment to color palette creation, to transform your cherished memory into a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.
One of the most common questions we receive is, "How do you actually turn my photo into a paint by numbers kit?" It's a fantastic question, because the answer gets to the very heart of what makes our custom kits different, and superior.
In an age of automation, many companies use simple software to convert your photo. We don't. We believe your memories deserve the care and attention of a real artist. As the founder of Paint On Numbers, I want to give you a transparent, behind-the-scenes look at our human-first design process, so you can understand the expert artistry that goes into every single custom kit we create.
Step 1: The Artist's Review & Composition
The moment you upload your photo for a Custom Kit, it's assigned to a professional digital artist on our team, not a machine. Their first job is to be your creative partner.
Photo Assessment and Enhancement
The artist personally reviews your photo based on the principles in our Perfect Photo Guide. They look at:
- Clarity and Focus: Can they see the fine details needed for a great portrait?
- Lighting and Shadow: Are the subjects well-lit? Can the shadows be translated into paintable sections?
If there are any issues, we contact you directly. If the photo is great, the artist then carefully crops it to create the most powerful and balanced composition, ensuring your main subject is the clear hero of the painting.
Step 2: Curating Your Custom Color Palette
This is where true artistry makes all the difference. An automated program will often produce unnatural colors, especially for skin tones or fur. Our artists create your palette by hand.
The artist meticulously samples colors from your original photo and reduces them to the 24, 36, or 48 essential shades needed to capture its essence. They make expert decisions to ensure that skin tones are natural, fur has depth, and the most important details are preserved. This human touch is our guarantee of a realistic and beautiful result.
Step 3: The Final Digital Mapping
The final step is the most painstaking. The artist manually maps out every single numbered section on the canvas. They pay close attention to the small details that bring a portrait to life, like the sparkle in an eye, the subtle shadow under a chin, or the texture of a piece of clothing. This artisan-led process is our promise of quality and the reason our custom kits produce such stunning, personal art.
Experience the Artisan Difference
Ready to turn your cherished photo into a true, one-of-a-kind masterpiece? Trust our artists to handle your memory with the care it deserves.
Create Your Custom Kit