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Diamond painting and paint by numbers are both popular number-coded craft hobbies that let you create beautiful artwork without any artistic training. They share a similar concept: follow a coded pattern, fill in the sections, and end up with something impressive enough to frame and hang on your wall. But the actual crafting experience, the materials, and the results are quite different.
If you’re trying to decide which hobby to try, or if you already enjoy one and wonder whether the other is worth exploring, this comparison covers every angle that matters.
Diamond Painting Overview
Diamond painting involves placing tiny resin rhinestones (called drills) onto a color-coded adhesive canvas using a pen-like applicator tool. Each drill corresponds to a symbol on the canvas, and as you fill in thousands of tiny gems, a sparkling mosaic image emerges. The finished product has a textured, glittering surface that catches light and creates a distinctive sparkle.
Kits come with everything needed: the printed canvas, pre-sorted drills, an applicator pen, wax for pickup, and a sorting tray. No additional purchases are required to complete a project, though many crafters eventually upgrade to better accessories for improved comfort and speed.
The craft has gained enormous popularity since the late 2010s, particularly among adults looking for a calming, repetitive hobby that produces an impressive result. New to diamond painting? Our complete beginner’s guide covers everything you need to know.
Paint by Numbers Overview
Paint by numbers has been around since the 1950s and remains one of the most accessible art-adjacent hobbies. A canvas or board comes pre-printed with outlined sections, each marked with a number. A corresponding set of numbered paint pots provides the exact colors needed. You paint each section with the matching color, and a complete painting gradually appears.
Modern paint by numbers kits have evolved significantly from the basic versions your grandparents might remember. Today’s kits feature detailed designs with 20-40 colors, quality acrylic paints, and canvases that rival traditional paintings when completed. Subjects range from landscapes and animals to famous artwork reproductions and custom photo conversions.
Kits typically include the pre-printed canvas, acrylic paint pots, brushes (usually 2-3 sizes), and sometimes an easel or frame. As with diamond painting, everything needed is in the box.
Difficulty Comparison
Diamond painting has a very low difficulty floor. The fundamental technique, picking up a drill and pressing it onto the canvas, is straightforward enough that children can do it. The main skill involved is patience and attention to detail rather than physical dexterity. Mistakes are easily correctable by lifting and repositioning drills.
Paint by numbers requires slightly more skill, specifically brush control. Keeping paint within small numbered sections demands a steady hand, especially in tiny areas. Brush cleanup, paint consistency management, and drying time between adjacent sections add complexity. Mistakes are harder to fix since paint needs to dry before a correction layer can be applied.
Overall, diamond painting is the easier of the two crafts for absolute beginners. Paint by numbers involves a learning curve with brush technique, whereas diamond painting’s learning curve is minimal.
Time Investment
Both hobbies require a significant time investment, but the time distribution differs.
Diamond painting: A medium canvas (40x50cm) typically takes 15-25 hours. You can pick up and put down the project instantly, with no setup or cleanup time between sessions. Start placing drills the moment you sit down, and walk away at any point without concern. This makes diamond painting ideal for 15-minute breaks as well as multi-hour sessions.
Paint by numbers: A comparable-sized canvas takes a similar total time (15-30 hours), but each session involves additional setup and cleanup. Arranging paints, wetting brushes, and cleaning up afterward add 5-10 minutes per session. Wet paint sections also need drying time before adjacent areas can be painted, which can interrupt your flow.
The practical difference is session flexibility. Diamond painting is easier to do in short bursts because of zero setup time, while paint by numbers benefits from longer, uninterrupted sessions.
Cost Analysis
Both hobbies are affordable compared to many other crafts, but the cost structure differs.
Diamond painting kits range from $8-80 depending on brand, size, and quality. Budget kits (YALKIN, generic Amazon brands) run $8-15. Premium kits (Diamond Art Club, Heartful Diamonds) run $30-80. Accessories like light pads ($15-30) and storage containers ($8-15) are one-time purchases that improve the experience but aren’t required. See our kit buying guide for recommended options at every price point.
Paint by numbers kits range from $10-50 for standard options and up to $80+ for premium or oversized canvases. The included paints and brushes are sufficient for the specific project but aren’t reusable for other projects. If you want to touch up or blend colors (a common desire as skills improve), additional acrylic paint purchases add cost.
On a per-project basis, the costs are comparable. Diamond painting has the edge in long-term value because leftover drills can be used in future projects, and accessory purchases amortize over many projects.
Finished Results Comparison
This is perhaps the most subjective comparison, as aesthetic preferences vary widely.
Diamond paintings have a unique, sparkling texture that’s impossible to replicate with any other medium. The faceted drills catch and reflect light, creating a shimmering effect that changes as you move around the room. From a distance, they look like detailed mosaic artwork. Up close, the individual gems and their sparkle are clearly visible. Diamond paintings are distinctively “craft” in appearance, which is either a feature or a limitation depending on your taste.
Paint by numbers produces a result that more closely resembles traditional artwork. A well-executed paint by numbers canvas looks like an actual painting, and many people can’t distinguish a completed project from hand-painted art at casual viewing distance. The surface is flat and matte (or can be sealed with gloss varnish), without the textured sparkle of diamond painting.
