Tutorial Tuesday: Freehand Flowers

Tuesday, February 28, 2012
When I posted this manicure earlier this month, I received lots sweet comments along with a few requests for a tutorial. Before starting the tutorial, I must preface it by saying that I freehanded each flower using a tiny brush and it took much longer than it should have. Since then I realized there is a much easier way to get the same result, so this is how I would make this manicure if I were to do it again...


Supplies:
- Base color nail polish (I used Zoya Kendal)
- Acrylic paint (or nail polish) in white, lavender and purple. Alternatively you can use just white and purple and mix the two colors to get an intermediate.
- Accent color (acrylic paint or nail polish) - I used Sinful Colors Flower Girl which is a nail art polish.
- Brushes - one small accent brush and one larger to paint the white
- Dotting Tools in various sizes


Step 1:
- Apply base coat and desired number of coats of polish and allow to dry completely (this it two coats of Zoya Kendal)
- Using white acrylic paint (or nail polish) outline a curve covering slightly less than half the nail
- Fill in the area with white paint or polish.
NOTE:  I prefer acrylic paint for this step because it dries quickly.


Step 2:
- Using a medium size dotting tool and the darker color (purple) make 5 dots in a flower shape.
- Add a dot in the middle of the flower to fill in the shape.
- Using different size dotting tools add desired number of flowers.


Step 3:
- With a slightly smaller dotting tool, place a lavender or white dot on top of each existing purple dot in the flowers.
- There should be some purple showing along the edge of the new dot.
- Fill in the center of the flower using the lavender or white color.
- Repeat this for all the flowers.


Step 4:
- Using a small detail brush and the darker color, add a few lines from the "petals" to the center of the flower
- Add small curls and leaves using the detail brush


Step 5:
- Place a dot of accent color in the center of each flower
- Add a top coat to seal everything in and you are done!


I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and I would love to know what you think of it!
Let me know if you try it!

Thanks for looking!
Anutka :)