Virgin Mary Byzantine Icon Paint by Numbers

Virgin Mary Byzantine icon paint by numbers kit: Mother and Child on pale ochre

This Byzantine icon shows the Virgin holding the Child on her left arm. A deep burgundy veil covers her head and falls over her shoulder, and a blue under-veil frames the face beneath it. The beige robe falls in regular folds to the bottom of the portrait canvas. Golden halos stand out against the pale ochre background, which stays plain so the eye goes straight to the faces. The Child wears a light tunic and rests two fingers on the edge of the veil. The printed outline separates every colour area, so each shape is clear before you pick up a brush. The design belongs to our religious paint by numbers range and is rated intermediate: most of the canvas is medium areas, with fine details on the faces and halos.

Tips for painting this design

Start with the pale ochre background. It covers the largest areas and goes on quickly with the wide brush. Then paint the burgundy red veil and the blue under-veil. Leave the faces and hands until last: they are the smallest areas, and the skin tones have to be mixed over a small surface. The golden halos need a clean edge, so use the fine brush and follow the printed outline. Expect around 12 to 30 hours in total, depending on the size. The kit comes in 9 sizes from 20x30 to 60x80 cm, with 24, 36 or 48 colours depending on the option. Choose the 40x50 cm or 50x70 cm to keep the facial features clear. If you have never painted by numbers before, a first project from our easy paint by numbers kits will make this icon less demanding.

Sizes, colours and painting time

The design comes in 20x30 to 60x80 cm (9 sizes). You choose a kit of 24, 36 or 48 colours, on rolled canvas, with a wooden frame to assemble or with the canvas already mounted on its frame (except in 50x70 and 60x80 cm, delivered rolled). Allow around 12 to 30 h depending on the size.

What's in the kit

• Canvas:The printed linen canvas carries the outlines of the Virgin, the Child, the burgundy veil and the halos on a pale ochre background.
• Paint:The numbered acrylic pots hold the burgundy red, gold, beige, blue and brown used for the veil, the robe and the ornaments.
• Brushes:The fine brush draws the golden ornaments and the facial features, the medium brush covers the veil, and the wide brush lays down the ochre background.
• Guide:The printed paper guide lets you check the numbers for the veil, the beige robe and the halos.
• Optional:The wooden frame to assemble stretches the printed canvas, so you paint the Virgin and Child on a flat surface. You can also choose it already mounted on its frame, ready to hang.

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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 finished picture on the wall.

Mounted canvas

The canvas arrives already stretched on its wooden frame. You start painting right away and hang the picture on the wall.