What is Diamond Art Painting? Diamond art painting is a relatively new hobby that is taking the craft world by storm.
In this article, you will find out exactly what diamond art painting is. How to do it? Along with some other great info relating to the craft.
What is Diamond Art Painting?
Painting with diamonds is comparable to ‘paint by number’ activities. Or similar to following a premade embroidery pattern. The main difference is that the crafter ‘paints’ with small plastic diamonds.
Diamond painting canvases are covered in letters, numbers, or symbols, which code of a particular color. It is the diamond painter’s task to match the symbol to the correct color diamond and fix it to the sticky canvas. The canvas is covered in an adhesive that holds the diamonds in place.
Diamond painters normally use a special pen to pick up and place the diamonds onto the canvas. The nib of the pen is covered in a mild adhesive clay/ wax, allowing the diamonds to be collected and placed.
What is Diamond Art Painting? The Benefits
Diamond painting requires an awareness of the present moment. As a result, many people have chosen the activity as a way to practice mindfulness.
Mindfulness is said to improve mental well-being by helping people become more conscious of their thoughts and feelings in the present moment. It helps train our minds to let go of the thoughts that we are replaying.
Another great benefit of diamond painting is how it helps to develop and support fine motor skills.
Fine motor skills are essential in completing day-to-day tasks such as writing, cooking, or even buttoning our clothes. However, as we age these fine motor actions can become more difficult. Therefore, diamond art painting is a great way to continue practicing these important movements.
And on the flip side, young children also need to practice fine motor skills as part of their development. So, diamond painting is a great craft for all ages!
If you are interested in Diamond Art painting kits for children, please visit our blog on the 10 Best Diamond Painting Kits for Kids.
What is Diamond Art Painting? What Do I Need
If you are thinking about taking up the hobby, then you might be wondering what you will need to get started.
Luckily for beginners, all the essential equipment usually comes included in a diamond painting kit.
Kits generally include:
- A canvas
- Diamonds
- Pen and sticky wax
- Diamond tray
All you need in addition is a place to craft. You’ll need a flat surface in a well-lit space, where you can find a comfortable seating position.
As you progress, you might decide to invest in some more specialist equipment. Some diamond painters like to use light pads. These will help to illuminate the canvas and make matching colors and placing the diamonds easier. The light pads can also be adjusted meaning you can find a comfortable angle to work at. If you are considering a light pad, check out our buyer’s guide on the 15 Best Light Pads for Diamond Painters.
Choosing a Diamond Painting Kit:
When it comes to choosing a diamond art kit, much of the decision comes down to personal preference. However, there are just a few considerations that you might want to be aware of.
As you trawl through the kits online you might notice the term drill. And, when used in the context of diamond painting it simply means the diamond.
So, you might see it used in the context of round drill or square drill. Essentially, this is describing the shape of the diamonds.
The shape of the diamonds matter for various reasons:
- Round Drill
- The placement of round diamonds doesn’t need to be as exact. They are therefore easier for beginners to work with and quicker too.
- The finished canvas will have spaces between the diamonds, so the finished piece is better viewed from afar.
- Square Drill
- The square diamonds line up side-by-side leaving no gaps on the canvas. This creates a very clean and finished look.
- The square diamonds require more accurate placement. This can take some practice if you are just starting out. And, it will generally take more time to complete.
You might also notice that some diamond kits are advertised as either 3D or 5D diamonds. These terms refer to the number of facets each diamond has. 5D diamonds have more facets than 3D. They will therefore bounce light off in more directions, creating a more sparkly effect. So really it depends on your preference, and how sparkly you want your art to appear.
If you are interested in finding a diamond art kit perfect for beginners, take a look at our blog titled 8 Best Diamond Art Painting Kits for Beginners.
What is Diamond Art Painting? Top Tips
- Creases
Working on a creased or curled canvas is every diamond painter’s nightmare. To achieve beautiful results, it is really important that your canvas is flat and crease free. So before you begin, unroll your canvas and place it between two flat, heavy objects. Two large books will tend to do the trick.
- Losing Stick
It will take a some time to complete your painting, and over time the sticky canvas may gather dust, fluff or hair. If this happens, don’t panic. Wiping the canvas with a damp lint-free cloth or baby wipe will help to remove dirt and dust and revive the sticky canvas. Also, where possible only remove small amounts of the protective layer at a time. This will mean only small amounts of the adhesive surface are exposed at one time. So, if it is taking you some time to complete the project, the adhesive on the canvas will be preserved.
- Multi-Diamond Applicator
If you have a large area of canvas to cover in one color, a multi-diamond applicator can be a really useful tool. It picks up multiple diamonds and allows you to place them at the same time. It’s a real time saver!
- Tweezers
Mistakes will happen whether you are a beginner or advanced. Have a pair of tweezers nearby to readjust any diamonds that have gone astray.
- Spillages
Spillages are inevitable, and they can be hugely frustrating. Plus, diamond kits usually include just the right amount of diamonds for your project. So the last thing you want is to lose diamonds.
If you do drop your diamonds there are two handy hacks that every diamond paint should know about. First is the magic lint roller. Simply roll the sticky lint across the floor to collect the spilled diamonds. If you’ve had a bit more of a catastrophic spillage and only the vacuum will do, then place a sock on the end of the vacuum pole to collect the diamonds in.
What is Diamond Art Painting Wrapping Up
Well we hope we have answered the question of what is diamond painting and also given you a deeper look into what it takes to become a diamond painter.
If it’s a craft you are considering taking up, don’t forget to check out our other blogs on diamond painting. These will help shed more light on the craft and also guide you in buying some of the best kits available on the market.
What is Diamond Painting FAQs
- Is Diamond Painting Similar to Cross Stitching?
While both crafts involve following a pattern, diamond painting uses resin diamonds instead of thread to create the design. - Can I Create My Own Diamond Painting Design?
Designing your own diamond painting is possible, but it requires specialized software and tools to convert an image into a diamond painting pattern. - How Long Does It Take to Complete a Diamond Painting?
The time to complete a diamond painting depends on the size and complexity of the design and your personal pace. It can range from a few hours to several weeks. - Can I Frame and Hang My Finished Diamond Painting?
Yes, once your diamond painting is complete, you can frame it and proudly display it as a unique piece of art. - What Should I Do If I Run Out of Diamonds?
If you run out of specific diamond colors, most diamond painting kit manufacturers offer replacement drills that you can purchase. - Are Diamond Painting Kits Suitable as Gifts?
Absolutely! Diamond painting kits make thoughtful and creative gifts for craft enthusiasts and art lovers.