Sorry for posting this picture with the contest entry... This is the only picture where my index is actually in focus :( I didn't realize until the next day and my index is chipped now
I'm really trying to push myself to try more freehand nail art! I did this as an entry to a nail art contest on Instagram... the theme is black and white but the rules said that other colors could be used as long as black and white are the main colors... so hopefully this qualifies!
This mani was inspired by this "Chinese Black And White Traditional Ink Painting, Plum Blossom On White Background." I actually thought these were cherry blossoms when I saw it on google images... didn't realize it was a different blossom until I went to the website to cite it! image found here
I tried to replicate the look of the ink on paper by putting only a tiny bit of black paint on my brush for certain spots. The brush was almost dry and the paint lightened and tapered off in a few places. This was a lot more obvious before I applied top coat. I think you can see this best on my middle finger, and a bit on my ring finger too.
I found it really difficult to replicate the flowers on my nails. It was difficult to draw them so small and I felt like they just looked like little bows or something. I decided to just do dots in pink to create cherry blossoms instead.
Overall I'm pretty happy with the way my branches came out but I think I definitely need more practice drawing flowers rather than just creating them with dots.
What do you think of this mani? Do you have any tips for freehand nail art? Other than practice of course :)
It looks great! You did a nice job free handing it. I'm not that great at free handing myself but for advice, I suggest to take your time with it. I'm sure the more you do it, the more you'll improve :)
ReplyDeletethanks Lisa! I probably should've spent longer on it but I was impatient lol
DeleteI think the freehand is really good! :D Simple but very beautiful. :) I used to use Reeves as acrylic paint and they were horrible. :)) Too thick and difficult to blend. I'm now using oumaxi acrylic paints. You can search for them on eBay :)
ReplyDeletethanks Breena! thanks for the tip too... my acrylics are from a craft store and they aren't that great... it's hard to get a smooth even line... i have to go over my lines twice sometimes... it worked for this look though
DeleteThis looks really great! I really want to work on my freehand nail art, too...I think I need to give acrylics a try. You did a wonderful job! :)
ReplyDeletethanks Justina! ya definitely give acrylics a try if you want to try freehand... the really great thing about acrylics is they just wash off! usually I do my base color and add top coat... once that's dry I start painting with acrylic paint... and if i don't like it i just wash it off under the tap... if it's dried sometimes you need to use a nail brush/old toothbrush to scrub it off but it's nice that you don't need to redo your base polish :)
DeleteAw your freehand looks really good! I love how you had the blossoms as the added color. It looks beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThanks Traci! I was undecided on adding the color... I kind of liked the stark black and white look... I was worried it would look more girly with color but it was just too hard to draw the flowers that tiny! In the end I think the color did add to it too :)
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