Do You Remember Paint-by-Number Oil Paint Kits?

After World War II ended, many Americans made more money and had more leisure time for hobbies and entertaining. 

In the early 1950s, the paint-by-number concept was created and promoted on television. Oil painting became a popular hobby even if you weren't an artist.  

Each paint-by-number kit included two brushes and small containers of different colored oil paints, each with an assigned number. The painting board had a scene drawn out in light colored lines and areas were enclosed according to the color they should be painted.  Inside each enclosed area was the number of the color you were supposed to use.

Using a paint-by-number kit was enjoyable and relaxing, and it was fun to watch your picture develop right before your eyes (sort of like a jigsaw puzzle).

Many people today collect old paint-by-number kits and completed paintings.

Photo by landschaft on flickr

I attended grade school in the 1960s and had several paint by number kits.  

Back then, the paints were oil paints rather than the acrylic paints used today.  You needed linseed oil to moisten the paint if you left the top off too long, and turpentine to clean your brushes. I'd be more sensitive to the smells of paint and turpentine today, but back then I liked the smells. 

I don't have any of the paintings I completed anymore, but I sure was proud of them at the time.

When I later attended high school, I took an art class each year.  I liked all mediums of art, but especially oil painting.  

I think it'd be fun to paint with a paint-by-number kit now that I'm an adult.