The Complete Beginner's Guide to
Diamond Painting and Paint by Numbers
Never picked up a stylus pen or a paint brush? This is the only guide you need. Everything from choosing your first kit to displaying your finished piece.
Diamond painting and paint by numbers are two of the most loved beginner crafts in the world, and for good reason. Both are genuinely easy to pick up on day one, both produce stunning finished pieces worth displaying, and both are deeply relaxing in a way that few other hobbies can match.
This guide covers everything you need to know to start either craft with confidence, from opening your first kit to hanging your finished piece on the wall.
1. What Are Diamond Painting and Paint by Numbers?
Both crafts share a brilliant idea: divide an image into colour-coded sections and fill each section with the correct material. The number or symbol tells you exactly what goes where. Your job is simply to follow the guide.
Press. Place. Sparkle.
You use a wax-tipped stylus pen to pick up tiny faceted resin gems from a sorting tray and press them onto matching symbols on a sticky adhesive canvas. When every symbol is filled the design glitters like a gem-covered mosaic. No paint, no drying, no cleanup.
Number. Brush. Paint.
You use acrylic paint and a brush to fill numbered sections on a canvas. Each number corresponds to a specific paint colour. Section by section the painting builds into a complete artwork with real brushstroke texture and depth.
A craft where you press tiny sparkling resin gems onto a numbered adhesive canvas, one gem at a time, to create a mosaic that catches and throws light from every angle. No drawing, no painting, no experience needed.
A craft where you fill pre-printed numbered sections on a canvas with matching acrylic paint colours, one brushstroke at a time, to build a complete, realistic painting. No drawing ability, no colour mixing, no experience needed.
Which one is right for you?
If you want a sparkling gem mosaic with zero cleanup, choose diamond painting. If you want a real painted artwork with brushstroke depth, choose paint by numbers. Both are equally beginner-friendly. Many crafters love both and do one or the other depending on their mood. Our full comparison guide can help you decide: Diamond Painting vs Paint by Numbers.
2. What Do You Need to Get Started?
The answer is simple: just a kit. Every TheSparkleGrid kit comes with absolutely everything you need to start and finish your project. You do not need to buy any additional supplies.
What comes in a diamond painting kit
Waterproof Adhesive Canvas
Pre-printed with your design and colour symbols. Peel back the protective film section by section as you work.
5D Resin Diamond Drills
Sorted into labelled bags by colour code. 10 per cent extra included in every colour so you never run short.
Applicator Pen and Wax Pad
Press the pen tip into the wax pad to coat it, then pick up gems. Reload every 10 to 20 gems.
Sorting Tray and Colour Chart
Shake the tray sideways to face gems flat-top-up for easy picking. Colour chart maps every symbol to its gem bag.
What comes in a paint by numbers kit
Numbered Linen Canvas
Your design pre-printed with numbered sections. Numbers disappear under two coats of paint.
All Acrylic Paint Pots
Every colour your design needs, labelled with a number matching the canvas. No mixing required.
3-Piece Brush Set
Wide, medium, and fine brushes. Use the right size for each section for clean, even coverage.
Colour Chart and Instructions
Maps every number to its paint pot. Beginner instructions walk you through setup and finishing.
Optional extras worth getting later
For diamond painting: a light pad placed under the canvas makes symbols much easier to read. For paint by numbers: a small cup of water and a clean cloth for rinsing brushes between colours. Neither is needed for your first kit but both are popular upgrades as you progress.
3. How to Choose Your First Kit
Choose the right canvas size
Canvas size is the most important decision for a beginner. Go too small and the finished piece is not impressive enough to motivate you. Go too large and the project feels overwhelming before you have built the habit.
| Size | Best For | Est. Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 20x30cm | Testing if you like the craft. Very quick to complete. | 3 to 8 hrs |
| 30x40cm Recommended first | First proper kit. Impressive result, achievable in sessions. | 8 to 15 hrs |
| 40x50cm | Second or third kit. More detail, longer project. | 15 to 30 hrs |
| 50cm+ | Experienced crafters. Statement wall art pieces. | 30+ hrs |
Choose the right design
For your first kit, choose a design with strong colour contrast and relatively large sections. A golden retriever on a dark background, a vibrant floral design, a landscape with distinct areas. Avoid designs that are very detailed with tiny intricate sections or very subtle tonal variations between sections.
Animals (especially pets), bold florals, and landscapes with strong light and shadow are the most beginner-friendly designs across both crafts.
For paint by numbers: choose Classic (24 colours) for your first kit
Fewer colours means larger sections, which are easier to fill cleanly and less overwhelming. Classic kits produce a beautiful, painterly result that still looks genuinely impressive on the wall. Move to Premium (36 colours) or Ultra (48 colours) once you feel confident.
Our recommendation for your very first kit
Diamond painting: a 30x40cm round drill kit with an animal or floral design. Paint by numbers: a 30x40cm Classic (24 colour) kit with a pet portrait or landscape. Both will take 8 to 15 hours and produce a finished piece you are genuinely proud to display.
4. How to Start Diamond Painting: Step by Step
Flatten and prepare the canvas
Unroll the canvas face-up and lay it flat. Place heavy books on each corner for 20 to 30 minutes if the canvas wants to curl back. Only peel back a small section of the protective film at a time. Never remove it all at once as the adhesive dries out quickly when exposed.
Load the pen with wax
Press the hollow tip of the applicator pen firmly into the wax pad for 2 to 3 seconds. The wax coats the tip and makes it sticky enough to pick up gems. Reload every 10 to 20 gems or whenever drills start dropping from the pen.
Pour one colour and shake the tray
Open one bag of gems, pour a small amount into the sorting tray, and shake it gently sideways. The gems will flip flat-top-up automatically, making them easy to pick up with the pen. Only open one bag at a time to avoid mixing colours.
