Have you ever looked at a favourite photograph and thought, “I wish I could turn this into a diamond painting?”
You can!
A custom diamond painting allows you to take a photograph that has special meaning to you and turn it into a sparkling piece of artwork that you can create yourself.
It could be a photograph of your family, children, partner, pet, wedding, holiday, favourite landscape or another special memory.
But before ordering a custom diamond painting, there are a few important things to understand. The photograph you choose, the size of the painting and the amount of detail in the image can all affect the finished result.
This guide explains how custom diamond paintings work, what makes a good photograph and how to choose the right size.
What Is a Custom Diamond Painting?
A custom diamond painting is a diamond art kit created from your own photograph or image.
Instead of choosing a design from a catalogue, you provide your own image. The image is then converted into a diamond painting design using coloured resin drills.
The finished canvas contains symbols that correspond to the different drill colours. You then complete the artwork by placing the drills onto the matching symbols.
At Diamond Art SA, we can turn suitable photographs and images into custom diamond art paintings. You can view our custom diamond painting service to see the available options.
What Can You Turn Into a Custom Diamond Painting?
There are many different types of photographs that can be turned into diamond art.
Some popular ideas include:
- Family photographs
- Children’s photographs
- Wedding photographs
- Couple portraits
- Pet photographs
- Memorial photographs
- Holiday photographs
- Favourite landscapes
- Nature photographs
- Special occasions
- Meaningful memories
You don’t have to choose a traditional portrait either. A beautiful landscape, favourite animal or special place can also make an interesting diamond painting.
How Does a Custom Diamond Painting Work?
The process is fairly simple.
Step 1: Choose Your Photograph
Start by choosing a photograph that you would like to turn into diamond art.
The quality and composition of the photograph are important, so don’t simply choose the first photograph you find.
Look for an image where the main subject is clear and easy to see.
Step 2: Send Your Photograph
Send your photograph to Diamond Art SA so that we can assess it and help determine whether it is suitable for diamond painting.
If you are unsure about your photograph, it is always better to ask before placing your order.
Step 3: We Prepare a Sample Layout
Diamond Art SA can provide a sample layout for your photograph so that you can see how the image translates into a diamond painting before proceeding.
This is particularly useful because a normal photograph and a diamond painting are very different types of images.
Step 4: Choose Your Size
The size of your finished diamond painting is extremely important.
A larger painting provides more room for detail, which is especially important when your photograph contains faces, pets or other small features.
For custom photographs, Diamond Art SA recommends starting from approximately 50 × 70 cm or larger for the best level of detail.
Step 5: Your Custom Canvas Is Prepared
Once the photograph and size have been confirmed, the image is converted into a diamond-art design and prepared for printing.
Your finished kit includes the canvas, drills and the basic tools required to complete the painting.
Custom paintings are made to order. Diamond Art SA currently advises customers to allow approximately 15–25 working days for preparation before delivery.
What Makes a Good Photo for a Custom Diamond Painting?
Not every photograph will produce the same result.
A good starting photograph should ideally have:
- Good lighting
- Clear focus
- Good resolution
- Clearly visible subjects
- Enough detail
- Reasonable contrast
- A background that doesn’t overpower the main subject
The most important thing is that the subject you want to turn into diamond art is clearly visible.
Clear Photos Are Better
A blurry photograph cannot suddenly become a highly detailed diamond painting.
If the eyes, face, fur or other important features are already unclear in the original photograph, those details may also be difficult to reproduce in the finished artwork.
Whenever possible, use the original high-quality photograph rather than a screenshot or heavily compressed image.
Good Lighting Matters
A photograph with good lighting generally gives you more visible detail to work with.
Very dark photographs can make important features disappear into shadows.
Likewise, photographs with extremely bright areas can lose detail in those areas.
A photograph with reasonably balanced lighting is usually a better starting point.
Keep the Main Subject Clear
Think about what you want people to notice when they look at the finished diamond painting.
If the main subject is a person, pet or group of people, you generally want them to be clearly visible rather than tiny figures surrounded by a huge amount of background.
Can I Use a Family Photograph?
Yes.
Family photographs can make wonderful custom diamond paintings and can become meaningful pieces of artwork.
