What Is a Mystery Mosaic? Color by Number Explained

You may have seen the phrases "mystery mosaic", "pixel color by number" or "hidden picture" on coloring books. They all describe the same simple idea: a grid of squares, each with a code, that turns into a finished picture as you color.

How a mystery mosaic works

1. Every square holds a code, which is a number or a letter.
2. A color key tells you which color belongs to each code.
3. You fill every square with the right color.
4. As the colors build up, the picture appears, and you often cannot guess the subject until you are well into the page. That is the "mystery".

How is it different from regular color by number?

Classic color by number has large irregular areas with a number inside each one. A mystery mosaic is made of equal squares, like pixel art or cross stitch. That makes the picture look like a mosaic, and it makes the work easy to do one small step at a time.

Why people enjoy it

• No decisions about color. The page tells you what to do, so you can relax.
• Small wins. Each color you finish changes the picture.
• A real result. At the end you have a finished picture to display or give away.

Black backgrounds and color pop

Some books, including our Cozy Christmas Color by Number, print the background in black, so you only color the picture. The result is that colors look bright and you avoid endless rows of one color.

Where to start

Try a free page first. Read the beginner guide, print an Easy page and color it with what you already have.