Diamond Painting: The Ultimate Beginner's Guide
New to Diamond Painting? Have no fear! You're in the exact right place. And we're SO glad to have you!
Diamond Painting is a new craft hobby that's a mix between Paint By Numbers and Cross Stitch. With Diamond Painting, you apply thousands of tiny resin "diamonds" to a coded adhesive canvas to create shimmering Diamond Art.
Each Diamond Painting Kit comes with everything you need to get started. Take stock of your canvas, set of diamonds, toolkit and wax pad.
Roll your canvas out on a perfectly smooth and flat surface. Kitchen and dining room tables work wonders.
Determine which section of your Diamond Painting canvas you want to start painting. Select the appropriate diamonds and pour a small amount into the grooved tray. Shake lightly so that diamonds shift upright.
Peel back the plastic film on the pink wax pads and apply a small amount of wax to the tip of your Diamond Pen. The wax acts combines with the static cling and acts almost like a Diamond magnet.
Each color diamond corresponds to a specific symbol or character on the canvas. Check the legend on the side of the canvas to figure out which symbol corresponds to each color. Colors are denoted using DMC threads. Peel back the protective film covering in small sections and begin painting. DO NOT REMOVE THIS PLASTIC FILM ALL AT ONCE.
Work your way across the canvas diamond by diamond until you have a gorgeous DIY Diamond Painting! To increase the longevity of your Diamond Painting, consider sealing it before you put it on display! Diamond Paintings were meant to be enjoyed from afar - take a step back and marvel at the beauty.
In Diamond Painting, you will often come across the terms "Square Drill" and "Round Drill." In Diamond Painting, a "drill" is simply another word for "diamond." So when we consider Round vs. Square Drill, we're referring to the physical shape of the diamonds.
In choosing between Square and Round Drills, it's important to know that there are no right answers. Each has its pros and cons. Your goal should be to choose whichever shape that you think yields the most beautiful result with the most satisfying process.
After placing thousands of diamonds, you may want to switch things up. There a number of different Diamond Painting Techniques and strategies that everyone can follow!
Imagine the alternating black and white squares on a traditional checkerboard. Apply the same method to your Diamond Painting to mix things up a bit on areas with large amounts of the same color. The real upside comes when you fill in the gaps - SO satisfying when everything snaps into place.
If you have a large block on your canvas with the same color, flip your pen upside-down and get working with your Multi-Placer tool! Using the wider head, apply 3 or 5 diamonds at a time and go quickly Row By Row. This method ensures your diamonds line up easily.
This one doesn't require much explaining - just work your way across the canvas one color at a time! The downside here is that the exposed areas might get less sticky over time. But on the plus side, filling in all of the blank spots is that much more satisfying than going row by row, for example.
Put yourself in the shoes of a farmer and divide up large blocks of the same color into little "plots" that you'll "harvest" on at a time! Are we stretching the metaphor too far yet? Keep each rectangle just wide enough that you can place 3 or 5 diamonds with the wide end of your Diamond Pen.
Each Diamond Painting Kit comes with everything you need to get started!
If your canvas has creases, folds, or other imperfections in it, apply weight for an extended period of time. to flatten it out.
Option 1: Put The Canvas Under Your Mattress. Try using your bodyweight overnight to iron out any creases and wrinkles in the canvas.
Option 2: Put Heavy Books On The Canvas: The same principle applies here - simply apply weight in the form of heavy books for a day or two.
Option 3: Cut Out Creases With A Crafting Knife: If there are stubborn creases, simply lightly go over them with an X-Acto knife to release any air trapped between the canvas and its adhesive layer.
From professional framing to DIY foam board displays, the sky is the limit when it comes to displaying your finished Diamond painting. You'll want to select an option that's appropriate for your budget and time constraints. Here are a few of our favorites:
For more of a DIY approach to mounting, grab yourself a set of Stretcher Bars. The instructions are super easy to follow and result in a beautiful display with some added depth.
This method is very low effort and can be done in a matter of minutes. Just grab yourself a pair of Wooden Magnetic Hanger Bars cut to the exact size of your Diamond Painting and clamp them to the top!