However, consider how large the people appear in the photograph.
If you have a large family photograph with many people standing far away from the camera, their faces may be quite small.
A larger canvas can give those faces more room to be represented.
If your photograph contains several people, we recommend sending it to us first so that we can help you determine whether the image and size are suitable.
Can I Turn a Pet Photograph Into Diamond Art?
Absolutely.
Pet portraits are a popular choice for custom diamond paintings.
Dogs, cats, horses and other animals can make beautiful custom artwork.
For a pet photograph, look for an image where:
- The animal is clearly visible
- The eyes are in focus
- The face is well lit
- The fur is reasonably clear
- The animal isn’t too small within the photograph
A close-up photograph of your pet can often be a better choice than a photograph where the animal is far away.
What About Wedding Photographs?
Wedding photographs can make particularly meaningful custom diamond paintings.
You could choose:
- A wedding portrait
- A couple photograph
- A favourite moment from the wedding
- A photograph of the bride and groom
- A special wedding location
When choosing a wedding photograph, consider how clearly the faces are visible.
A photograph that looks beautiful as a normal photograph may not necessarily be the best choice for diamond art if the people are very small or the image is extremely dark.
Why Does the Size of a Custom Diamond Painting Matter?
This is one of the most important things to understand before ordering.
A photograph contains millions of colours and an enormous amount of visual information.
A diamond painting has a limited number of available drill colours.
The photograph therefore has to be translated into a much simpler representation using individual coloured drills.
A larger painting gives the design more space to represent important details.
This is why Diamond Art SA recommends starting custom photographs from approximately 50 × 70 cm or larger when good detail is important.
If you’re unsure about the size, our guide to choosing the right diamond painting size explains more about how size affects detail.
Will My Diamond Painting Look Exactly Like My Photograph?
This is an important question to understand before ordering a custom diamond painting.
No — it will not look exactly like the original photograph when viewed close up.
A photograph contains millions of colours, while diamond painting uses a limited range of drill colours.
The photograph is therefore converted into a diamond-art design using the available colours.
When you look closely at the finished painting, you will see individual coloured drills.
When you step back and look at the painting as a whole, those individual colours work together to recreate the overall image.
This is part of what makes diamond art so interesting — the picture is created from thousands of individual pieces.
Can I See What My Custom Painting Will Look Like Before Ordering?
Diamond Art SA offers a sample layout for custom photographs.
This gives you an opportunity to see how your photograph translates into diamond art before proceeding.
If you are unsure about your photograph or size, this is a useful step because you can discuss the image before the custom canvas is prepared.
Should I Edit My Photograph Before Sending It?
You don’t necessarily need to edit your photograph yourself.
In fact, if you have the original photograph, it is generally better to send the highest-quality original file available rather than a screenshot or heavily compressed version.
If you think the photograph needs cropping or changes, you can discuss this before the custom painting is prepared.
The most important thing is to start with a clear image where the main subject is visible.
What Size Should My Custom Diamond Painting Be?
There isn’t one size that works for every photograph.
The correct size depends on:
- How many people are in the photograph
- How large the subjects appear
- How much detail the image contains
- Whether the photograph is a portrait or landscape
- How much background is included
- How large you want the finished artwork to be
For custom photographs, Diamond Art SA recommends starting from approximately 50 × 70 cm or larger for better detail.
If you’re not sure, send us your photograph and we can help you decide.
What If My Photograph Isn’t Suitable?
Don’t worry.
Not every photograph is ideal for diamond painting, and that is exactly why it can be helpful to have the photograph assessed before ordering.
A photograph might be difficult to use if:
- The subject is very small
- The photograph is blurry
- The image is extremely dark
- Important facial features are hidden
- There is too much distracting background
- The original image quality is very low
If you’re unsure, ask before ordering.
It is much better to choose the right photograph and size before the canvas is prepared.
Can I Use a Photograph From My Phone?
Yes.
Modern phones can produce excellent photographs suitable for custom diamond paintings.
However, try to send the original photograph rather than a screenshot.
Avoid sending a photograph that has been repeatedly compressed through messaging apps or downloaded from social media if you have access to the original file.
The more detail available in the original image, the better starting point you have.
