Starting your first diamond painting can seem a little confusing when you open the kit and see a canvas covered in symbols, bags of tiny coloured drills and a collection of unfamiliar tools.
The good news is that diamond painting is much easier than it looks.
Once you understand what each tool is for and how the symbols on the canvas work, the process is simply a matter of picking up and placing the drills one by one.
This step-by-step guide will show you how to start your first diamond painting, how to use the tools included in your kit, how to avoid common beginner mistakes and how to work your way towards a finished painting.
If you haven’t tried diamond painting before, you may also want to read our complete beginner’s guide to diamond painting first.
What Do You Need to Start Diamond Painting?
A basic diamond painting kit normally contains everything you need to begin.
You will generally need:
- A diamond painting canvas
- Coloured resin diamond drills
- An applicator pen
- Wax
- A diamond painting tray
- A colour and symbol chart
You may also find additional tools depending on the particular kit.
As you become more experienced, you can add accessories such as storage containers, tweezers, a light pad, multi-placer tools and other diamond painting accessories.
You don’t need to buy lots of equipment before starting. The basic tools supplied with your kit are enough to learn the technique.
Step 1: Find a Suitable Workspace
Before opening your drills, find a clean, flat surface where you can comfortably work.
Your workspace should have enough room for:
- Your canvas
- Your tray
- Your diamond drills
- Your applicator pen
- Your wax
- Your colour chart
- Any storage containers you are using
Good lighting is particularly important because the symbols on a diamond painting canvas can be small.
If you are working on a large painting, make sure you have enough space to support the canvas without constantly folding or moving it.
Step 2: Unpack Your Diamond Painting
Carefully remove the canvas and the other contents from the packaging.
Lay the canvas flat on your workspace.
Depending on how it has been packaged, the canvas may have some curling or creasing. Give it time to flatten naturally rather than immediately trying to force it flat.
Keep the protective covering on the adhesive surface while you prepare your workspace and organise your materials.
Step 3: Understand the Symbols and Colour Chart
Before placing your first drill, take a look at the chart supplied with your painting.
The canvas is covered with symbols, and each symbol corresponds to a particular drill colour.
The chart tells you which colour belongs to each symbol.
For example, one symbol might represent a particular shade of blue, while another symbol represents a shade of green.
Take a few minutes to familiarise yourself with the system before starting. This can prevent mistakes later.
Step 4: Organise Your Diamond Drills
Your drills will usually be supplied in individual bags according to colour.
Keep the different colours organised so that you can easily find the one you need.
If you have storage containers, you can transfer the drills into labelled containers. However, this isn’t necessary for a small project.
For your first painting, you can simply keep the original bags organised and work with one colour at a time.
Be particularly careful with colours that look very similar.
Mixing two similar colours together can make it difficult to separate them again.
We also sell these Storage Holders.
Step 5: Choose the First Section
Don’t try to remove the entire protective covering from the canvas.
Instead, choose a small section to work on and expose only that area.
Keeping the rest of the canvas covered helps protect the adhesive from dust, hair and other debris while you work.
A manageable section also makes the project feel much less overwhelming.
You don’t need to complete an entire painting in one sitting.
Step 6: Pour Your Drills Into the Tray
Choose one of the colours needed for the section you’re working on.
Pour a small amount of the drills into your diamond painting tray.
Gently shake the tray from side to side.
The grooves in the tray help the drills settle into a position that makes them easier to pick up with your applicator pen.
Don’t fill the tray too much.
Working with a smaller quantity makes it easier to handle the drills and reduces the chance of accidentally spilling them.
Or get one of these trays for more colours.
Step 7: Add Wax to Your Applicator Pen
Your diamond painting applicator pen has a hollow tip designed to pick up the drills.
Press the tip of the pen gently into the wax supplied with your kit.
The wax provides temporary grip, allowing the pen to pick up a drill.
You don’t need to keep adding wax after every drill.
