Sunflower in the Dark Still Life Paint by Numbers Kit by Ideyka KHO3330

Paint a dark blue vase of golden sunflowers against a charcoal background. Sunflower in the Dark is a paint by numbers kit for adults by Ideyka, printed on a natural canvas that is already stretched over a wooden frame, so you can start painting the moment you open the box.

A little painter's folklore: still-life painters of the Dutch Golden Age put flowers that bloom in different seasons into one bouquet, a little impossible garden only paint could make; painting blooms that never wilt is a tradition centuries old. The modern paint by numbers kit took off in the 1950s, when millions of people discovered they could paint a picture worth hanging without ever having taken an art class.

Why this kit: if you have always said you cannot draw, the numbered outline does the drawing for you; you just match each number to its paint pot and the picture appears shape by shape. With 20 colors it is a satisfying project for beginners and experienced painters alike.

In the box: a pre-printed natural canvas on a wooden stretcher with gallery-wrapped edges, 20 numbered acrylic paints, nylon art brushes, a color reference sheet with the numbered outline, a checklist and step-by-step instructions. Made in Ukraine. Not included: a cup of water, paper towels and a varnish if you want a glossy finish.

How to paint: start with the darkest colors or the largest areas, work one number at a time, and paint from the top of the canvas down so your hand does not smudge wet paint. Close each pot after use so the paint does not dry out, and rinse the brush in water between colors. When the paint is dry the canvas is ready to hang as it is, no frame needed; the colors of the finished painting may differ slightly from the photo.

Size: 40 x 40 cm (15.7 x 15.7 in). It looks right at home in a kitchen, a dining room or a sunny bedroom, and makes a thoughtful gift for a mom, a grandma or a friend who loves flowers.