The demand for retro art continues to grow. Kitsch is cool and nowhere is it easier to add a bit of vintage fun to your home décor than with dogs.

One area to look in for a bit of instant kitsch is the vintage Paint-By-Numbers (PBN to enthusiasts) paintings.

Vintage PBN Cocker Spaniel dog in wood frame, $43 on eBay.

Dating back to the 50s and once reviled by the art world, paint-by-number paintings represent post-war popular American culture.

They were mostly made by suburban amateurs from kits received as birthday or Christmas gifts.

Although Paint-By-Numbers as a concept had existed during the 1920s, these were in the main, produced for children. But in 1951, inspired by a story where it is claimed Leonardo da Vinci assigned numbered portions of paintings for his assistants to complete, artist and designer Dan Robbins believed a similar system could appeal to adults.

With the support of Max S Klein, owner of the Palmer Paint Company, the Craft Master Paint-By-Numbers kit was born.

Two poodle dog Paint By Number framed pictures, sold on eBay for $325.

By 1954, 12 million kits by Craft Master, Masterpiece and other labels had been sold. It was claimed more PBN paintings hung in Americans' homes than original works of art.

Craft Master promised that anyone could "be a Rembrandt" but as with everything art, the quality of the work varies enormously.

Paintings can still be found in thrift stores, garage sales and flea markets for peanuts but a growing market of hungry buyers are eagerly bidding for paint-by-numbers works on eBay and other online auction areas.

Lassie, is that you? PBN rough coated collie dog sold for $41 on eBay.

Market prices depend on the usual criteria which include size, quality of artistry, rarity of the kit, presence of a vintage wooden frame, age of the painting, signature and theme. If the painting is oil on canvas that is a plus, as later paint-by-number kits had replaced oils with acrylics and canvas for premounted board.

And as with any dog collecting area, the breed and the number of keen collectors in that genre will have the biggest influence on price.

A variety of Paint-By-Numbers dogs are always available on eBay. Check them out below: