14 January 2015

The Digit-al Dozen Does Fairy Tales, Day Three: Rapunzel by Brothers Grimm

Hi everyone! Tonight's nail art almost didn't happen. And while it didn't turn out as expected, I'm quite happy to just be posting this. For Day Three of Digit-al Dozen week, I took on the story of Rapunzel - the author is unknown, but it was compiled and published by Brothers Grimm.

Rapunzel-inspired nail art


The story and the design: 

I imagine the story is quite familiar to most: Rapunzel is a girl locked away in a tall tower with amazing long, golden hair that also serves quite conveniently as a ladder. I had every intention of painting her with golden hair, but instead I ended up with a more gothic version of Rapunzel. I like to think this is the moodier, darker Rapunzel. After all, she's locked away in a tower - that's got to get very boring after awhile. ;)

Rapunzel-inspired nail art

Rapunzel-inspired nail art (detail)

To get this look:

I used only black acrylic over my base colour. To be honest, the face was near impossible. I find that blocking it out with a very, very light wash is the best way to start, then I can add more detail with darker washes. I also went back in with the polish to cover up some mistakes.

Rapunzel-inspired nail art

  • Base: OPI My Vampire is Buff
  • Design: Acrylic paint in black
  • Brush: Pure Color Glamor 1 from Stylish Nail Art on Etsy
  • Top coats: Girly Bits What a Rush and Essie Matte About You

Rapunzel-inspired nail art

Final thoughts:

Doing this made me realize I need a lot of practice with portraiture. So that will be one of my goals in the near future. 

What do you think of this? Do you like the story of Rapunzel?

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45 comments:

  1. Rapunzel's face is so perfectly done!

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    1. Ere, thank you! I really struggled with that so I appreciate the comment. :)

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  2. The whole 'wash' effect is perfection! It's truly a piece of art on your nails. Rapunzel's story is pretty high on my list of favorites, so I'm really glad you decided to do these,

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    1. Thanks for the sweet comment Roselynn! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

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  3. Holy moley! This is stunning. Perfection.

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  4. This is so gorgeous. I love the faded washed effect.

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    1. Thank you! I've been playing with different ways to paint with acrylics, so I was happy with how that turned out.

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  5. Seriously amazing!! It looks just like a sketch!

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    1. Thanks Ashley! I have a tendency to do that! ;)

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  6. This is super amazing!! Truly a piece of art!

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  7. Wow. Just wow. This is gorgeous. I love the way her hair looks. You managed to capture the flow of it perfectly.

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    1. Thanks Serene! I was happy with how the hair turned out too. :)

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  8. This is seriously art. I love it.

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  9. This reminds me of Greek and Roman art. It's just stunning!

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    1. Wow, thanks for the comparison Bee! :)

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  10. I feel like this week was designed for you - your strengths are totally shining through! All I can say is DAMN, girl.

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    1. Thank you Hannah! I like this week's prompt, I just wish I could enjoy it more! Work has been so stressful. :(

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  11. I like your darker version - totally beautiful!

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  12. Hi...I love, love, love your artistry! If you don't mind, I have a couple questions: I noticed you mentioned you planned to paint her with golden hair...I'm just wondering why you didn't? Oh, also, so many nail artists lately are using the Pure Color brushes. Could you tell me what the bristles are made of? I can't find that information online. Many thanks! I'm looking forward to the remaining fairy tales you'll create.

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    1. Thanks Delphi, and no I don't mind! Why I didn't paint her with golden hair: well I was painting the face and I so focused on getting it to look right. I was using the black only and filling in the shadows and dark areas, so it felt right to just use black and no colour. Also the face had a darker, moodier look, so I wanted the hair to match. The brush: I'm almost 100% certain it's synthetic - it doesn't feel as soft as my sable brushes - but that info is not on the packaging.

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  13. Oh portraiture...terrifying! But this is really well done. I have one portrait coming up, wait till you see, you're going to feel better. I love love love yours!

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    1. I agree, portraiture IS terrifying! But you can only get better at it. ;) I'm sure your's will be great!

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  14. Such a great design, I love that soft yellow base color!

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    1. Thanks Julie! My Vampire is Buff is absolutely my favourite base for nail art, I don't know what I'd do without it!

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  15. This is wonderful. It looks like an aged sketch! Love it!

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  16. This is so AMAZING! It looks straight out of an art history book or something!

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  17. She looks sad, and almost bitter. Kind of how I image I would be locked away for so long. Beautifully done, Meghan!

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  18. This sketchy style, on a creme base - I'd like to think it's your signature style! Perfectly executed, definitely NOT something I'd ever try myself because I wouldn't do it justice!

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  19. Wow wow wow. You did an amazing job! Even if all the lines weren't exactly where you wanted them to be, you can really get the feel of the mood. Haha, does that make sense?

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  20. This is amazing work! You're really talented.

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  21. Such a classic design. Very Da Vinci-esque!

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  22. Meghan, this is just so beautiful. I think you should paint portraits every time so I can drool over them. I commend you for working to get this done with all the extra work you've been dealing with lately!

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  23. This is stunning. Reminds me of Da Vinci and Michelangelo sketches!

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