Step-by-Step Guide to Mastering Diamond Painting

Have you heard about the hot new hobby that’s gaining popularity worldwide right now?

It’s called diamond art or diamond painting, and it’s captivating every age group. Millions of people from all walks of life have begun to enjoy this relaxing yet exciting and mindful hobby. 

If you plan to try your hand at this latest crafting mania or want to know more before you plunge in, read on. It’s relaxing, mindful, interesting and lots of fun.

Above all, at the end of every project, you have a gorgeous piece of wall décor to frame and either show off on your own wall or to present as a lovely gift for someone you love.

And pssst… if your work becomes all the rage on social media, you could even monetize it and rake in a tidy sum!

What Is Diamond Painting?

Diamond painting is thought to have originated in Asia, though it gained popularity only after it found its way to Europe and America.

Today there are clubs and groups dedicated to creating diamond art which enjoys universal appeal. 

This craft cleverly blends two favourite hobbies – Paint By Numbers and Cross-stitch embroidery. It’s also similar to mosaic art, where you assemble a number of small pieces to form a larger picture.

Though it’s called diamond painting, no painting or paint is involved. You can buy your diamond art kits from the nearest hobby centre or get a great selection of kits online. 

Diamond art or crystal art involves sticking very small shiny beads or rhinestones on a pre-printed adhesive surface. The design and colour choices are given in the instructions.

The final product is a gorgeous, sparkling piece of art that shimmers and reflects colours as it catches the light. You don’t have to mess with sticky glue or paint because the stones can stick to the surface directly. 

What Does The Kit Contain?

The kit contains everything you need to complete one picture or design. All you need to do is follow the instructions carefully.

Then, if you have time and patience, you can complete each kit in a few days. Or you can take it slow and work on it whenever you can. 

You may find different types of labels on kits sold by specialised brands of diamond painting such as Figuredart. Some may have a sticker that says “Partial Drill” or “Full Drill”.

This refers to the area of the surface that contains the design. Partial drill kits have more blank areas, while the design covers the entire surface in full drill kits.

Partial drills are great for beginners, kids and those who want to finish the design quickly. Full drill paintings may take longer and are for more advanced crafters.

The level of difficulty may be indicated in terms of “Suitable For Age -” They may also be labelled 3D or 5D. This refers to the number of facets on the surface. 5D gives you more shimmer. 

In the kit, you will find the following:

• Canvas or board with a pre-printed design and adhesive surface
• Square or round “diamonds” or resin beads/stones (in separate bags sorted according to colour)
• Tweezers to pick up the diamonds
• Tray
• Stylus
• Wax pad (to help pick the diamonds)
• Modge Podge gloss for final varnish

Step By Step Guide

 Quick Tip: If you’re a beginner, choose a simpler design and one that has round “diamonds.” They are easier to pick up and faster to stick, though they do leave a small space between them.

Once you feel you’ve had enough practice, choose complex designs with more colours and square “diamonds”. These have a snap feature that helps align them more closely.

The challenging part of working with square diamonds is that each has its own orientation, and you have to place them correctly to avoid spacing.  

1. Flatten the canvas completely. If you’re working with a board, this won’t be a problem.

2. Lay the canvas or board on a flat surface. Ensure that this place won’t be disturbed until you finish. The area should have enough room to work in and for your supplies. Pick a well-lit area that gets natural light in the day and enough light at night if you plan to work late. 

3. Assemble all the tools in the kit and make sure that you have everything you need.

4. Plan ahead how and where you mean to start. Start at the top and work downwards to avoid disturbing the diamonds already set

5. Determine which colour diamonds you need first and pour a small amount of them into your tray.

6. Peel back a small section of the design surface (where you want to start) so that the glue on it doesn’t dry out

7. Apply a tiny bit of wax on your diamond kit pen or stylus

8. Pick up a diamond flat side down, and stick it on the design in the right place

9. Work your way systematically

10. Finish the entire design

11. Spray with Modge Podge to seal in the diamonds

12. Wait till the varnish dries

13. Frame your board or canvas with a nice frame

Techniques and Tips

• There are different techniques that you can use to work. You can go colour by colour, row by row, or block by block. 
• Organise your diamonds, and don’t mix the colours.
• If your cat or dog wants to know what’s going on, it can spell disaster when the entire box of diamonds falls to the ground. 
• If you have babies or infants at home, make sure that the kit is out of reach when you’re working on it. They can accidentally swallow the diamonds or push them into their nostrils.