How To Paint Without Lines

When it comes to paint-by-number kits, you have an easy time painting within the lines because the guide helps you place the colors. However, some people don’t have the same excitement for it. In this article, we discuss how to paint without lines.

A woman sitting on a wooden floor in the midst of abstract illustrations on white papers

Paint your own photo with a paint by numbers custom kit

We talk about paint-by-number kits a lot on our website, and we want everyone to try them out. But if you’re tired of painting within the line, then you may want to know more about how to paint without lines. 

Painting from scratch may take some getting used to if you have always painted paint-by-number kits, but we think that this is a new adventure if you’re trying to have a creative hobby to take a break from your regular working routine.

We think that painting is a lot of fun, and while it’s difficult at first, once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to create a lot of great images. Everyone starts everywhere, even with painting. 

All you need to do is get used to the techniques, and we assure you that you will get somewhere with the skills you learn. You can also perfect your blending and layering skills from paint-by-number kits. 

They serve as a great practice, and we think that these are a great option if you don’t want to take an art class. 

Let us know what you think of these kits and if you are ready to paint without art guidelines.

Why You Should Try Painting

An abstract background of bright oil painting with flows

Paint your own photo with a paint by numbers custom kit

Before we get into teaching you how to paint without lines, we’re going to tell you why you should paint. We think that painting is a relaxing activity that you should try when you’re stressed out. A lot of times, life is full of stress, which is why having an activity to do is going to let you release the stress. 

Painting is one of the easiest activities to get into because of how easy it is to access the materials. We think that painting is also super easy to learn when you have access to video tutorials online.

Since the pandemic is still ongoing, we think that a lot of people would benefit from online tutorials, which are available everywhere. 

Or, you can also invest in an art class online. Platforms like Skillshare allow you to learn how to paint for a small fee, but we think they’re worth it. 


How To Paint Without Lines

An abstract backdrop of painting with wavy fluid

Now that we’ve gone over why you should paint, let’s talk about how to paint without lines. It can be annoying to have a brush leave streaks on your painting, and it can be hard to smooth out if you layer too much paint. Here’s how to avoid streak marks on your canvas:

  1. Prime your canvas with Gesso: We all know the benefits of priming your canvas when you paint. A lot of people think that priming is just an extra step, but it does help when you want your painting to look smooth.

  2. Avoid using harsh brushes: Every paint medium is different, so different mediums require different brushes. Brushes with stiff bristles are more likely to leave brush strokes, which is why acrylic brushes have soft bristles.

  3. Make sure the paint is thick enough: The problem with acrylic and watercolor paint is that sometimes the pigments aren’t as opaque, especially when mixed with water. The best way to avoid too many layers and streaky outcomes are by making sure your paint is thick enough to give pigment but thin enough that you can blend it out.

  4. Invest in soft acrylic paint: You need to paint in thinner layers to avoid ridges from thick paint. This is best done with soft acrylic, and while they cost a little extra, you do get better results.

  5. Make sure to balance the water you use: Too much paint can make the layers too thick, and too little paint can yield transparent layers, so you need to strike the perfect balance between water and paint too. 


Key Takeaways

A blue red abstract painting

Paint your own photo with a paint by numbers custom kit

Streaks on your painting can be frustrating if you want to have a smooth image, which is why we hope that you learn how to paint without lines. Since small canvases aren’t as easy to smooth over with a roller, painting with a primed canvas is going to be your best friend. 

We think that learning how to smooth over your painting is important if you want them to look good, but some people prefer the texture. Let us know what you think of these painting tips and you practice these skills when you’re learning how to paint more often. 

Paint your own photo with a paint by numbers custom kit