Both look excellent when framed and displayed. Diamond paintings stand out as unique conversation pieces, while paint by numbers blend more naturally into traditional home decor.
Mess and Cleanup Factor
This is a clear differentiator between the two crafts.
Diamond painting is virtually mess-free. The drills are dry, solid, and contained in bags or trays. The worst-case scenario is a spilled tray of drills, which simply requires picking them up. No staining, no drying time, no brush cleaning, no water cups to knock over. This makes it ideal for working on any surface, including couches, beds, and shared spaces.
Paint by numbers involves liquid paint and all the mess potential that comes with it. Paint can drip, brushes need cleaning, spills can stain surfaces, and wet canvases need safe drying spots. You need a dedicated workspace or protective covering for the surface you’re working on. Acrylic paint washes out of clothing and surfaces if caught while wet but becomes permanent when dry.
For crafters who share spaces, have small children, or prefer to work on the couch while watching television, diamond painting’s mess-free nature is a significant advantage.
Relaxation and Mindfulness Benefits
Both crafts are frequently cited for their calming, meditative qualities, but they engage the mind differently.
Diamond painting is highly repetitive and rhythmic. The pick-up-and-place motion becomes automatic, allowing your mind to wander or focus on podcasts, audiobooks, or conversation while your hands work. Many crafters describe entering a “flow state” where time passes unnoticed. The repetitive nature is similar to adult coloring books but with a more tactile, satisfying physical element.
Paint by numbers requires more active attention. You need to select the right color, manage paint consistency, control your brush strokes, and monitor drying areas. This active focus can be equally relaxing but in a different way. It occupies the mind more fully, which some people find better for quieting anxious thoughts. The creative element of brush work also provides a sense of artistic accomplishment.
According to research published in the American Psychological Association journal, engaging in creative activities like crafting can reduce cortisol levels and improve mood. Both diamond painting and paint by numbers qualify as the type of focused creative activity that provides these benefits.
Which Is Right for You?
Use this quick guide to match each craft to your preferences.
Choose diamond painting if you:
- Want a mess-free hobby you can do anywhere
- Prefer a repetitive, meditative crafting experience
- Want to multitask (listen to podcasts, watch TV) while crafting
- Enjoy unique, sparkly artwork that stands out
- Want minimal learning curve and easy correction of mistakes
- Like crafting in short sessions with no setup or cleanup
Choose paint by numbers if you:
- Want a result that looks like traditional fine art
- Enjoy the feel of painting and working with brushes
- Want to develop artistic skills that transfer to freehand painting
- Prefer a more actively engaging mental focus
- Have a dedicated craft workspace where mess isn’t a concern
- Like the traditional, matte appearance of painted artwork
Many crafters enjoy both hobbies, switching between them depending on their mood, available time, and workspace. They’re complementary rather than competing, and trying both gives you two distinct creative outlets to choose from on any given day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can kids do both crafts?
Diamond painting is suitable for children around age 6 and up, with brands like Diamond Dotz offering specific kids’ kits with larger drills. Paint by numbers kits for children are available for ages 5 and up with simpler designs and larger sections. Both make excellent grandparent-grandchild activities.
Which hobby is cheaper to maintain long-term?
Diamond painting has a slight edge because leftover drills accumulate into a reusable collection, and one-time accessory purchases (light pad, storage) serve you indefinitely. Paint by numbers paints are project-specific and can’t be reused, though some crafters buy additional acrylic paints for touch-ups and blending.
Which produces better wall art?
This is purely subjective. Diamond paintings are eye-catching conversation starters with their unique sparkle. Paint by numbers produces artwork that’s more traditionally “painterly.” Both look excellent framed and displayed. Many crafters rotate both types on their walls.
Can I try both without spending a lot?
Absolutely. Budget diamond painting kits start around $8, and basic paint by numbers kits start around $10. For under $20, you can try both hobbies and discover which resonates with you before investing in larger or premium kits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the main difference between diamond painting and paint by numbers?
Diamond painting involves placing tiny resin rhinestones onto an adhesive canvas to create a sparkling, textured finished product, while paint by numbers uses traditional paint and brushes on canvas. Diamond painting produces a glittering mosaic effect that catches light, whereas paint by numbers creates a more traditional painted artwork with a flat finish.
Do I need any special skills or artistic training to do diamond painting?
No, diamond painting requires no artistic training whatsoever. You simply follow the color-coded pattern on the canvas and use the applicator pen to place the drills in their corresponding sections, making it perfect for beginners of any age.
What supplies come included in a diamond painting kit?
Diamond painting kits come complete with a printed color-coded canvas, pre-sorted resin rhinestones (drills), a pen-like applicator tool, wax for picking up the drills, and a sorting tray. You don’t need to purchase any additional materials to start and complete a project.
Which craft takes longer to complete, diamond painting or paint by numbers?
Diamond painting typically takes longer than paint by numbers because you’re placing thousands of individual tiny stones one at a time onto the canvas. The time commitment for either hobby varies based on canvas size, but the detailed placement process in diamond painting makes it more time-intensive overall.