Paint by Numbers vs Diamond Painting: Which Should You Try First?
If you've never picked up a craft kit before, two of the easiest starting points are paint by numbers and diamond painting (often sold as Diamond Dotz here in Australia). Both are designed for absolute beginners. Both produce a frame-worthy result. Both are calming in a way that scrolling never quite manages.
So which one suits you? Here's a straightforward comparison and a recommendation at the end based on what you're actually looking for.
Quick definitions
Paint by numbers is exactly what it sounds like. You get a printed canvas with numbered areas, a set of small numbered acrylic paint pots, and a few brushes. Match the number, fill the area, repeat. The result is a real painting with brush texture.
Diamond Dotz is a more modern craft. You get an adhesive printed canvas, sparkly resin facets ('dots') in coded colours, and a wax-tipped applicator pen. You pick up each dot with the pen and place it on its matching square. The result is a glittering, mosaic-style picture that catches the light.
Head-to-head comparison
| What matters | Paint by Numbers | Diamond Dotz |
|---|---|---|
| Time per project (small kit) | 8–15 hours | 6–10 hours |
| Difficulty | Very low | Very low |
| Tactile experience | Wet, brush-against-canvas feel | Dry, satisfying click of placing facets |
| Mess factor | Some — paint, water cup, paper towels | Almost none |
| Travel friendly | Not really — paint can spill | Yes (carefully) |
| Pick up and put down | Less easy — paint dries in pots | Easy — the kit waits patiently |
| Finished look | Soft, painterly | Sparkly, mosaic-like |
| Best framed style | Traditional or modern frame | Floating frame or shadow box |
| Mid-project flexibility | Repaintable while wet | Pluck off and re-stick easily |
Choose paint by numbers if…
- You like the smell of real paint and the feel of a brush in your hand.
- You're nostalgic for school art class.
- You want something that looks like a genuine painting hanging on the wall.
- You can dedicate a workspace for a few sessions (paint dries and brushes need rinsing).
- You enjoy seeing rapid progress — large blocks of colour fill quickly.
Start with our Paint by Numbers kits. Look for a 30 x 40 cm canvas with a subject that holds your interest. (Looking at the same scene for 10 hours, you'll want to like it.)
Choose Diamond Dotz if…
- You'd rather avoid wet media and cleanup.
- You want a craft you can do on the couch with a movie on.
- You love sparkle and shimmer in a finished piece.
- You like crafts that you can pause and return to without setup time.
- You find repetitive, gentle motions soothing (it's the same appeal as colouring books).
Start with our Diamond Dotz range. A 30 cm round or square is a good first kit — big enough to feel substantial, small enough to finish in a fortnight of evenings.
What if you want to try both?
Honest answer: try Diamond Dotz first. It's the lower-pressure option — no wet paint, no drying time, no risk of muddied colours. If you finish your first kit and want a more traditional painting experience, then paint by numbers is the natural next step.
If you're buying for someone else as a gift, Diamond Dotz also has a higher 'wow factor' when finished and tends to be the safer gift choice for someone you don't know is into crafts.
What you don't need to worry about
People over-research these decisions. A few things you can stop worrying about:
- "What if I can't draw?" Neither kit requires drawing or any artistic skill. They're paint-by-letters and dot-by-square. Anyone who can read a number can do either.
- "What if I get bored?" Pick a kit with a subject you genuinely like, not one that just looked technically interesting. The subject matters more than the technique.
- "What if I make mistakes?" Both crafts are forgiving. Misplaced dots peel off cleanly with a fingernail. Painted-over numbers can be re-covered when the layer dries.
- "Will it look professional?" Yours will look exactly like the box. Both kits include detailed, repeatable placement instructions.
FAQ
How long does each craft take? A small first kit takes 6–12 hours of total time, usually spread over 3–7 evening sessions. Larger kits scale roughly linearly.
Can children do these? Both kits suit ages 8+. Younger children may need help with the smaller dots (Diamond Dotz) or fine brush work (paint by numbers). Diamond Dotz facets are a choking hazard for under-3s.
What if I run out of paint or dots mid-kit? Email us — we'll source replacements for any kit you bought from us.
Do I need to seal the finished work? Optional. Paint by numbers benefits from a light matte varnish to protect the acrylic. Diamond Dotz are sealed when you press them onto the adhesive canvas — no extra step needed.
Ready to start?
If you're still torn, our recommendation: start with a small Diamond Dotz kit. It's the gentler introduction to both this style of craft and to the idea of slow, finite, finishable creative time. Browse our Diamond Dotz range or our Paint by Numbers kits to choose your first project.