What is Diamond Art Painting?

01 / The basics

A creative escape, one diamond at a time.

Diamond painting is a craft where you place tiny, faceted resin diamonds onto a pre-printed adhesive canvas. Match each diamond’s color to the corresponding symbol, and watch the design become a sparkling mosaic.

Think paint-by-numbers meets cross-stitch, with a little extra shine. The picture is already mapped out for you, so you don’t need drawing or painting experience. You may also hear it called diamond art or painting with diamonds. The small resin pieces are often called drills.

Many crafters enjoy the soothing repetition of placing diamonds. There’s no race to finish and no need to be an expert. Start with a design that makes you smile.

02 / How it works

Your first six steps to sparkle.

Set your canvas on a clean, flat surface with your tray, diamonds, and pen within reach. Then take it one small section at a time.

1. 
   Step 1

   Peel a little

   Lift the protective film from a small area of the canvas. Keep the rest covered so the adhesive stays clean.

2. 
   Step 2

   Find your symbol

   Choose a symbol in that area and find it on the color chart printed along the canvas.

3. 
   Step 3

   Match the diamonds

   Match the chart’s color code to the labeled diamond bag. Pour a little into the tray and gently shake, faceted sides up.

4. 
   Step 4

   Prepare your pen

   For a wax pen, press the tip into the wax. A prefilled Twist & Pick Pen uses putty; follow the instructions for your tool.

5. 
   Step 5

   Pick one up

   Touch the pen to the faceted top of a diamond. The flat side will sit against the canvas.

6. 
   Step 6

   Place & repeat

   Gently press the diamond onto its matching symbol. Work at your own pace, one small section at a time.

03 / Inside a kit

Meet your creative essentials.

A diamond painting kit brings the canvas, matching diamonds, and tools together. Here’s what each part does.

01 The printed canvas

Your artwork, symbol chart, and adhesive surface in one. DAC’s soft canvas and poured-glue adhesive provide the foundation.

02 The resin diamonds

Color-coded bags of faceted drills that match the canvas. Keep the labels handy as you organize your colors.

03 Your pen & tray

The tray helps turn diamonds faceted side up; the applicator picks them up and places them onto the canvas.

04 Instructions & color key

Use the chart to connect each symbol with its diamond color. Tool-kit contents can vary, so check your kit’s product page.

You may receive a prefilled Twist & Pick Pen or a traditional wax applicator. Follow the instructions for the pen included with your kit.

04 / Find your kind of sparkle

Round or square diamonds?

Both create beautiful results. The difference is in the placement and the finish you enjoy.

An easy first choice

Round diamonds

Easy to pick up and place because there’s no straight edge to align. Small spaces between the diamonds let the printed canvas show through.

The feel: a forgiving, relaxed flow.

A seamless mosaic

Square diamonds

Placed edge to edge, square drills give the finished canvas a full mosaic look. Take a little extra care lining them up as you go.

The feel: satisfying, precise placement.

And a little extra magic: AB diamonds. Aurora Borealis diamonds have an iridescent coating that adds a luminous accent. Specialty diamond types vary by design; your kit’s listing tells you what’s included.

05 / Know your canvas

Full drill or partial drill?

Here, “drill” describes how much of the picture you cover with diamonds.

06 / Enjoy the process

Small habits. Happier painting.

You’ll find your own rhythm as you go. These simple habits make the first canvas feel more manageable.

• Start with a comfortable setup. Give yourself good light, a flat surface, and room for the colors you’re using.
• Work in small sections. Keep unused adhesive covered. Washi tape can help you mark sections on the protective film.
• Pour a little at a time. Gently shake the tray so diamonds settle flat side down. A crowded tray is harder to work from.
• Keep every color labeled. Match the bag to the canvas chart, and return leftover drills to their own containers between sessions.
• Try one diamond before several. Get comfortable with the single tip, then explore a multi-placer for larger areas of one color.
• Trust the process. A small patch may look abstract. Step back now and then to see the picture emerge—and enjoy what you’ve already made.

07 / The finishing touch

You made it. Now make room for it.

Framing gives your finished piece a place to shine, whether it’s on your wall or wrapped up for someone special.

Choose a frame that fits your canvas, use stretcher bars, or work with a professional framer. Think about where you’ll display it and how you want the diamond texture to catch the light.

Find your framing approach →

08 / The Diamond Art Club® difference

Beautiful artwork. A joy to bring to life.

The artwork is where the connection begins. Diamond Art Club® licenses designs from artists and pairs them with carefully charted canvases, poured-glue adhesive, and reflective resin diamonds.

Choose a subject you love, then look at the canvas size, diamond shape, and kit details to find a project that feels right for you. A smaller design can make a satisfying starting point; a larger canvas gives you more time with the details.