Diamond painting is the latest craze that’s not only fun, but also has many physical and mental health benefits. It helps you focus, relaxes your mind, and improves hand-eye coordination.
You can buy a diamond art kit online or at a local store. If you plan on buying it online, make sure the seller offers a money-back guarantee.
Choosing the Right Kit
There are many things to consider when choosing a diamond painting kit. The size of the canvas is one important factor. Kits come in a variety of sizes, from small, portable pieces to large ones that take days or even weeks to finish. It’s a good idea to choose a size that will fit well in your space and allow you to work comfortably.
Another important consideration is the type of diamonds used in the painting. Round diamonds are generally easier to place than square ones, and they don’t require as much precision. Square diamonds, on the other hand, are more difficult to place and can cause frustration if you’re not careful.
You should also look for a kit that includes all the necessary supplies. This includes the coded canvas, a pen tool with wax or gel, a storage tray and detailed instructions. Some kits may also include iridescent or rhinestone diamonds, which add a pop of color and extra sparkle to your painting.
Getting Started
Once you’ve chosen your picture, it’s time to get started. All kits are easy to use, but there are a few things you should know before diving in.
First, make sure your canvas is the right size for your design. Kits will list a canvas size and a picture size, but these are not interchangeable. The canvas size refers to the area where you’ll be applying the diamonds, while the picture size refers to the actual image.
Also, check that you have all of the tools needed for diamond painting. This includes a white drill tray, a clear sparkle diamond pen with a comfort grip, pink pen wax, black tweezers and clear storage baggies. You may also want to consider a large frame for your finished work. These can be found at craft stores and specialty frame shops. Some online retailers offer frames as well. Make sure the store you buy from has a comprehensive return and refund policy in case anything goes wrong.
Preparing the Canvas
One of the most important tips for diamond painting is to carefully prepare the canvas before beginning. This will help ensure that your paint sticks and prevents your work from becoming messy and unorganized.
First, make sure that your canvas is flat and secure on a table or other surface. Then, remove the plastic cover that comes on your pre-printed canvas and use a piece of parchment paper to cover the part of the image you’re not working on. This will protect your painting from dust and other debris that could cause your stones to lose their stickiness.
Next, carefully study the symbols on your canvas and write down what colors you’re going to use for each area of the image. This will help you avoid mixing up similar-looking symbols and will allow you to move faster as you complete each section of the picture. Some diamond painters even like to use washi tape to create a grid on their canvas to make it easier to work on specific areas at a time.
Applying the Diamonds
One of the most common problems new diamond painters run into is separating all the little drills or “rhinestones” from each other. This can be frustrating especially if the rhinestones have flat sides and a rounded side. The good news is there is a trick to help make this process much easier!
Before you start working on your canvas, take a few minutes to pre-flatten it. This will remove the wrinkles and creases for a more professional finish. To do this, lay the canvas on a flat surface and tape it in all four corners. Then stack some heavy objects on top of it such as books or a mattress.
You can also use a heating pad on the low setting to unwrinkle your canvas as well. Be careful not to iron it though as this may affect the adhesiveness of the canvas. Then, once it’s flattened, remove the plastic covering and start working! If you’re planning on framing your painting, a tip is to glue it to the frame instead of using double-sided tape. This will prevent the painting from falling out of the frame.
