Plaid Print
Similar to the Argyle Print post, today I’ll be demonstrating a plaid nail art design. Wear this manicure with a little plaid scarf or something and you’ll look so cute for fall. :)
Start with a base of light pink nail polish. Pictured is “A True Romantic” from the Sephora by OPI collection.
To make our plaid print we’ll be using a liner brush: an invaluable tool for making straight stripes on any nail design.
Dip your liner brush into white acrylic paint, and drag out a stripe along one side of your nail.
Create another line next to your first, one on the opposite side, and one horizontally near the tip of your nail.
Wash out your liner brush in water. Then, with a medium brown acrylic paint (I added white acrylic paint to a chocolate brown to make this caramel color,) drag out a stripe along the single white line on the side, and one above your horizontal tip line.
Always coat your designs in a clear topcoat, especially when using acrylic paint over nail polish.
Now you have plaid print nails. :)
Tags: Acrylic Paint, Paintbrush, Stripes
November 12th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
*Dies* That is adorable. I cannot wait to get myself a nice set of brushes so I can try this. I have the paint, the problem is finding some brushes that don’t cost a fortune. I think I am going to have to resort to eBay…
Also, I have noticed that when it comes to removal, the acrylic paint is somewhat stubborn/gets EVERYWHERE..Is it just me? I’m going to continue using it regardless, it’s too much fun!
November 12th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
Squishy,
Don’t spend more than $5 on a liner brush. These, for instance: http://www.dickblick.com/zz058/47/ are marvelous quality and only about $3. Where did you purchase your paints? Craft stores will have liner brushes, (sometimes called “rigger” or “striper” brushes) for less than beauty supply stores because they’re not “nail art brushes.” Good luck on your brush hunting and let me know if you have any questions. Try Michaels or Aaron’s Brothers.
You’re right about acrylic paint removal - it’s stubborn! There are however, some things you can do to make it a little easier and quicker. First of all, cotton rounds work way better than cotton balls. Put your nail polish remover, (I recommend Sephora by OPI’s nail polish remover,) onto your cotton round and hold that against your nail for 5 seconds. Then, swipe it off in one motion. That should loosen up your acrylic paint. Get a new cotton round and rub the rest off. It’s not too much harder than removing dark nail polish colors, it just takes a little extra rubbing. Dip a cotton swab in nail polish remover if you have any paint stuck around the corners. Anything on your skin or fingertips you can wash off with a nail brush or toothbrush if you like. I hope that helps. :)
November 13th, 2008 at 11:46 am
LOVE THIS! Do you find it harder to do it on your own actual nail than it is to do on a fake nail?
November 13th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Nordia,
I find it hard to hold my camera steady without both of my hands. :) That’s the main reason I use fakes. It is a bit easier to have the benefit of being able to rotate the fake in any direction, but mostly I don’t want to remove what I’m wearing on my nails in order to do a demo.
I do still have difficulties painting some designs with my left hand though, but it’s been getting easier.
November 13th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
I have just come back to see loads more designs, you have so many great ideas :).
I was thinking that maybe it would be good to see a video tutorial of some of your designs? That way people can see it step by step and everything that you actually do. Just thought you might consider this at some point as I think it would be really interesting.
Keep up the good work :)
November 13th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Joanne,
I would love to do a video! That would be so much fun. Unfortunately, I have no filming device, but if I run across one that I can borrow I’ll keep this in mind.
November 14th, 2008 at 2:58 am
Oh my goodness, this is going to sound stupid but - there’s a video recorder on my CAMERA! I hadn’t noticed! I’ll play around with it and see how the quality is. I’d have to research how to upload and edit videos before posting anything. Thanks for the great idea; I’ll wait and see if other readers show in interest in seeing video tutorials also.
November 14th, 2008 at 4:51 am
Hey Asami,
Once again, you are great! Just a little favor/suggestion…when you post updates or new ideas would you mind taking a picture of YOUR nails at the time as I always see them peeking out when holding tools and, of course, looking super cute!
Thank you.
November 14th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Thanks for noting my suggestion :) obviously if you can’t it doesn’t matter but just thought it might be something new you could try. I have a video recorder on my camera too but it doesn’t seem to record for very long. Webcams can be quite cheap so that is another method to perhaps consider. I’ll look out for updates and see if you manage to try out this idea.
November 14th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Bloom - Just for you I posted the purple tips I was wearing in the Plaid Print tutorial. I’ll try to make it a habit to always post what I’m wearing myself. :)
Jo - My SO, (a computer geek) says he’ll help me find a good program for editing video. Can you imagine if I didn’t edit? “Now we’ll just wait for this coat to completely dry……” haha. I think I’d lose all my readers.
November 15th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
these are so cute! what brand top coat do you usually use? I have been using OPI rapid dry and it seems thick after a few uses. I cant seem to prevent bubbles from forming after applying my top coat and its so annoying. Ruins the nails! I dont shake the bottles either. Im thinking that the top coat that OPI makes is maybe a bit thick? what would you recommend?
November 15th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Dots,
I’d recommend adding a thinning solvent to anything you find too thick. This is my favorite one: http://asami.choseit.com/nail-teks-extend/ though there are many other brands. I experience bubbles with unusually thick polishes, so thinning it out might be enough to solve your problem. “Rapid Dry” or fast drying polishes might be something to avoid, in the case that it’s drying too fast and trapping in air bubbles. Try applying drying drops over a regular topcoat instead.
Right now I’m using the topcoat from the Sephora by OPI line, but since it’s made by the same company it might not be what you’re looking for.
December 13th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
Umm, hi! I just wanted to let you know how much i absolutely LOVE your designs! The zebra print is my ultimate favorite. I was just wondering what it is that you set your nail on while you design it. I’m new at nail designing, and I just need a foundation to start on.
:-))
thank you.
December 16th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Kamil,
It’s a pen! A “Gelly Roll” pen to be exact. :)
I stick something called a “Glue Dot” (or a bit of tape will do) on the cap of the pen and it holds the nail until I pull it off. The pen is almost like a finger, so it’s great for practicing on. Give it a try and thank you very much for commenting!
December 21st, 2008 at 1:10 pm
LOL. I would have never thought of that! :)
thats really creative. I’m gonna give it a try. haha
thanks for replying!
and merry xmas!
December 21st, 2008 at 1:10 pm
oh! and what brand of glue do you recommend?
December 21st, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Kamil,
This is the product I use to hold my practice nails to my pens: http://www.gluedots.com/display/router.aspx?DocID=752 They’re very handy. I got mine at Michael’s craft store.
Just touch the tip of your pen to a glue dot and it’ll grab it. The dot will hold your fake nail until you’re ready to remove it.
Merry Christmas to you too! :)
December 21st, 2008 at 7:05 pm
:-))