to make a diamond painting ? It may be more worthwhile than you think

many friends first come into contact with diamond painting , the most common question they ask is: “When will such a large painting be considered finished?”

This question rings all too true.    
The first time I opened a canvas covered in diamonds, I was a bit overwhelmed. The overwhelming amount of tiny diamonds was dazzling , and I kept wondering if I could really finish it. Would I give up halfway? But slowly, as I truly calmed down and attached the diamonds one by one to the canvas, time seemed to become less important.
However, if you’d like to have a general understanding of “time” before you begin, the following experiences and suggestions may be helpful.

The size is different, and the time difference is more than a little

the diamond painting is the primary factor that determines the production time.

Small size (within 30×30cm): The pattern is simple and clear, and can be completed in a few nights, about 2 to 4 hours.

Medium size (about 40×50cm): Details begin to become rich, and it usually takes 6 to 10 hours.

Large size (over 60×90cm): Usually landscapes and portraits, which require a certain amount of patience and may take more than 20 hours.

Simply put, the larger the canvas, the more diamonds you’ll need. This is especially true for “full diamond” drawings, where every inch of the canvas needs to be covered, which naturally takes more time. “Partial diamond” drawings, on the other hand, can be completed much faster.

The more complex the pattern, the more difficult it is to paste.

Not all diamond paintings are created equal. Some have distinct color blocks and minimal color changes, allowing for a strong sense of rhythm when applied. Others feature rich layers and vibrant colors, requiring frequent diamond changes and intense concentration.

For example, I once made a painting with a sky background. The large expanse of blue allowed me to paste it for three hours straight without having to change the color. In the end, I even felt a little addicted to it. As for a portrait, I had to change the color every two minutes. It was slow but I felt a great sense of accomplishment.

Therefore, not only the size, but also the complexity of the pattern itself will greatly affect the completion speed.

How fast you do it depends on whether you are skilled or not.

This craft truly is about practice making perfect. When you first start diamond painting , you might feel overwhelmed by the numbering, flustered when applying diamonds, and unsure how to hold the pen properly. But don’t worry, this is all normal.

After doing two or three pictures, you will find that you are getting more and more rhythmic:

You can find the place you need to stick it with just a glance

Clearer color classification and higher diamond changing efficiency

Even the sitting posture is more comfortable

Once you become proficient, you can save more than half the time compared to a novice to complete a work of art.

What affects time is also your pace of life

Not everyone can spend hours a day painting. Sometimes I can only spare half an hour a day; sometimes I get interrupted and don’t have a chance to touch the canvas for several days.

Therefore, the time it takes to complete a work also depends on your schedule and your lifestyle. Just like some people can finish a medium-sized work in a weekend, others can complete it over a month and still achieve a beautiful piece.

Diamond painting does not rush you. It is willing to wait quietly for you to have time and mood to stick the small diamond on.

A little experience, not necessarily a “secret”, but it may be helpful to you

After doing this for a while, I found that it’s really hard to estimate time accurately. But there are some tips that can make the process smoother:

Don’t choose a big one at the beginning : especially when you first start, the bigger the picture, the more tiring it is to paste. I almost gave up halfway through pasting my first 60×80 painting, and later I made some small pictures first to get into the groove.

Using some tools will make things much easier: you don’t have to buy expensive ones, but at least the drill box and light board are really tools that improve your sense of happiness. Before, I applied the drills at night, and the light was not enough, and my eyes were blurry.

Don’t force yourself to apply diamonds when you’re not in the right mood: Sometimes, even when you’re feeling irritated, you still insist on sitting down and applying diamonds. That’s just making things difficult for yourself. Applying diamonds is fun only when you have some free time and quiet time.

Don’t try to finish it all at once: I now divide it up into sections and work on a small area at a time, a bit like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. I can finish it off and continue the next day, which is very relaxing.

What is the purpose of diamond painting ?

Some people like diamond painting because they like shiny things; some people like the sense of concentration during the process; and some people simply want to find some quiet time for themselves because they are too busy every day.

I myself have gone from “occasionally playing with it” to “becoming more and more dependent on it”, especially during the few hours at night when I put the diamonds on. I put my phone aside and what’s happening outside is none of my business for the time being, which is pretty good.

How long does it take? That’s a hard question. If you’re in a hurry, it’ll accommodate you; if you’re not, it’ll just take its time.

The sense of satisfaction that comes from creating a picture one by one from scratch is something that few other handicrafts can bring.

at last

If this is your first time diamond painting , don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Don’t worry about how big the image must be or how fast it must be. Just pick a pattern you like , start with the first diamond, and work your way up.