What Is Diamond Painting Art?
Diamond Painting Art is a new creative activity that is catching the crafting world by storm. It’s a cross between cross-stitch and paint by numbers. The crafters apply colourful resin rhinestones to vividly printed canvas illustrations. The results are visually stunning mosaic diamond artworks that dazzle, shimmer, and shine.
More simply, Diamond painting is a new art style that breaks down images into patterns similar to cross-stitch. The painters then create the design by placing small, glossy tiles on the canvas. Sometimes known as rhinestones or drills, the tiles are 2.5mm in size and colour-matched to DMC thread colours.
This blog will cover the information you require to get started with your very first Diamond Painting!
What Does A Standard Diamond Art Kit Include?
A standard Diamond Painting kit includes everything you need to get you started! You do not require to buy any extra tools.
The kits include:
- A gridded sticky canvas,
- Pen applicator tool,
- Wax,
- Tray,
- Enough drills to complete your project.
Let’s delve deeper to discuss further the materials provided!
1. The Canvas:
It is an absolute requirement for diamond painting, and the process would be impossible without it. In a diamond kit, the canvas has numerical codes that match the colored resins, dictating their placement on the artboard. It consists of a layer of glue, which holds the resin beads on the canvas together and secures the painting, giving it a fantastic shine!
2. Diamond Applicator Tool:
A diamond applicator tool, sometimes known as an applicator pen, is a cylindrical pen-shaped tool hollow towards the tip. Crafters require the pen applicator tool to pick up diamonds from the tray and deposit them on the canvas. The nib, which holds the diamonds, is coated with glue or wax (discussed later).
Applicator tools are available in three forms:
- Diamond wax pens: Wax pens directly apply wax to the gems. Sharpening an applicator tool when it runs out of wax addresses the problem.
- Diamond wheel pen: On one end of this pen is an adhesive wheel that allows the artist to pick up the diamonds by rolling the pen across the tray indentation. It is a more appropriate and efficient method.
- Diamond drill pens: This is a more classic option available with each diamond painting kit. Dip the tool into the wax or binder before taking up the diamond and laying it on the color-coded canvas.
3. Wax:
Diamond painting kits also include a wax or glue container for adhering the beads to the pens so crafters may position them on the artboard.
4. The Tray:
All diamond painting kits include a tray with thin depressions that help pick up the diamonds by separating them. One end of the tray is dipped To help transfer the beads back into the package.
5. The Diamonds or Drills:
The Diamonds are essentially the most crucial aspect of the entire Diamond Painting process. The diamonds are what make this specific form of art unique!
Each Diamond painting kit comes with packets containing different shades and colours of tiny resin beads. The hues provided depend on those used in the canvas print. The amount of diamonds is enough for you to create a shimmering masterpiece, with sometimes even left-over drills!
Diamonds are available in two categories based on the number of facets: 5D and 3D. 5D diamonds have a brighter, more detailed appearance. On the other hand, 3-D drills have fewer dimensions and therefore give a more straightforward appearance. The diamonds are colour-coded to correspond with the printed numbers on the canvas, resulting in coherent and well-maintained artwork.
Additionally, choosing between the two categories is entirely up to you. However, if you are new to Diamond painting, experts recommend that you try the 3D option. Also, as you do not have to worry about drawing flawlessly straight lines, the drill shape is more accommodating than a 5D diamond painting. After you’ve achieved sufficient experience, you can advance to 5D diamond art.
There are two varieties of Diamonds that you might come across:
- Square Diamonds
Square drills give the artwork a more precise and detailed look. It is ideal for larger canvases that require a significant amount of detail to bring out the beauty of the illustration. Also, the widespread application of the drills is satisfying, and the finished painting has a shinier appearance.
- Round Diamonds
Although the general application of round drills is time-efficient, they create tiny gaps on the canvas, which might give the artwork an incomplete appearance. Additionally, they are ideal for Diamond art kits for children as the overall application is more convenient and ideal for smaller canvases.
Things To Ensure Before Beginning:
- Find a pleasant and well-lit room in which to paint—the smaller the numbers and gaps, the more detailed the design. A magnifying glass and a lamp can come in handy.
- Purchase a comfy painting desk. Long periods of hunching over might be harmful to your back and neck. While painting, it is preferable to change desks, locations, and positions.
- To ensure productivity, clear your desk area and organize your diamonds according to your needs.
Different Canvas Types:
While searching for the perfect Diamond art kit, you might come across two types of canvases; Full-drill and Partial-drill.
The only difference between the two types of canvases is the coverage of diamonds on the canvas surface. Manufacturers code the canvas entirely in a full-drill canvas, and the drills cover the canvas surface fully. On the other hand, in a partial-drill canvas, manufacturers code the canvas partially, and the drills cover some parts.
Full-drill canvas gives a finished appearance. However, it takes more time to complete. Similarly, A partial painting can frequently highlight the beauty of the primary subject while also giving it a three-dimensional appearance. Diamond artists could do this type of painting quickly and easily. However, in terms of how little actual space the diamonds cover, they can appear inexpensive or even disappointing.