When you notice that the pen is no longer picking up the drills properly, simply add a little more wax.
Step 8: Pick Up Your First Diamond Drill
Place the waxed tip of the applicator pen gently onto the top of a drill in your tray.
The drill should stick to the pen.
Lift it from the tray and take it to your canvas.
Now find the symbol on the canvas that corresponds to that particular colour.
Step 9: Place the Drill Onto the Canvas
Position the drill over the matching symbol.
Gently press the drill onto the adhesive.
Lift the pen away.
The drill should remain attached to the canvas.
That’s your first diamond!
It really is that simple.
Continue picking up drills and placing them onto the corresponding symbols.
Step 10: Work Methodically
There isn’t one single correct way to work through a diamond painting.
Some people like to complete one colour at a time within a section.
Others prefer to work across a row or small area and place whichever colour is required as they go.
Try both approaches and see which feels more comfortable for you.
The important thing is to work in manageable sections and keep track of which colours you are using.
Step 11: Keep the Rest of the Canvas Covered
As you finish a section, move on to the next area and expose only as much of the adhesive as you are ready to work on.
Avoid leaving large areas of adhesive exposed unnecessarily.
Dust, fibres and other debris can settle on the sticky surface and make it more difficult to place the drills.
Keeping the protective covering in place until you need the next section is one of the easiest ways to keep your canvas clean.
Step 12: Check Your Work as You Go
Before moving too far away from a completed section, check your work.
Look for:
- Missing drills
- Incorrect colours
- Drills that are sitting crooked
- Symbols that have accidentally been skipped
- Loose drills
It is much easier to correct a mistake while you are still working on that section than to discover it when the entire painting is finished.
If you notice that you have placed the wrong drill, carefully remove it and replace it with the correct colour.
Step 13: Continue Section by Section
Now simply repeat the process:
Choose a colour → put the drills in the tray → add wax to the pen → pick up a drill → match the symbol → place the drill.
Then repeat.
As you continue, the image will gradually appear.
This is one of the most satisfying parts of diamond painting because you can watch the picture develop from a collection of symbols into a finished piece of artwork.
Step 14: Take Breaks
You don’t have to finish your painting in one session.
In fact, large diamond paintings can take many sessions to complete.
If you are working for a long period, take regular breaks and give your eyes and hands a rest.
When you stop for the day, make sure the unfinished area is protected.
Step 15: Finish Your Painting
Continue working through the canvas until all the required symbols have been covered with drills.
Once you believe you have finished, take a close look at the entire painting.
Check for:
- Missing drills
- Incorrect colours
- Loose drills
- Areas that haven’t been completed
- Drills that need repositioning
Once you’re happy with the result, your diamond painting is ready to be protected and displayed.
Common Diamond Painting Mistakes Beginners Make
Removing the Entire Protective Cover
One of the most common mistakes is removing the whole protective covering at the beginning.
You don’t need to do this.
Work on one small section at a time and keep the remaining adhesive covered.
Mixing Different Drill Colours
Be careful when working with colours that look similar.
Keep your drill bags or containers clearly separated and labelled.
Pouring Too Many Drills Into the Tray
You only need a small amount at a time.
A tray overflowing with drills is harder to manage and easier to spill.
Working Without Enough Light
If you struggle to see the symbols, improve your lighting before continuing.
A well-lit workspace can make a big difference, especially when working on detailed paintings.
Rushing
Diamond painting is not a race.
Trying to work too quickly can lead to misplaced drills, missed symbols and frustration.
Take your time and enjoy the process.
Leaving Mistakes Until the End
If you notice an incorrectly placed drill, fix it while the section is still in front of you.
It’s much easier than trying to find mistakes after the entire painting has been completed.
Tips for Making Diamond Painting Easier
Once you’ve completed your first project, you will probably discover your own preferred way of working.
Until then, these tips can help:
Work in Small Sections
Don’t expose more canvas than you can comfortably complete.
