DIY Magic of Diamond Art by Sonia Criswell

Diamond Painting is the name of a mosaic art form in which the artist creates a picture by sticking small resins that sparkle like diamonds on an adhesive based canvas. Letter, numbers, and symbols printed in a chart on the canvas correspond with each color of crystal resins. The artist has to apply a diamond resin to the canvas to complete an elegant and beautiful picture. Once framed the art will be admired by family and friends. The completed artwork also makes very personal gift ideas for your loved ones.

You can purchase a Diamond Art Kit from several online retail sites, craft stores, and many large chain stores. Each kit should come complete with all the necessary items to complete the canvas.

Supplies included in kit:

• Pre-printed canvas with design chart (with pre-applied adhesive)
• Color diamonds resins packaged in separate labeled bags
• Diamond resin pen tool
• Trays
• Wax pads (used to pick up diamonds

Optional supplies:

• Light pad
• Storage compartments for every color of diamond resins
• Appropriate size picture frame
• roller tool
• Custom diamond resin pen tool
• scissors (to make sections in the protective film)

• Select a picture that you like or one that reminds you of your friends and family.
• Open diamond art kit.
• Ensure all supplies are included in the kit

• Lay Canvas flat on a clean flat surface and secure with tape. You made need to add a book (or weighted object) on the canvas to help flatten it out.
• Note film over adhesive on Canvas- DO NOT REMOVE!
• The picture is composed of tiny boxes that are colored and labeled with a number, letter, or symbol that is listed in the chart in the corner of the canvas.

• Before opening resins compare the number on the bag to the chart in the corners of the canvas to ensure all resins were provided in kit.
• Each bag of resins will have a number. Compare that number to the chart. The bag number will correspond with a letter, number, or symbol in the chart that is printed in the picture.
• Open resin bags. You can either use the bags for storage or purchase storage containers (highly recommend). If you use a storage container, label each container with the bag number and the number/symbol from the grid (I use tape so I can reuse the containers).
• Place each bag of resins in the labeled container.

• Select your starting point. usually a corner. I am right handed therefore I start in the bottom right corner.
• Be mindful of your starting point. Eventually your forearm will be resting on either resins or adhesive. The more you touch the adhesive, the less sticky it will be.
• Peel back a 1-2 inch section of the protective film. DO NOT REMOVE!
• Use scissors to make section.

• Choose a box on the exposed canvas (where film is peeled back)
• There is no right or wrong box. I choose a color and apply all resins of that color in the section. Others start in the corner and do straight line application.
• Find the resign that corresponds with the letter, number, or symbol you chose.
• Obtain the diamond resin pen tool (supplied with kit or purchased separately).
• Pour several resins in the tray (supplied in kit).
• Shake the tray to scatter the resins. Try to have resins pointed-side up and within the ridges of the tray.
• Stick the metal end of the pen in the wax pad (provided in kit). Apply only enough wax to fill the small hole in the pen tip. Make sure there is no extra wax on the pen.
• Use pen (wax side) to pick up a single resin from tray.
• Place resin on the square that corresponds with the color on the canvas.
• Apply gentle pressure.
• Resin should be stuck on canvas.
• Continue applying all resins according to the chart on the canvas in the exposed section. If you do not complete the section, simply replace the peeled back film over the section (I usually place heavy object over section to ensure film stays in place).

• After you complete a section, you can either cut the film off or expose another 1-2 inch section by peeling the film back further.
• Continue filling in the canvas using the same technique as listed in Step 5 until all resins are in place.
• Cover completed canvas with original film or parchment paper.
• Use a rolling tool (pin) or hands to secure any loose resins. You will apply gentle pressure. You should hear a popping sounds.
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• Use a measuring tape to measure the canvas for frame. You may choose to frame the actual resin part of the canvas or the entire canvas.
• Choose a frame according to your measurements
• You may frame your artwork with or without the glass.

• If you choose to frame the entire picture:
• There will be extra canvas around the completed picture.
• Chose an decorative way to cover the canvas around the picture (I use decorative duct tape).
• If you choose to frame just the resin completed picture:
• Cut the excess canvas off with an X-ACTO knife while picture is face down on a cutting mat.

• Remember the completed artwork will be time consuming and may take several days to weeks to complete.
• Always protect the adhesive on the canvas by keeping it covered while you are not working on the art.
• If your resins are sticking together, wipe the tray with a dryer sheet to help with the static cling.
• Flat side goes down on the canvas. If the flat side is facing up, just use some tweezers to remove from canvas and reapply correctly.
• Organize all diamond resins in the containers before beginning.
• Section off the protective film with Washi Tape before beginning.
• To separate clumps of resins, place another tray on top of the tray with resins and gently press down.
• Use tweezer to slide resins into place if accidently misplaced.
• The bigger pictures have the best visual quality
• There is round or square diamond resigns. Square resins require more precise alignment on the canvas.