How Long Does a Custom Diamond Painting Take?
Custom diamond paintings are made to order, so they require preparation before they can be shipped.
Diamond Art SA currently advises customers to allow approximately 15–25 working days for preparation before delivery.
The actual time required to complete the painting yourself will depend on the size, detail and how often you work on it.
A large custom portrait can become a long-term creative project.
Why Make a Custom Diamond Painting?
A custom diamond painting can be much more personal than choosing a standard design.
You are creating artwork from something that already has meaning to you.
It can be:
A Family Memory
Turn a favourite family photograph into something you can display in your home.
A Pet Memorial
Create a lasting piece of artwork from a photograph of a beloved pet.
A Wedding Keepsake
Turn a favourite wedding photograph into a sparkling handmade artwork.
A Personal Gift
A custom diamond painting can also make a thoughtful personalised gift for someone special.
A Creative Project
Instead of simply printing and framing a photograph, you get to spend time creating the artwork yourself, one drill at a time.
What Is Included in a Custom Diamond Painting Kit?
The exact contents can depend on the product you choose, but a custom Diamond Art SA kit includes the materials required to create your painting.
The basic kit includes:
- Custom printed canvas
- Coloured diamond drills
- Applicator pen
- Wax
- Diamond painting tray
The custom product information also confirms the applicator pen, wax and bead tray as included components.
Are Diamond Art SA Custom Paintings Made in South Africa?
Diamond Art SA is a South African diamond painting supplier offering custom diamond paintings to customers in South Africa.
Our website provides custom diamond art kits as well as standard diamond painting designs, accessories and other diamond-art products.
You can explore our custom diamond paintings if you’re ready to turn your own photograph into diamond art.
Tips Before Ordering Your Custom Diamond Painting
Before sending your photograph, ask yourself:
Is the photograph clear?
Make sure the main subject is in focus.
Is the subject large enough?
Faces and other important details need enough space.
Is the lighting good?
Avoid photographs where the main subject is almost completely hidden in shadows.
Is the photograph meaningful to you?
Remember that a custom diamond painting takes time to complete, so choose something you will enjoy creating and displaying.
Have you chosen the right size?
When in doubt, ask before ordering.
Would you like to see a sample layout?
Diamond Art SA can provide a sample layout for your photograph before proceeding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can any photo be made into a diamond painting?
Many photographs can be converted into diamond art, but some will produce better results than others. Clear, well-lit photographs with a clearly visible subject are generally the best starting point.
What is the best photo for a custom diamond painting?
A clear, well-lit photograph with the main subject in focus is generally best. Close-up portraits and pet photographs can work particularly well.
What size should a custom diamond painting be?
For photographs, Diamond Art SA recommends starting from approximately 50 × 70 cm or larger for better detail.
Can I make a diamond painting from a pet photo?
Yes. Pet photographs can make beautiful custom diamond paintings, particularly when the animal’s face and eyes are clearly visible.
Can I use a family photograph?
Yes. Family photographs can be turned into custom diamond paintings. If there are several people in the photograph, a larger canvas may be beneficial.
Will my custom diamond painting look exactly like my photograph?
No. The photograph has to be converted into a limited range of diamond drill colours, so the finished artwork will have the appearance of diamond art rather than a printed photograph.
Can I see a preview before ordering?
Diamond Art SA offers a sample layout for custom photographs. You can send your photograph for assessment before proceeding.
How long does a custom diamond painting take to prepare?
Diamond Art SA currently advises allowing approximately 15–25 working days for preparation before delivery.
What if I don’t know which size to choose?
Send your photograph to Diamond Art SA before ordering and ask for assistance. The image, number of subjects and amount of detail can all affect the recommended size.
Turn Your Favourite Photograph Into Diamond Art
A photograph can capture a special moment, but creating that photograph as diamond art gives you the opportunity to turn the memory into something you can actually spend time creating.
Whether you want to create a family portrait, remember a beloved pet, preserve a wedding photograph or simply turn a favourite image into something unique, a custom diamond painting can be a very personal creative project.
If you have a photograph in mind but aren’t sure whether it will work, send it to Diamond Art SA for assessment and a sample layout before ordering.
Explore Custom Diamond Paintings from Diamond Art SA