Pixel Hobby and diamond painting both recreate an image square by square, but with different materials. In diamond painting, you stick sparkling rhinestones onto an adhesive canvas; in Pixel Hobby, you click small matte plastic pixels into base plates, with no glue and no ironing. The first gives a glittering picture, the second a soft, even image close to a digital illustration.
How each hobby works
Diamond painting is done on a canvas printed with symbols and coated with poured glue. Using an applicator, you place the drill of the matching colour on each symbol. Little by little, the image appears in relief and catches the light. Discover our diamond painting kits.
Pixel Hobby is a mosaic made of small coloured plastic cubes. You press them one by one into base plates designed to hold them, following a pattern with its colour code. The pixels stay in place thanks to a mechanical fixing system: no glue, no drying, no residue. Browse all our Pixel Hobby kits.
Comparison table: Pixel Hobby or diamond painting?
| Criterion | Diamond painting | Pixel Hobby |
|---|---|---|
| What you place | Sparkling drills (rhinestones), round or square | Pixels: small matte plastic cubes |
| Base | A printed adhesive canvas | Base plates that connect to each other |
| Glue | Yes: the canvas is coated with poured glue | No: the pixels click in with simple pressure |
| Ironing or drying | No | No iron and no drying |
| Fixing a mistake | Possible, by lifting the drill with the tweezers | A misplaced pixel can be removed and put back |
| Final look | Sparkling, with light effects | Soft, matte and even, close to a digital illustration |
| Special effects | Aurora Borealis (AB), Tiki Sparkle (ND) and metallic drills | Matte finish: shading comes from the number of colours, from 28 to over 160 depending on the kit |
| Sizes | From 10 × 10 cm mini canvases to large formats with a long side of about 130 cm | From 1 plate (10 × 12.5 cm) to 4 plates (20 × 25 cm), 9 plates (30 × 38 cm) and up to 30 plates |
| Kit contents | Canvas, drills sorted by colour, applicator, wax, tray, tweezers, washi tape, manual | Base plates, coloured pixels, detailed pattern with its colour code |
| Recommended age | From 6 for simple designs, 10 and over for complex designs | From 6 for simple designs, 10 and over for complex designs |
The look: sparkle or softness?
This is often the deciding factor. A diamond painting reflects light: every facet shines and the artwork changes with the lighting, especially with special drills. To learn more about them, read Special, AB, Metallic, ND Drills: What’s the Difference?
A Pixel Hobby has a matte look. Its colours are bold and even, which gives a very crisp result, halfway between mosaic and pixel art. Example: Spring to life by Jon Rattenbury, a tree in bloom on 30 × 38 cm.
Which one should you choose?
- You love things that sparkle and want an artwork that catches the light: choose diamond painting.
- You prefer a glue-free activity that is clean and easy to correct: choose Pixel Hobby.
- You are looking for an activity to share with a child: both are suitable from age 6 with a simple design. Pixel Hobby, with no glue, is especially easy to handle.
- You want a large, very detailed picture: both come in large formats; for diamond painting, look at the Intermediate and Expert levels.
To get started with diamond painting, follow our guide First diamond painting: which kit should you choose for your level? For Pixel Hobby, read Pixel Hobby: what exactly is it?
Good to know about delivery
Oraloa Pixel Hobby kits are shipped directly from the Netherlands. If your order also contains other products, you may receive several parcels on different dates. Depending on your country, customs duties or import taxes may apply to Pixel Hobby kits; they are payable by the customer.
And if you enjoy needle and thread, Oraloa also offers cross stitch on printed canvas: a 14CT canvas with the design printed on it and Egyptian cotton threads.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need glue or an iron for Pixel Hobby?
No. The pixels hold onto the plate thanks to a mechanical fixing system that is clean, simple and safe.
Do the pixels stay in place over time?
Yes, once in place they stay firmly fixed. To secure your creation permanently, frame it or stick it onto a rigid backing with double-sided tape.
What if I lose some pixels?
Each kit contains a small margin of extra pixels. If you lose or damage some, contact us: when this service is available for your design, bags of pixels are sold individually.
Which of the two sparkles more?
Diamond painting, without a doubt: its faceted drills reflect the light. Pixel Hobby goes for a matte, even finish.
Can a Pixel Hobby be framed?
Yes. There are frames designed to hold a finished Pixel Hobby artwork: check how many plates your picture has before choosing the frame size.
