How to Make Paint by Numbers with Photoshop

Making a paint by numbers masterpiece out of a photo is easier than you think with the right tools. Whether you’re looking to create a unique piece of art for yourself or as a gift for someone special, Photoshop is the perfect program to turn your photos into a paint by numbers project. With a little bit of patience and the right tools, you’ll be able to create a stunning image that you can then turn into a paint by numbers masterpiece.

Step 1: Prepare Your Photo

The first step in making a paint by numbers project out of a photo is to prepare the photo. Before you start using Photoshop, you’ll want to make sure that your photo is properly sized and cropped. Depending on the size of your paint by numbers project, you may need to resize the photo to make sure all the details are visible. You’ll also want to crop any unnecessary elements from the photo to keep the focus on the main image.

Step 2: Use the Image Trace Tool

Once you have your photo prepared, you can start using the Image Trace tool in Photoshop. This tool will allow you to create a vector version of your photo, which is essential for making a paint by numbers project. To use the Image Trace tool, open your photo in Photoshop and select the Image Trace option from the menu. You’ll be presented with a few different options, but the default settings should work just fine. When you’re finished, click the “Trace” button to create your vector version of the photo.

Step 3: Create a Color Palette

The next step in creating a paint by numbers project is to create a color palette. This will determine how many colors you’ll be using and how they’ll be arranged. To create a color palette, open the Color Picker in Photoshop and select the colors you want to use. You can select any combination of colors you want, but you’ll want to make sure that you have enough colors to create a clear image. Once you’ve chosen your colors, you can save the palette and start creating your paint by numbers project.

Step 4: Generate the Paint by Numbers Map

Once you’ve created your color palette, you’ll be ready to generate the paint by numbers map. This map will determine which areas of the image will be filled with which color. To create the map, open the Image Trace tool again and select the “Generate Paint by Numbers Map” option. You’ll be presented with a few different options, but the default settings should work just fine. When you’re finished, click the “Generate” button to create your paint by numbers map.

Step 5: Fill in the Colors

The last step in creating a paint by numbers project is to fill in the colors. To do this, select the area of the image that you want to color and then select the color from your palette. You can also use the “Fill” tool to quickly fill in large areas of the image with the same color. When you’re finished, you can save and export your image to be printed out or used as a digital project.

Conclusion

Creating a paint by numbers masterpiece out of a photo is easier than you think with the right tools. With a little bit of patience and the right tools, you can turn your photos into a stunning paint by numbers project that you can then turn into a unique piece of art. All you need is Photoshop and the steps outlined above to create a beautiful project that you can be proud of. Good luck and happy creating!