Introduction to Diamond Painting for Kids and Beginners

Arts and crafts are a crucial part of every childhood. They teach kids to express themselves through creative mediums. Your children might not have developed a vocabulary to voice everything they feel. Through creative exposure to arts and crafts activities, they learn to explore their emotions and imaginations. 

One of the arts and crafts activities that both kids and grown-ups enjoy is diamond painting. It has become incessantly popular over a decade. Let us get to know everything about it, right from the basics.

The Ultimate Diamond Painting Guide

What is Diamond Painting?

Diamond painting is a name of mosaic art that is similar to the combination of cross-stitch and paint-by-numbers. Tiny resin-like diamonds are the primary tools to complete the painting. These diamonds can be stuck to a sticky canvas surface having corresponding numbers and symbols printed on it matching each diamond color. When completed, you have a shimmering work of art in the form of a painting.

The reason for diamond painting’s viral popularity is that it  is easy to learn. Beautiful works of art can be created even on a beginner’s first try!

Applying hundreds of resin rhinestones on a canvas, one by one is an intricate and immersive experience. People love it, often finding that  it calms their minds and relieves their stress.

What are Drills?

Drills are the diamond beads that you stick to the canvas to create your diamond painting. They are the primary tool for your sparkling  work of art.

The following are the types of drills (or diamonds) that can be used to create diamond art.

5D Versus 3D Drills

5D diamond paintings and 3D diamond paintings involve the same practice and art. It is the diamonds that differ. 

The 5D and 3D define the shape of the diamonds. The number of facets or “cuts” on each drill is the differentiating factor between 5D diamonds and 3D diamonds. The former has more facets than the latter. As a result of having a greater number of facets, 5D bead art has a shinier appearance than 3D bead art. 

Square Versus Round Drills

Square diamond painting and round diamond painting differ in the physical shape of the diamonds or drills. 

Artists use round diamonds more commonly. As the name suggests, they have a circular shape. The bottom of the diamond is flat, and the top side has the diamond cut on it. Round drills are known to have more sparkle, and easy to use (see why below.)

The square diamonds are square-shaped. They are also flat at the bottom but contain a multitude of facets. It is challenging to work with them. 5D drills are preferred by artists when they want to create diamond art with more detail.

Panel Patterns

The following are the most commonly used panel patterns.

Full Drill

A full drill diamond art refers to the painting where you fill the entire canvas area with diamond drills.  This kind of drill gives a mosaic look to the painting. There is no space for even a single drill in any corner. Full drill projects are usually the most advanced type of diamond art.

Partial

Partial drill painting refers to the drill painting where you use diamond drills in just the prime part of the painting. It highlights the center point and does not cover the rest of the area. Since it is a quick project, it is suitable for beginners and kids. 

What Should A Diamond Painting Starter Kit Include?

A diamond painting kit must have a set of tools that are necessary for starting a diamond painting project. Let us see the must-have tools in a starter diamond kit.

A Canvas 

A canvas is a primary supply you need to begin your diamond painting. It has numbers and symbols painted on the canvas. They work as a painting guide by corresponding to the colors of the diamonds. It also has a layer of adhesive on it. The glue helps in sticking the diamonds to the canvas and keeping the painting together.

Diamonds (Drills)

Every kit has diamonds in a variety of colors. All the diamonds are code-printed. You need to match the color and number code of diamonds with that of the canvas. Every color comes separated in different packets.

A Tray

Every diamond kit painting has a tray to manage the diamonds. Since they are small, it is easy to misplace them. A tray can solve this problem for you.

The kit comes with a plastic tray that has a dipped corner and thin indentations on it. It helps you to keep the diamonds separated in the tray for easy access. Also, transferring the diamonds back to their packaging gets easier. 

Diamond Stitch Pens

A diamond applicator tool is necessary to begin sticking diamonds to the canvas. You can not use your hands to create the diamond painting. It is an intricate process where the drills are tiny. You have to use a cylindrical, pen-like tool to pick up the diamonds and stick them to the canvas.

Wax or glue

After picking up the diamonds with the diamond applicator, you need to put gum on the base to stick it accurately on the canvas. Therefore, diamond kits have a tub of wax or glue.

Tips for Beginners

The trick to getting better at any art is to keep practicing it. It is the same with diamond painting. However, there are some tips for kids and beginners to make your learning easier –

Use a Smaller Size Canvas

It is appealing to paint large designs with intricate details. However, start with small and easy designs as a beginner. The former ones may exhaust you in the beginning. 

Get a small-sized canvas for your small design. Begin learning the basics of the art by practicing on it and then switch to a large-sized canvas. 

When you start unrolling the canvas, straighten the canvas out by peeling the cover of the canvas. Once it is flat, put the cover back on. Instantly flattened canvas facilitates easy painting.

Begin With Round drills

Square drills give a more detailed look to the painting. However, a beginner should begin with round drills. 

Round drills are easy to place on the canvas. They require less exact placement, unlike square drills which need to be accurately maneuvered into place. You can also complete your painting much faster with round drills.

Choose Beginner and Kid-Friendly Subjects 

Do not choose complex designs in the beginning. Start practicing your artwork with simpler and beginner-friendly designs. We recommend the below-mentioned design subjects – 

Dragon

A dragon diamond art kit is a hands-on choice for beginners. Similar to a magical impression on the canvas, a dragon painting looks powerful and appealing at the same time. A partial drill is enough to give an impression of living and breathing dragons in your art.

Unicorn

It is impossible to go wrong with a colorful and playful unicorn diamond painting. Every age group is a fan of this quirky and cute fictional creature. The design of the unicorn is uncomplicated and hence, easy to create for even kids.

Butterfly

The design of a butterfly is straightforward for two reasons. One is you can customize and play with colors. The second is every kid and adult is familiar with the design of a butterfly. Pick a butterfly diamond painting design for your first painting. Since it symbolizes transformation and new life, it will create a good impression in your living room.

Mermaid

Mermaids are already a topic of fascination for many of us. Using it as your first diamond painting design will earn you admiring onlookers. With the soft glow and impression of water, the design will look lively on your first try.

Turtle

The diamond design of a sea turtle amidst deep blue waters will create an impression of the work of an artist. It is an easy, partial drill with beautiful colors. This painting can be the perfect choice for your kids’ bedroom. If they are the Picasso of this turtle diamond art, be ready to hear them boast about it all the time.

Shark

The depiction of the large, deep-sea shark on your diamond painting canvas will feel like the smells of ocean breeze in your room. The deep blue of the ocean is enough to celebrate the summer fun. You can also teach your kids the facts about sharks while you teach them to paint sharks.

Birds

Paint courage, determination, and strength all at once with a flamingo diamond art. Painting a bird is amongst the easiest designs. You can hang this easy diamond art painting anywhere in your home to brighten your day.

Sealing Your Painting

Once you are done with this dazzling piece of art, it is time to showcase your painting in the right manner. The question here is how.

Many artists use the technique of sealing the diamond painting. It finishes off the painting by applying a sealant over it. If you see drills popping up, you should do it.

Sealing involves using a finishing spray or clear glue with a paintbrush on the finished painting. However, be careful since low-quality sealers may take away the luster of the drills. 

If you are framing the painting by glass, sealing is not necessary.

Diamond Painting is a personal and creative activity. Choose a design that speaks to you the most and gets your creative juices flowing.