Find matching symbols and press gems down
Refer to the colour chart to identify which symbol on the canvas matches the gems in your tray. Touch the pen tip to a gem in the tray and it will stick. Carry it to the matching symbol on the canvas and press down firmly until it seats into the adhesive.
Work one colour at a time across the whole canvas
Fill every section of one colour across the entire canvas before moving to the next colour. This is the most efficient approach and gives you satisfying visible progress with every colour you complete.
Do a final press when complete
Once every symbol is filled, cover the entire canvas with parchment paper and roll it firmly with a rolling pin or press with a heavy book. This seats every gem deeper into the adhesive and locks the finished piece securely.
5. How to Start Paint by Numbers: Step by Step
Set up in good light with a flat surface
Good lighting is critical for reading small numbers on the canvas. Natural daylight is ideal. For evening sessions use a bright cool-white lamp above and slightly to the side. Lay the canvas flat on a table or desk and tape the corners lightly to stop it moving as you paint.
Match all paint pots to the colour chart
Before painting, spend 5 minutes arranging all pots in number order and matching each one to the chart. Identify which numbers appear most on your canvas. These are your main colours and where you will spend the most time.
Start with the darkest colours first
Always paint the darkest sections before the lighter ones. Dark paint bleeding into a light section is very visible. Light paint bleeding into a dark section is barely noticeable. Starting dark gives you the structure and outlines of your image early.
Load your brush lightly and paint in smooth strokes
Dip just the tip of your brush into the paint. A lightly loaded brush gives you full control and clean edges. Paint in smooth strokes following the shape of the section. Work from the centre of the section outward toward the edges to prevent bleeding over section lines.
Apply a second coat to all light colours
Light colours (cream, pale pink, soft blue, light yellow) always need two coats to fully cover the printed numbers. Let the first coat dry completely before applying the second. This is completely normal, not a problem with the kit.
Rinse your brush with every colour change
Rinse in clean water until the water runs clear, then dry on a cloth. A clean dry brush picks up pure colour every time. Change your rinse water when it turns too dark to see through.
6. Top Tips for Beginners
Work in good light
The most impactful single change you can make. Numbers and symbols are small. Dim light causes mistakes and eye strain.
Take breaks every hour
Both crafts are absorbing. Hourly breaks reduce eye strain, prevent hand cramps, and keep you fresh for better results.
Track your progress
Take a photo at the end of every session. Watching the transformation is deeply motivating and keeps you coming back.
Keep supplies organised
Arrange gem bags or paint pots in number order before each session. Finding the right colour instantly keeps your flow unbroken.
Do not panic about mistakes
Diamond painting: lift the gem and replace. Paint by numbers: let it dry and paint over it. Both crafts are very forgiving.
Work in short regular sessions
30 to 90 minute sessions are ideal. Both crafts are habit-forming. Most crafters find they naturally come back daily once they start.
Read the instructions first
Spend 5 minutes reading the included instructions before touching any tools. Knowing the process before starting removes all first-session anxiety.
Store unfinished kits properly
Diamond painting: replace the protective film over the canvas. Paint by numbers: seal paint pot lids tightly and store away from direct sun.
7. Finishing and Displaying Your Piece
Finishing a diamond painting
Once every symbol is filled, do a thorough final press: cover the canvas with parchment paper and roll firmly with a rolling pin or heavy book to seat every gem deep into the adhesive. Sealing with diamond painting sealer or matte Mod Podge (two thin coats with a soft brush) is optional but recommended for long-term display. When framing, remove the glass from any standard frame as raised gems need space and glass can dislodge them.
Finishing a paint by numbers painting
Wait 24 hours after your final paint coat before applying varnish. Apply two thin coats of matte or gloss acrylic varnish using a wide soft brush, letting each coat dry fully before the next. Matte varnish gives a classic fine-art look. Gloss makes colours appear more vivid. Paint by numbers canvases can be framed with glass as the surface is flat.
Three framing options for both crafts
Standard photo frame in your canvas size (remove glass for diamond painting). Stretcher bars for a gallery-wrap floating look with no visible frame edge. Canvas-specific frames designed with extra depth for raised surfaces.
8. Custom Kits From Your Own Photo
Once you have completed your first kit or even before you start, you may want to consider a custom kit made from your own photo. Both crafts are available as custom kits at TheSparkleGrid.
- Upload any photo at checkout: pets, portraits, weddings, landscapes, baby photos, travel memories
- Our team converts your photo into a numbered canvas design with a hand-reviewed colour palette
- You receive a complete kit with everything needed to paint or gem your photo
- Available as custom diamond painting kits and custom paint by numbers kits
- Processing takes 3 to 5 business days before shipping
Custom kits make extraordinary gifts. A pet portrait diamond painting or a wedding photo paint by numbers is the kind of personalised gift that people display for decades.
Best photos for a custom kit
Sharp, well-lit photos where the subject fills most of the frame work best. Pets and portraits: choose 40x50cm or larger for enough detail. For more photo tips, read our photo selection guide here.
Ready to Start Your First Kit?
Diamond painting kits from $24.99. Paint by numbers kits from $29.99. Everything included. Ships worldwide.
9. Common Beginner Questions
Do I need any experience or artistic skill to start?
Which craft should I try first?
How long does a kit take to complete?
What if I make a mistake?
Can I do both crafts at the same time?
How do I know when my kit is complete?
Are these crafts suitable for children?
You Are Ready to Start
Diamond painting and paint by numbers are two of the most accessible and rewarding hobbies available today. You now have everything you need to choose your first kit, set up correctly, avoid the most common beginner mistakes, and produce a finished piece you are genuinely proud of.
The only thing left is to pick your first design and start.