How To Paint With Diamonds:
As a novice, we need to make sure that the directions are as essential as possible to comprehend this art’s requirements fully. You can always come up with a distinctive and relaxing piece of art with it. Let’s look at some key stages to help you create your masterpiece by painting with diamonds.
1. Supplies:
Once you have received your Diamond painting kit, make sure to be careful with the material provided. Place the brushes, paint bottles, and canvas on a flat surface to begin. Organizing your workspace could be beneficial. If there are wrinkles on the canvas, use heavy books to flatten it out.
2. Storage:
The kit will contain drills of various colors. Store each of the colored drill types into separate labeled containers to prevent a hustle.
3. Laying Out The Canvas:
Place the canvas on a smooth, clean surface. You’ll see a chart with your diamonds identified with a number that correlates to a symbol painted directly on the canvas. You must match the hue of the diamonds to the signs and place them on the canvas in the correct order.
4. Tiles Or Drills:
To get started, pick a single color diamond. Fill the tray with a small number of diamonds. The diamonds will settle face up so you can pick them up with the applicator if you hold it at an angle and slightly shake it back and forth.
5. Sticky Canvas:
To work on at a time, peel aside a tiny part of the plastic film. Working on a small segment at a time is the best and most efficient method. When you’re not working on the canvas, it’s critical to keep it covered. It quickly dries out if it is left uncovered, and it becomes complicated for you to work. The beads are unable to bind to the canvas.
6. Applicator Tool And Wax:
It is now time to use the wax and pen applicator tool, one of the most fun yet complicated parts of the entire Diamond painting process.
You will find a pink square piece of wax with your kit. Remove the clear plastic off it and dip the tip of the applicator into the wax to fill it.
Dipping the pen in wax enables the drills to bind to the pen applicator tool so that you can place it in its desired position on the canvas.
Always remember to apply a little extra wax if the pen appears to be losing its ability to pick up diamonds.
7. Repeat!
Repeat the steps to create your very own Diamond art!
Different Techniques For Applying The Drills:
Placing the drills on the adhesive canvas can be a little tedious. You might want to switch your Diamond-applying technique sometimes.
Following are some techniques and strategies anyone can use!
1. The Checkerboard Technique:
Consider a typical checkerboard with alternating black and white squares. To vary things up a bit on regions with a lot of the same hue, use the same procedure with your Diamond Painting. When you fill in the gaps, it’s incredibly satisfying to see everything fall into place.
2. Row By Row Technique:
Flip your pen upside-down and start working with your Multi-Placer tool if you have a large part of the same hue on your canvas. Apply 3 or 5 diamonds using the broader head, working quickly, Row By Row. This procedure ensures that your diamonds are perfectly aligned. This strategy saves time when compared to the others.
3. Color By Color Technique:
This one doesn’t need any explanation; work your way across the canvas one color at a time. The disadvantage is that with time, the exposed regions may become less sticky. On the other hand, filling in all blank spaces is far more fulfilling than, say, going row by row.
This technique also keeps it easier to track the progress of the Diamond painting process.
4. The “Farm Plot” Technique:
Metaphorically speaking, similar to a farmer, make small “plots” out of huge blocks of the same hue that you’ll “harvest” one at a time!
This technique is relatively easy to work through if the rectangular boxes are wide enough to fit 3 to 5 drills. This technique further simplifies the process. If you want more detailed guide then this blog can help you, Top 10 Best Diamond Painting Tricks For Beginners.
What To Do With The Finished Painting?
Every diamond painter understands the feeling: you’ve just completed a work of art that you’ve been working on for weeks. Your painting is stunning, with each diamond gleaming and properly aligned. You’ve never been more pleased with anything you’ve accomplished in your life. However, a few days later, you notice that the gems begin to fall apart.
You might be shocked to hear that there are several procedures you must complete before you can even begin framing your diamond painting. A limited amount of time amidst finishing your picture and hanging it on the wall can cause the sparkle in your artwork to fade. Here’s how to keep it from happening in the first place.
- Using A Roller
Spread the canvas on a flat surface and cover it using a plastic sheet. Once you have done this, take a rolling pin and thoroughly roll over every portion of the completed canvas. If you do not own a roller, you may use a can or a mason jar instead, but you’ll have to apply more pressure, and it will take longer. The diamonds will be immovably bonded to the canvas during the rolling process, ensuring that they do not slip off during the framing process.
- Using A Sealant
Investing in a good sealing spray is the most proactive thing a diamond painter can do to maintain their hard-earned, gorgeous work. A proper sealer will keep a diamond painter’s diamonds in place and prevent them from moving unless there’s an earthquake. A sealant also ensures a long-lasting shine!
- Frame
Some Amazing Tips And Tricks For Displaying And Framing Your Diamond Painting or photos, remove the back of the frame, slide the picture or artwork inside, check for straightness, reattach the back of the frame, and hang the framed print or painting on the wall. Diamond paintings are a little more challenging to frame, but the effort is well worth it when you can stand back and appreciate your gleaming masterpiece. And there you go, your Diamond painting is complete!
