What Is Diamond Painting? An Introduction:
Diamond Painting Art is a modern and DIY form of painting that comes under the mosaic category. Where does its name come from, you might ask. The answer lies in how these paintings are made. Small resin diamonds used in these paintings shine when light hits them at different angles.
The painter takes the diamonds and sticks them on the canvas to create a mosaic they desire. These diamonds are available in different colours to correspond to the vision of the artist. With the advancements in manufacturing technologies, resin diamonds of every colour are available in the market. This gives the artist a large variety to choose from and to put their ideas on the canvas perfectly.
The Origins Of The Diamond Painting Art:
Unlike many other art forms, diamond painting did not begin centuries ago. The modern diamond painting done on canvas began only in 2010 and steadily became popular. Before that, diamonds were glued on velvet, which did not work perfectly because they did not stick firmly.
Therefore, an adhesive plastic canvas was introduced as a better alternative, and it has transformed the diamond painting landscape as more and more people are joining this endeavour.
Important Components of Diamond Painting:
What is a Drill?
Although the topic under discussion here is the difference between a full drill and a partial drill, it is critical to understand what a drill is. A drill is the resin diamond you are using on your canvas.
However, its meaning changes a little when it comes to diamond painting, as described above. Drills, unsurprisingly, are the most important part of a diamond painting. Therefore keeping them safe and secure is critical.
Full vs. Partial Drills:
Since we already know what a drill is, it is time to dig deeper and know the differences between a full and a partial drill. A full drill is one in which the whole canvas is covered with resin diamonds. On the other hand, if the canvas is partially covered with diamonds, it is called a partial drill.
Choosing either of the two depends upon the type of painting the artist desires to have. For instance, if an artist wants to light up the whole canvas, the full drill is the way to go. On the contrary, if only one or few parts of canvas need enhancements, the partial drill is the right choice to make.
The partial drill is a great way of focusing on certain parts of a painting. For instance, if there is a tree in your painting with a man sitting beside it, painting the man with diamonds is a wonderful way of making him the focal point of the scene.
Square Vs. Round Drills:
Diamonds are not available in just one shape, giving painters the flexibility they desire. As already described, drills are the resin diamonds used in paintings. Therefore, round and square drills simply mean diamonds of these shapes.
Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Again, it depends upon the preferences of the artist. For instance, someone who prefers a fuller, mosaic look, should always opt for square drills. Square drills fit with each other perfectly due to their precise edges and fully cover the canvas.
On the other hand, round drills cannot cover the whole canvas perfectly and always leave spaces in between. However, round drills are advantageous too because they give a cross-stitched look and are easier for beginners to use.
Choosing either of these two should be done after significant deliberation. If you are a beginner, try both and then see what works better for you. Buy smaller kits as a beginner, not only to save money but to learn effectively and quickly, without overwhelming your mind.
3D Vs. 5D Diamond Paintings:
Another important difference to note between diamond paintings is that they are either 3d or 5d. Now, what does this mean? It simply refers to the number of facets a diamond has. A 3d diamond has 3 facets on each side, meaning 9 total facets. Conversely, a 5d diamond has 5 facets on each side, taking the total to 15.
If you want more depth in your painting, you should choose 5d diamonds. Their shine is also more captivating and possesses an excellent visual appeal. However, if you want your painting to be subtle and not so in the face, 3d diamonds are a better choice.
The Diamond Applicator Pen:
If you want to do diamond painting, you must have something that will help in picking up and placing diamonds on the canvas. That is where pens and drills come in and you have three types of them to choose from.
The three types are the drill pen, the wax pen, and the wheel pen. Before choosing any, you need to understand the main differences between them. Drill pen is the traditional choice here. It is dipped into the glue and the diamond is picked up with it. Sounds simple, right?
But wait, there is a second option too, which you might find even better. It is the wax pen, which you do not have to dip into any wax or glue. It has glue inside and releases some of it automatically onto the canvas when you place the diamond.
However, if you do not like any of these options, there is a third choice available for you too. It is the wheel pen, which has a small wheel attached to its tip. You roll the wheel to attach the diamond and roll it again on the canvas to offload the diamond.
The Importance of Illumination:
There are some accessories, which are not essential for doing diamond painting art but can take your experience to the next level if used properly. One of them is the Light Pad, which illuminates the canvas from below and provides a clear vision to the painter.
This is especially important for people with weak eyesight or those who suffer from eye strain. There are different types of light pads available these days. The most popular are battery powered that can be charged whenever needed. However, USB light pads are also available, which are also useful as many of us use USB power electronic devices.
Using a reliable light source for illuminating the canvas is critical to place the diamonds perfectly. The LED light pads are a modern wonder in the sense that they keep glowing without causing any eye strain or headache whatsoever.
