It's been a long time since I picked up a brush to paint...2003, I believe...when I redecorated my sewing/craft studio. That said, most of my painting supplies were for painting on furniture and other large surfaces. Since I had the day off on Sunday due to the snow, I trekked over to Michael's for some paint and brushes.
Geez Louise- things have gone up in price! Instead of leaving with the Liquitex set I planned on getting ($90), I got a Reeves Intro Set for a sweet $11.99, a bunch of brushes and a new clean-up brush.
Anyway, I didn't have as much time to spend on my nails as I thought I would. My dh did not get called into work like he said, so I had to juggle time spent between the 2. My flower garden mani didn't turn out too bad- definitely much nicer to look at than the view of 15+ inches of snow out my window. Considering the time I had and the fact that I've never freehanded on anything this small before, I'm happy with my first attempt.
The following pics taken at night under incandescent light, and not very color accurate. Click to make bigger...
bling;
The following pictures taken this morning under natural light and are more color accurate;
My dh picked the base color for this mani, China Glaze Rio. I used 1 coat of Rio over (my underwear), 2 coats of Avon Ballerina. I'm pretty much mortified at the condition of my hands in all my pics, especially this next one- don't click on it!
Black tips done using guides and 1 coat QingYu black;
Fauxnad plate T27, stamped with QingYu black. The purpose of stamping something here is to create depth...any image would do. I used the bubble image because I love it and needed to practice this problematic (for me) image.
Reeves Intro Set...18 tubes of color for $11.99!
Nfu-Oh #50 layered over black tips. Yellow rhinestones and iridescent hex glitter (AB crystal and black) also used.
2 coats of Seche...should and will get another before I leave for work.
18 comments:
Very pretty!
that's fantabulous
That is really amazing! I'm very impressed.
holy CRAP. youre amazing!! i believe each nail is a tiny canvas and you really really really put that idea into play here!! you should put some of your work on actual canvases too! id hate to have to wipe it away once it starts chipping.
i used to use acrylic paint on canvas board but i dont have the space or time for it. i really do miss it though.
Looks like a work of art! These need to be framed and hung on wall - really great work girly!
I think you are one of the most amazing nail-bloggers there is. I know I'm heavy on the praise, but really, every time I read your blog, you have done something I have never though about.
But, I have to ask you; didn't the acrylics get quite thick and need extra topcoat?
That is so pretty! You are very, very talented!
<span>Just such a beautiful manicure. Looks like Spring is coming soon. Wish it was. Your talents are amazing!</span>
Amazing as always and I agree with everyone...you certainly are very talented! Am verryyyy jealous!
Wow. You're so talented! You're one of the bloggers who initially inspired me to get into nail art and to start blogging about it. Thank you for sharing what you do!
I may be strange, but I'd love to sit and watch you do your nails one day, just to see what tools you use, how you put a look together. Do you sketch out designs before you do them, or just jump in and decide as you go?
I'm not the original poster, but I use acrylics a lot in my nail art. Acrylics are great because they can be used straight from the tube in a very thick form, or you can thin them with water to the point they're almost totally sheer. I tend to thin my acrylic paint so that it flows very nicely and it really doesn't get that lumpy.
Combine this with the fact that Seche Vite can level out just about anything and it comes out fine. Seriously, I used Seche Vite on a piece of lace and wound up with glassy-smooth nails! Crazy stuff, and I love it!
Thank you Laynie!
I mix my acrylic colors with a retarder to thin them out a bit and to extend the time it takes to dry them. I have used acrylic directly from the tube, and yes, it can be somewhat thick. As Laynie said a coat or two of Seche usually takes care of lumpiness.
Thank you so much Lanie!
Inspiration...I have a little story about it. In 2003, I met KaRin, the lead singer of Collide (and a crafty artist outside of her music)at a club. At the time, my corset making business was in full swing, and she was interested in comissioning one. During our conversation, I mentioned to her that her music directly influenced and inspired a corset I had just finished. Her response was- "The mark of a true artist is when they inspire the work of another." She's right.
I had a chance to peruse your Blog, and it's wonderful! I am not very good with the verbal part of my Blog, and I am envious at your writing- so engaging! Oh yea, and I love your idea of blogger business cards.
Anyway, I have rolled around the idea of taping a nail art session several times. I think it would be fun to do one, but finding the time to learn how to do it and finding time to actually do it don't work with my schedule at present.
To answer your question directly, In the begining of my Blog, I tried sketching. It didn't work very well...I never brought a single sketch to nail! Once out of my head, an idea is done, finished, never to be revisited.
Sometimes, I don't get the fuss about my talent. I'm not ungrateful by any means- I am extremely flattered, BUT-I believe that there are other bloggers who do better visual artwork than I.
I've been thinking about this after the many "talent" comments on my arty nails...
(After some color combo testings on plastic) I dive into work with a loose plan from something that has not only inspired me, but has given me a feeling or an emotion. In this post, the art was inspired by a vintage Christmas card I received that produced memories of my childhood and the greeting cards in my beloved grandfather's General Store...melancholy feelings about time gone by.
Perhaps that's what all the fuss is about...maybe the emotion that inspires me gets translated to nail...
dunno- What I DO know- I can't believe I just wrote all this.
Anyway Lanie, thank you for answering Lisa's question. I've been meaning to get to it and if you had not jumped in, I would have put it off until it was way too late for an answer.
Ahhh, but it's not wiped away..it's preserved in pictures!
Girl, go get yourself paint and brushes and work on a compact base. If you miss it, it obviously fulfilled something within you and is worth going back to.
Awwww, I'm glad you wrote that much!! I'm a big sketcher, although I don't seem to take many designs from sketch to nail. I think the process of sketching/doodling helps me work ideas out in my head, though. I also do a lot of tests on plastic just to get an idea of how certain colors work together, or whether a technique will work or not.
I love that you've worked in so many media. I've wanted to make corsets for years, but I don't think I have the talent required for it. I know where my strengths are, and sewing requires skills that are pretty weak for me. I could design them, but actually making them is probably beyond me. :D
And you're right... inspiration can come from so many places- music, food, random conversations, junk mail... I get inspired by the strangest things sometimes! It's why I keep a notebook with me at all times. Sometimes I just have to sit down and get an idea on paper before I've gotten it.
And you're right- I think the emotion of your nail art comes through. It's more than just pictures, although i can't really describe it. You combine things in ways that are very unique, and as a result you come up with these organic designs that are so much more than just the stamps or whatever. It's amazing, whether you realize it or not! =P
Thank you for the comment about my writing. I really love to write, and I'm enjoying having a forum to get my writing seen! Now, if only I could translate it into something that gives me a paycheck... :D
Happy Holidays! And you're welcome... I'm always willing to help out if I can! :D
Creative beauty! Thanks for sharing, looks gorgeous! I thought the base would be Afterglow from the first few pics, but nope! Great color combos... Reminds me of stained glass & oriental gardens! =)
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