What Do You Need Besides a Canvas By Numbers Kit? Brushes, Acrylic Medium, and Extra Paint Explained

Extra Paint Kit is worth considering if you often run short on key colors, but most Canvas by Numbers sets only need a better brush, careful paint handling, and sometimes a little acrylic medium to finish well. For most people, the smartest approach is to start with the kit as-is, then add supplies only when the painting style or design actually calls for them.

If you are choosing between classic paint by numbers scenes and bead-based diamond art, the extras you need are very different. And if you want the current deal before you buy supplies or a new kit, grab the code rather than guessing at today’s price.

When an Extra Paint Kit actually helps

An Extra Paint Kit is not mandatory for every project, but it can save a frustrating finish when you know you are likely to use more paint than average.

It is most useful when:

• You apply paint in thick coats instead of thin, controlled layers
• You are working on large background areas that can soak up more paint
• You revisit sections often for blending or coverage touch-ups
• You leave paint pots open too long and lose paint to drying
• You are painting a detailed reproduction where clean opacity matters

This matters more on intricate art styles. A design inspired by Vincent Van Gogh or Starry Night Paint often has many small transitions and visible brushwork, so people sometimes use more paint correcting edges or strengthening darks and highlights.

If you are still deciding whether to order extras now or later, it is usually safer to start with the base kit and check the latest price on the store page instead of assuming you need every add-on upfront.

Brushes: the first upgrade most painters notice

If there is one add-on we recommend before anything else, it is a brush upgrade. The standard brush gets the job done, but a slightly better detail brush can improve control more than an extra bottle of medium.

What to look for:

• A fine round brush for tiny numbered sections
• A small flat brush for larger blocks and straighter edges
• Soft but springy bristles that hold shape after rinsing
• A comfortable handle if you paint for long sessions

This is especially helpful on detailed kits such as Flowery Depths, Cassone Church, or Venus (detail), where clean borders matter. On simpler, broader-fill designs like mandala, the stock brush may be enough for much of the canvas.

A good brush also reduces paint waste. When you can place color more accurately, you use less paint correcting mistakes, which can reduce the need for an Extra Paint Kit later.

Acrylic medium vs water for thick or drying paint

Acrylic medium can help, but it is not a magic fix for every paint problem. For most paint by numbers kits, plain water is enough for small adjustments. Medium becomes useful when paint is thick, tacky, or losing smooth flow and you do not want to over-thin it.

Use water when:

• The paint is only slightly thick
• You need a small flow improvement
• You are working in tiny areas and want minimal change

Use acrylic medium when:

• The paint feels pasty and drags on the canvas
• You need smoother coverage over a larger area
• You want to extend paint carefully without making it too transparent
• You are reviving older paint that still is not smooth after a drop of water

The key is restraint. Too much water can weaken coverage. Too much medium can change how the paint sits and dries. Add a tiny amount, test on a small section, and adjust slowly.

This applies to paint projects, not diamond kits. If you are picking between painting and crystal placement, Mini Diamond Kit or Giverny - Diamond Painting need different accessories entirely, mostly around storage, trays, and wax rather than paint care.

Best extras by project type

Different Canvas by Numbers styles need different support supplies. Here is the practical way we look at it.

If you are shopping by art style, famous works like monet, Vincent Van Gogh, and venus painting often reward patience and brush precision. Simpler decorative projects can be more forgiving.

Who should buy extra supplies right away

Not everyone should build a full accessory bundle on day one. Usually, one or two small upgrades are enough.

Buy extras immediately if you:

• Know you paint slowly and often revive paint over weeks
• Prefer richer, more opaque coverage instead of thin layers
• Are choosing a highly detailed canvas with many micro-sections
• Have used paint by numbers kits before and run out of favorite tones

Wait and see if you:

• Are new to paint by numbers
• Usually finish projects quickly
• Paint in thin layers and keep lids tightly closed
• Are buying a simpler beginner-friendly design

For a first project, we would put spending priority in this order:

1. Better detail brush
2. Proper rinsing and storage habits
3. Small bottle of acrylic medium if needed
4. Extra Paint Kit only if your painting style justifies it

That order gives you better results without overbuying.

Simple habits that make the included supplies last longer

Most supply problems come from paint handling, not from the kit being incomplete. Before buying more, improve the way you use what is already included.

Try these habits:

• Open only the paint pot you are using
• Close lids firmly between color changes
• Rinse brushes often and reshape the tip after washing
• Work from light to dark or small to large sections to stay organized
• Use thin layers first, then add a second coat only where coverage needs it
• Keep the canvas clean and dry between sessions

These habits matter on every style, whether you are painting a floral piece like Flowery Depths, a scenic work like Cassone Church, or a classic-inspired design such as Venus (detail). They also help you judge more accurately whether an Extra Paint Kit is really necessary or whether better technique solves the issue.

For most buyers, the bottom line is simple: start with the kit, upgrade your brush first, use acrylic medium only when paint texture truly calls for it, and add extra paint only if your project or painting habits make it worthwhile. If you are ready to buy from Canvas by Numbers, see the current offer here so you can compare kits and accessories in one place.