Welcome to the ultimate guide for all things diamond painting! Whether you’re a beginner just dipping your toes into this dazzling hobby or a seasoned pro looking to expand your knowledge, understanding the terminology is key to mastering the art of diamond painting. In this comprehensive glossary, we’ll decode the essential terms and jargon that every diamond painter needs to know.
Canvas:
The canvas is the foundation of your diamond painting masterpiece. It serves as the base onto which you’ll place your diamond drills to create the final design. Canvases come in various sizes and can be either full drill, meaning the entire canvas is covered in adhesive, or partial drill, where only certain areas are adhesive-covered, typically to highlight specific parts of the design.
Drills:
Drills are the small resin or acrylic pieces that you’ll place onto the canvas to form the design. They come in a variety of colours and shapes, including round and square, and are sometimes referred to as “diamonds” or “diamond beads.”
Adhesive:
The adhesive is what holds the drills in place on the canvas. It’s essential for ensuring that your finished diamond painting remains intact. Adhesive can come in different forms, including poured glue or double-sided adhesive, both of which provide a sticky surface for the drills to adhere to.
Poured Glue:
Poured glue is a type of adhesive that is poured onto the canvas and spread evenly to create a sticky surface for the drills. It’s a popular choice for diamond painters who prefer a smoother canvas texture.
Double Sided Adhesive:
Double-sided adhesive is another type of adhesive used in diamond painting. It comes pre-applied to the canvas in sheets and typically has a clear cover that is removed to expose the sticky surface.
Tray:
The tray is a tool used to hold and organize your drills while you work. It typically has grooves or ridges that help separate the drills and make them easier to pick up with your drill pen.
Pen:
The pen, also known as a drill pen or applicator, is the tool you’ll use to pick up and place your drills onto the canvas. It typically has a small tip that is coated in wax to help pick up the drills.
Wax:
Wax is applied to the tip of your drill pen to help pick up drills more easily. It adds a bit of stickiness to the pen, making it easier to grab the drills and place them onto the canvas.
Multi-Placer:
A multi-placer is a tool that allows you to place multiple drills onto the canvas at once, speeding up the process for larger areas of the design.
Full Drill:
A full drill diamond painting is one where the entire canvas is covered in drills, creating a complete and detailed image.
Partial Drill:
A partial drill diamond painting is one where only certain areas of the canvas are covered in drills, typically to highlight specific parts of the design.
Round Drills:
Round drills are the most common type of drill used in diamond painting. They are easy to place and create a smooth, uniform surface.
Square Drills:
Square drills are another type of drill used in diamond painting. They have a more angular shape than round drills and can create a more detailed and polished finished product.
AB Drills:
AB drills, short for Aurora Borealis, are special drills that have a unique coating that reflects light and gives them an iridescent shimmer. They add extra sparkle and dimension to your diamond painting.
Blank Canvas:
A blank canvas is a canvas that has no pre-printed design on it. Instead, you create your own design using drills of your choice.
Clear Cover:
The clear cover is a protective layer that covers the adhesive on the canvas. It needs to be removed carefully as you work on your painting to expose the adhesive where you’ll be placing your drills. A clear cover is generally found on poured glue canvases.
Release Paper:
Release paper is another term for the cover over the adhesive on the canvas. It protects the adhesive and needs to be peeled off before you can start placing drills. Often the clear cover on poured glue canvases are replaced with release paper.
Colour Chart:
The colour chart is a key reference tool that helps you keep track of which drills correspond to which colours in the design. It typically includes a legend with colour codes or symbols for easy identification.
DMC Code:
The DMC code is a standardised numbering system used to identify different colours of thread, yarn, or drills in various craft projects, including diamond painting.
Gridding:
Gridding is the process of creating a grid or lattice pattern on the canvas to help guide you in placing your drills. It can be done using a pencil or specialised gridding tape.
Checkerboard Pattern:
The checkerboard pattern is a technique used to create a more even distribution of drills on the canvas. It involves alternating rows of drills in a checkerboard pattern to fill in large areas more efficiently.
Roller:
A roller is a tool used to apply pressure to the canvas after placing the drills to ensure they adhere firmly to the adhesive.
Spacer:
A spacer is a small tool used to maintain even spacing between drills on the canvas, ensuring that your finished painting looks neat and uniform.
Light Pad:
A light pad is a thin, illuminated surface that can be placed under the canvas to provide extra light and enhance visibility while working on your diamond painting.
Drill Container:
A drill container is a storage container used to organize and store your extra drills. It typically has compartments or sections to keep drills separated by color.
Sealer:
A sealer is a protective coating applied to finished diamond paintings to preserve their integrity and enhance their appearance. It helps prevent drills from falling off and protects the canvas from dust and dirt.
Wrapping things up
There you have it – a comprehensive guide to the terminology of diamond painting! We hope this glossary has helped demystify some of the terms and jargon you may encounter on your diamond painting journey. Armed with this knowledge, you’ll be ready to tackle any project with confidence and skill. Happy painting!
