WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF DIAMOND PAINTINGS

Diamond Paintings are the modern interpretation of our old friends – the classic tapestries. They are beautiful, quicker to make, and have a distinctive sparkle that shines across the entire surface of the canvas.

 

If you’re still unsure what they are, we recommend reading our guide – What is a Diamond Painting?

 

Diamond paintings provide a relaxing, fun way to beat boredom and reduce stress. What exactly are they?

 

A diamond painting is a craft hobby where you stick diamond-like gems onto a patterned canvas, creating a mosaic-like image. Sometimes called diamond art (even though no paint is used), this fun and creative pastime is easy to do, affordable, and suitable for both children and adults.

 

What is Diamond Painting?

 

Diamond painting is a form of mosaic art where you apply shiny (plastic beads or “diamonds”) onto a pre-glued canvas to complete the image.

 

Similar to the concept of paint-by-numbers, this craft requires no artistic skill and offers a fun and relaxing way to create something beautiful.

 

Most diamond painting kits come with similar contents.

 

Here’s what’s usually included:

 

• Printed canvas in your preferred size – the design will be pre-printed, and the top layer is usually adhesive. The canvas comes with a plastic cover.

 

Do not remove it! You’ll peel it back gradually as you apply the gems, using it to keep your artwork sticky until it’s finished.

 

• Colored rhinestones – usually, the kits include extra diamonds, so you’ll never run out of your favorite color while painting.

 

• Plastic tray for holding the diamonds – most kits come with several trays. There’s also a diamond applicator pen for picking up the gems. The pen helps you hold each tiny jewel while placing it on the sticky canvas.

 

Glue or wax to insert into the pen tip. This allows the jewels to stick to the pen while you’re working.

 

• Extra diamonds – your kit will likely include more diamonds than you need, so don’t stress if you lose a few here and there.

 

Looking for a new hobby to master?

Try your hand at diamond painting! Originating in Asia a decade ago, this unique art form gained popularity among craft lovers seeking a creative outlet, especially during the pandemic. It’s a stress-free activity that helps calm your mind.

 

“It requires minimal effort and can be incredibly addictive, as this creative outlet is great for relaxation, stress relief, and overall mental health.” Despite its name, diamond painting has nothing to do with brush strokes.

 

Diamond painting is a mix between cross-stitching and paint-by-numbers. You use an applicator tool to place hundreds of sparkling crystals, one by one, onto a color-coded adhesive canvas.

 

The final result is a vibrant, shimmering piece of art. Each creation can be framed and displayed in your office, gifted to a loved one, or kept to enjoy for yourself.

 

Choosing the right kit for your skill level

 

At EM ART, we offer diamond painting kits perfect for beginners. More advanced crafters will enjoy working on larger canvases. Round diamonds are easier and faster to place on the canvas, while square diamonds have a “snap-fit” feature that allows the gems to sit closely together.

 

You can also choose a kit with a theme you love. EM ART offers a wide variety of themes for everyone’s taste and preference.

 

We have everything – from classic landscapes and inspiring quotes to abstract art, portraits, and a variety of images across multiple categories. There are also plenty of accessories for customization.

 

Helpful tips from EM ART

 

To start, unroll your canvas and place it under something heavy, such as a stack of books, for a few hours or overnight. This will help flatten it.

 

The next day, lay out your canvas (preferably on an LED light pad), then peel back a small section of the plastic film to work on a small area. Be careful not to remove it entirely, as it protects the sticky surface.

 

Now it’s time to start working with the drills. Use the color-coded chart on the canvas to match each symbol with its corresponding diamond color code.

 

Pour some diamonds into the tray, then gently shake the tray back and forth so the drills settle right-side up. “It will be easier to pick up the diamonds with the applicator pen this way.”

 

Next, take your diamond pen and dip it a few times into the wax. Do this until the tip has a bit of wax on it. When you finish your first section, peel back another part of the cover and move to that area until you complete the design. All that’s left is to frame and display your beautiful artwork at home.

 

Benefits of Diamond Painting

 

Diamond painting is a form of mosaic art where the artist applies glossy resin gems onto a pre-glued canvas to complete the picture. After several hours of work, the end result is a stunning piece of art you created yourself.

 

Much like adult coloring books and puzzles, diamond painting as a hobby offers many mental, emotional, and cognitive benefits.

 

Diamond painting is a stress-free activity that relaxes the amygdala – the brain’s fear center – allowing your mind to rest. But it also has many indirect benefits.

 

 

 

 

 

1. Reduces stress and anxiety

 

Life can get hectic – family, work (or lack thereof), school – all putting unrealistic demands on our time and wellbeing. Diamond painting lets us sit down and simply breathe. You can do it alone or with a small group of friends and feel the stress melt away.

 

Much like meditation, diamond painting allows you to switch off your mind from other thoughts and focus solely on the moment, helping to ease anxiety.

 

It can be especially effective for those who don’t feel confident in more creative art forms. More reserved people often find great peace in diamond painting.

 

2. Trains your brain to focus

 

Diamond painting helps the brain develop and follow patterns, bringing logic and structure. It’s a self-induced state of concentration.

 

The act of diamond painting engages both logic and creativity. We use logic when reading the pattern, choosing a symbol, and finding the matching color on the chart. This activates the analytical side of the brain.

 

On the other hand, when we place the gems on the canvas to create the design, we engage the creative side of the brain. This helps activate the visual cortex and improves coordination and fine motor skills.

 

3. Enhances fine motor skills

 

Focusing on a task for an extended period of time has been proven to improve concentration levels and hand-eye coordination. Since the diamonds are small, precise movements are required, helping develop motor skills through the repetitive action of picking up and placing the gems.

 

4. Expands your social circles

 

Community is something we all need, and that’s especially true in the world of diamond painting. The internet has made this even easier. There are diamond painting groups everywhere – on Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr, to name just a few.

 

These online communities are particularly valuable for those who stay at home for various reasons. It’s an incredible feeling when someone says, “Hey, I get it – I love doing that too!” It reminds us how truly connected we are.

5. Sparks creativity

 

Diamond painting also stimulates the right hemisphere of the brain, which is associated with creativity. Everyone needs a creative outlet, as it’s such a wonderful way to relieve stress.

 

Diamond painting allows you to create stunning works of art without having a single artistic bone in your body, thanks to easy-to-follow patterns.

 

Ultimately, diamond painting is good for you because it’s fun! If you’d like to get your own diamond art kit, you can browse our collection both in-store and online.

Explore EM ART’s rich selection of Diamond Paintings here