Sponging
Recently I received a comment from a reader who said she’s not after too many complicated designs, and would like to see a technique that’s a little easier to do. When I don’t have the time to get completely involved in detail-decorating all ten of my nails, a quick and easy technique that’s still interesting to look at is sponged designs. Sponging is a great technique to start with because we all hopefully have an extra clean sponge under the sink, while the same is not necessarily true for nail brushes or other more difficult to find nail art supplies.
These are the materials you will need to try the sponging technique. Some water, a squishy and clean sponge, and a small dab of regular acrylic paint in any color.
This is about the amount of paint you’ll need loaded onto your sponge. Any more and you won’t get distinct spots of paint, but more like splotches. Wet your sponge very lightly and squeeze out the excess water before stamping it over your dab of acrylic paint. If you get too much paint on your sponge, stamp it onto a piece of paper or paper towel until you can see the sponge pattern emerging.
Simply press the sponge onto your painted nail for a snowy effect. I usually apply my sponge design only to the tip, like a soft and delicate French manicure, but the sponging technique could just as easily be worn all over the nail or in stripes if you cut your sponge into strips beforehand. Stamp it onto your nail as many times as you need to until you get the amount of paint spots that you desire.
Rinse your sponge out with water and squeeze out the excess water after every few nails or use different areas of the sponge to keep each nail evenly spotted. You can try different color combinations or even layer sponged colors over one another after the first layer dries. Don’t worry about getting acrylic paint on your cuticles or skin, (I always do when applying this technique) because acrylic paint washes right off with plain soap and water. Which means - don’t forget to seal your entire design with a clear topcoat. Make sure you do so after your acrylic paint dries, or you’ll lose your pretty work when you wash your hands.
Tags: Acrylic Paint, Sponging, Tips
August 16th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
It is nice to see some more simple techniques like this too, you have a good variety up :)
It is amazing what you can use to help create a design or effect isn’t it?
August 16th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
This is simply brilliant! What a great technique. I never thought that a sponge could create such an effect. It’s really simple but it looks great! I can’t wait to try this out. Thanks for your help!! This is exactly what I’m looking for. =]
August 16th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Jo, I know what you mean! I’m always keeping my eyes open for random things around the house that I can use on my nails. You never know what will work. I’ll try to keep an even amount of difficulty-levels up so the site can appeal to lots of people. Thank you for being a regular visitor. :)
Allie, I’m so glad you’re excited to try out this technique! I was a little worried it wouldn’t appeal to you, so whew! Don’t hesitate to request another tutorial if you come up with any ideas.
October 21st, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Hi!!!
I really really love your blog and your nail tutorials!! But, lately, i cannot see your pictures, instead of that it says “this image or movie has been moved or deleted”. That makes me sad because i’d like to see more of your designs!
XOXO, Yurita.
October 31st, 2009 at 8:48 am
Any tips on how I can see pics on this blog? Is the only one I have trouble with…just get the Photobucket general, “this pic is unavailable or has been moved” graphic.