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| Springtime floral watercolour nail art |
About this design:
I was inspired by a few earlier designs I had done (specifically this and this) where I had tried to recreate the look of a watercolour painting. But I wanted to do something more complex, and with more variety of colours. It's pretty abstract, but I was aiming to make it look like some spring flowers in a bouquet or a field.
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| Springtime floral watercolour nail art |
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| Springtime floral watercolour nail art |
To get this look:
I started off with my white base (Pure Ice Superstar! - really a great white base!), and when that was dry, I painted the flowers in with acrylic paint thinned with lots of water. The trick is to use enough water that it spreads, but not so much that you have beads of water sitting on your nails. I like to paint a bit of colour, clean my brush, then wet the brush and use the clean water to spread the colour. You have to work fast so that the paint does not dry before you can spread it. I have a short video on my Instagram here that somewhat shows what I'm talking about.
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| Springtime floral watercolour nail art |
For the brush I used Isabey Kolinsky Sable, size 2/0. It's a watercolour brush, and very nice, although I'm not sure it was worth the $15 it cost at the art store. The best watercolour brushes are made with kolinsky sable hair, and I highly recommend finding such a brush - Winstonia Store sells a nice one that is very affordable. I topped the design with Girly Bits What a Rush and Essie Matte About You.
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| Springtime floral watercolour nail art |
Final thoughts:
So why did I think this design was going to turn out awful? While I was working on it I thought that it was too abstract. However, now that I'm looking at the photos I like how it turned out - it's loose and painterly, but I can still see the flowers.
What do you think of this? Have you tried a watercolour technique for nail art?
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I've never tried it but now I'm going too! It's just lovely Meghan!
ReplyDeleteThank you Serene!
DeleteAbsolutely beautiful! I've done similar techniques, but not to create flowers. I need to give it a try!
ReplyDeleteYou definitely do Ashley! It takes a bit of getting used to, but you can do it. And thank you! :)
DeleteTotally beautiful. It pulls together really well across the nails.
ReplyDeleteThanks Vic! You do such beautiful mural style nails, so that means a lot.
DeleteStupendous!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI have two watercolour style looks this week as well, but THIS is just stunning!
ReplyDeleteThanks Amanda! I can't wait to check out yours. :)
DeleteThe watercolor effect on the flowers are pretty.
ReplyDeleteThank you Lisa!
DeleteThis is really pretty! You're very talented
ReplyDeleteAwww, thanks! *blush*
DeleteAbsolutely lovely... it does look like a field of flowers!
ReplyDeleteThank you! That's good to hear because that's what I was going for. :)
DeleteThis is really pretty ... I would love to create something like this. I understand what you mean about getting the consistency of the paint just right, because that is exactly what I'm struggling with! Painting with acrylics on a nail polish base is very different to painting on paper and I definitely need more practice. Thank you for the Instagram video, it was helpful seeing your technique, and also for the inspiration ... I will keep trying! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Kathryn, and yes, definitely keep trying. Paper is so absorbent, but you don't get that with nail polish. It's very obvious but it took me awhile to figure it out! I still struggle though, but I enjoy painting this way so I keep at it. :)
DeleteI love how soft and pretty this is. It reminds me of a floral printed fabric!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Bee!
DeleteThis looks so pretty, I have to try this out, I would probably get it somewhat good on my left hand, but I my right had would probably end up terrible! Hahah, maybe I should try doing it on someone else then ;) Thank you for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteThese are so gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteIt looks wonderful!
ReplyDeleteWow! This looks stunning! I love the bright flowers
ReplyDeletevery painterly! I think it's lovely - and I can't wait for spring :)
ReplyDeleteI love the abstract look of these!
ReplyDeleteThe colors you chose are perfection. And HOW you used them. And I always admire your mastery of the negative space. Just PERFECTION!
ReplyDeleteI am partial to floral nail art. And these are perfection!
ReplyDeleteTruly a work of art! <3
ReplyDeleteI love this design, and I don't think it's too abstract at all, it looks like a painting! :D
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! It looks like actual dried flowers on your nails!
ReplyDeletejust incredible. I love paintings like this anyway and you've captured this beautifully. I also love how the watercolour has a feel of "raindrops on a painting"
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