Picking The Perfect Table:
An artist is incomplete without his or her table. It is something that every artist needs to have in their studio and diamond painters are no different. However, before you purchase a table, you should have a checklist in your mind.
An adjustable table is a boon for artists as it can be adjusted according to the height of the artist. Similarly, different painters like working at different angles, and an adjustable table can come in handy in such situations. Setting the table to the right height means no hunching which ultimately reduces the chances of any neck or back pain.
You should also ensure that the table you are choosing has the right surface for crafting a diamond painting. For instance, if you want to have the canvas illuminated from below, going for a glass table makes the most sense.
Similarly, selecting an ergonomic table with drawers and compartments also goes a long way in making the painting process easier for you. Having drawers or compartments help you to store different tools and items inside them, away from the prying eyes of children and pets.
Last but not the least; let us discuss easels or drawing boards. Buy an adjustable easel so that it can be tilted to an angle you find comfortable working at. Similarly, an adjustable drawing table can be placed on any type of table you have available at home. People even place easels on the kitchen tables for better lighting and warmth.
What Type Of Frame Should You Get?
Diamond paintings look astonishingly beautiful when done right. However, there is something that you can add to enhance its appeal even more, and that is an attractive frame. It has the power to transform the look of any painting.
First, you need to know the dimensions of your painting precisely. If your painting has a standard size, you can find its frame at any art store. However, it is possible that your painting does not have a standard size. In such a scenario, you might need to look somewhere else and expand your search.
There are different types of frames available. One is the glass frame that looks elegant but affects the glitter of diamonds. The second type is the stretchable frame, which can stretch beyond your painting if you choose the right size.
Using The Wax/Glue:
Why does one need wax for crafting diamond painting, a novice might ask. The answer to this question is not that difficult. The wax is used to pick up diamonds and for gluing them on the canvas. You can find it in different colours such as blue, pink, etc.
The longevity of the wax is quite brilliant too. Once you have plastered diamonds on the canvas, it lasts a long time and does not come off unless someone seriously tempers with the painting. You only need to apply a small amount of it on the tip of the pen to pick up a diamond.
Make sure you are applying only the necessary amount of glue and are not going extra with it, which could ruin the experience by making the whole canvas unnecessarily sticky.
The Perfect Size For Diamond Painting Canvas:
You cannot draw a painting if you do not know what size would be preferable for you. It is a crucial question that must be answered before you embark on your diamond painting journey. Diamond paintings are available in different sizes and you can choose them according to your preferences.
The usual smaller size for a diamond painting is 30*30 cm. It is used by beginners not used to painting too many details on the canvas. It also costs less, making it a preferable choice for those on a tight budget. Usually, 30*30 canvases only have one object on them. Even if there are two objects, the second one is very small so that it can be adjusted in the painting. If you need Any assistance regarding Choosing The Right Diamond Painting Kit, you can read here the complete Guide on How to choose.
For the sizes ranging from 30*30cm to 50*50 cm, the number of objects should be kept at two. This makes the painting less cluttered and more refined. Painting too many objects would make the canvas overcrowded, killing its appeal.
Let us also discuss some important questions that you need to ask yourself before you got for a particular size for your diamond painting.
Where Are You Displaying Your Finished Diamond Painting?
Before you select the size of your diamond painting, please ask yourself where it is going to be displayed. For instance, if you want to hang it on a wall inside your home, first calculate the dimensions of items surrounding it. If there are other pictures around then you might not want to have a large diamond picture hanging in between.
Instead, choosing a moderately sized painting that complements its surroundings would be a much better option. However, if the space around the painting is not taken, you can opt for a larger-sized one so that the space is filled up properly.
The Diamond Painting Completion Time:
Completing any project requires time and dedication. The case of diamond paintings is no different. While some time is guaranteed to be spent, the exact amount of it depends upon different factors that will be discussed here.
Your Motivation Levels:
No project can reach its completion if dedication and commitment are missing, and both of them arise from a deep sense of motivation. If there is no motivation behind a project, a person will never be able to find the dedication to take it to the finish line. Before starting your own diamond painting you can read our blog about FAQs About Diamond Painting Art.
Diamond paintings are intricate and cannot be completed by someone who wants to do them casually. To cater to the complexity of these paintings, you have to put your efforts into it and bring out the best of your creative capabilities. If you’re not motivated to do it, you will keep finding excuses to stay away from it and it’ll keep lingering in your cupboard for a long while.
Therefore, start a diamond painting only when you plan to complete it and have enough motivation and commitment inside you. Otherwise, you will only be wasting your time on something you are not interested in.