Keep Your Drills Organised
Good organisation becomes increasingly important as your paintings become larger and contain more colours.
Use Good Lighting
Make sure you can easily see the symbols and colours.
Keep Your Workspace Clean
Small drills can easily disappear if they are dropped onto a cluttered surface.
Keep Unused Drills Safe
If you have leftover drills, keep them labelled and stored rather than throwing them away immediately.
You may need replacement drills or extras for another project.
Take Your Time
The purpose of diamond painting is to enjoy the creative process. There is no need to rush to the finish.
What If a Diamond Drill Won’t Stick to the Pen?
If your applicator pen stops picking up drills, it may simply need more wax.
Press the tip gently into the wax again and try another drill.
If the problem continues, check that the tip is clean and that you are touching the correct part of the drill.
What If I Put the Wrong Drill on the Canvas?
Don’t panic.
If you notice that you’ve used the wrong colour, carefully remove the drill and replace it with the correct one.
This is much easier to fix while you are still working on the area.
What If I Run Out of a Colour?
If you think you may be running low on a particular colour, check your remaining supplies before continuing.
Keep your leftover drills organised so you know which colours you have available.
Diamond Art SA also offers diamond painting tools, accessories and supplies, including additional supplies that may be useful to diamond painting enthusiasts.
How Do I Choose My Next Diamond Painting?
Once you’ve completed your first project, you may find yourself ready to try something larger or more detailed.
When choosing your next project, consider:
- The image you like
- The size
- The amount of detail
- How much time you have available
- The amount of workspace you have
- Whether you want a small, medium or large project
Our guide to choosing the right diamond painting size explains how image detail, size and project time can affect your choice.
You can also explore our diamond art designs to find your next project.
Can I Turn My Own Photograph Into a Diamond Painting?
Yes.
Once you’re comfortable with the basic diamond painting process, you may want to create something more personal.
Diamond Art SA offers custom diamond paintings created from suitable photographs.
You could use a family photograph, pet photograph, special memory or another meaningful image.
If you’re considering a custom painting, choosing the right photograph and size is particularly important.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is diamond painting easy for beginners?
Yes. The basic process is simple to learn. You match the symbols on the canvas with the corresponding drill colours and place the drills onto the adhesive.
What should I do first when I open my diamond painting kit?
Find a clean workspace, lay your canvas flat, check the colour chart and organise your drills before beginning.
Should I remove all the plastic from my diamond painting?
No. It is better to expose only a small section at a time so that the remaining adhesive stays protected.
How do you pick up diamond painting drills?
Press the tip of the applicator pen into the supplied wax, then gently touch the waxed tip to the top of a drill.
How do you know where each diamond goes?
Each symbol on the canvas corresponds to a particular drill colour. Use the colour and symbol chart supplied with your painting to match the correct drill to each symbol.
Should I work one colour at a time?
You can. Many people find it convenient to complete one colour within a small section before moving onto another colour, but you can experiment and find the method that works best for you.
What happens if I make a mistake?
Carefully remove the incorrect drill and replace it with the correct one. Mistakes are normal, especially when you’re learning.
Can I stop my diamond painting and continue later?
Yes. Diamond paintings can be completed over multiple sessions. When you stop, protect the unfinished adhesive area and keep your drills organised.
How long does it take to complete a diamond painting?
It depends on the size, detail, number of colours and how often you work on it. A small project may be completed relatively quickly, while a large detailed painting can take much longer.
Ready to Start Your First Diamond Painting?
Diamond painting may look complicated when you first open a kit, but the basic technique is simple.
Prepare your workspace, organise your drills, expose a small section of the canvas, load your applicator with wax and start placing the drills one at a time.
Before long, the symbols will begin disappearing beneath colourful drills and your picture will start to appear.
If you are looking for your first project, explore Diamond Art SA’s range of diamond painting designs.
For more information about diamond painting, sizes, custom paintings and getting started, visit our Diamond Painting South Africa guide.
