Highland Cow with Robin in Snow Paint by Numbers

Highland Cow with Robin in Snow Paint by Numbers

A russet Highland cow fills the centre of this square picture, with long curved horns sweeping out on both sides of its head. A small robin sits on the left horn, and its red breast stands out against the brown coat. The ground is snow white, broken by frosted vegetation and bare winter trees. The sky shifts from cobalt blue at the top to soft lavender near the horizon, which gives the scene its early morning sunrise tones. The style is impressionist, with thick brushstrokes suggested across the coat and the snow. The finest detail sits in the fringe over the cow's eyes and in the robin's feathers. The level is intermediate: most areas are medium-sized, with some fine work around the face. Browns, blues and a single red make the colour scheme easy to read, and it suits a hallway, living room or bedroom. The robin also makes it a good winter or Christmas gift for anyone who likes Highland cows. The kit includes a printed linen canvas with numbered outlines, numbered acrylic paints, three brushes and a paper guide. If you like this subject, see our full Highland cow paint by numbers collection.

Tips for painting this design

Start with the sky, working from the cobalt blue at the top down into the lavender, so the soft blend stays clean. Paint the snow next, and leave the frosted shrubs and bare trees until the white is dry. Use the wide brush for the sky and open snow, the medium brush for the cow's body and the trees, and the fine brush for the fringe, the horns and the robin. Build the russet coat in short strokes that follow the direction of the hair rather than in flat colour. The robin is small, so keep the red breast to a few careful touches. A 36 or 48 colour set gives you more browns and greys for the coat and the winter branches, which helps the impressionist look. For more animal subjects, browse our animal paint by numbers kits.

Sizes, colours and painting time

The design comes in 15x15 to 70x80 cm (12 sizes). You choose a 24, 36 or 48 colour kit, on rolled canvas, with or without a wooden frame to assemble. Allow around 12 to 30 h depending on the size.

What's in the kit

• Canvas:A printed linen canvas with numbered outlines of the Highland cow, the robin and the snowy winter scene.
• Paint:Numbered acrylic pots covering russet brown, cobalt blue, lavender, robin red and snow white, with the browns and greys the coat needs.
• Brushes:Fine for the robin, the horns and the shaggy fringe, medium for the cow's body and bare trees, large for the sky and open snow.
• Guide:A paper guide showing the finished picture and the colour chart for each numbered area.
• Optional:A wooden frame to assemble, so the snowy scene can hang straight on the wall instead of arriving rolled.

Living roomChild's bedroomHallwayBedroomHome office

Without frame

The canvas arrives rolled in a tube. You paint it flat and frame it afterwards if you wish.

With frame

Wooden stretcher bars to assemble stretch the canvas. You paint on a taut surface and hang the picture on the wall.