Cat with a Pearl Earring Famous Art Parody Paint by Numbers Kit by Ideyka KHO6687

Paint a blue-eyed white cat in a gold turban and pearl earring, a playful take on Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring. Cat with a Pearl Earring 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: the idea of painting by numbers goes back further than you might think: Renaissance masters such as Leonardo da Vinci are said to have numbered areas of a picture so their apprentices knew which color went where. 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 18 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, 18 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: 30 x 40 cm (11.8 x 15.7 in). It looks right at home in a living room, a study or a hallway, and makes a thoughtful gift for an art lover.