NTNA Pre Challenge 1

Model Sketch: Staring with a white nail then adding a faded background to help the colored design pop off the nail. A model sketch is usually "10 heads tall" so I measured this out using the connect the dot method. Making out the models body dimentions with small dots helps keep body parts proportioned. After connecting the dots shade in the areas to make it one solid shadow. CURE. The colors used, to bring life to the design, are CND Shellac Hand Fired and Denim Patch mixed with a little bit of Midnight Swim. After the colors are filled in to your liking(CURE) it is time for detail and shading. When doing very fine lines it is best to use a nail art brush with very short, thin bristles. Do not pick up too much product and flood the bristles, you will end up with chunky lines. Just remember, less is more and take your time. This model wouldn't be complete without a handbag using Leather Satchel. CURE. A matte top coat was used to seal in this work of art.  

Cutting the denim: Starting with a white nail then adding Midnight Swim Shellac to show where your denim will lay. Make round sided triangles for the edge where the material is to look lifted and keep these flaps a solid texture because this is the underside of the denim. Using Denim Patch mixed with Cream Puff Shellac, make your detail lines showing the weaving pattern of the threads in the material by making small hashtags where you want this texture. CURE. Add a very thin layer of Denim Patch Shellac over the cured texture to smooth it out. You can play around with the desired texture because there are so many different jean colors available. The scissors and measuring tape are added to show the "making of the denim pants." Once the shape of the scissors and tape are set its all in the detail around the tools that makes it pop. Time to get that tiny detail brush out and the Black Pool Shellac to create the 3D look with fine lines and shading. CURE. Finish with a matte top coat.  

Model fitting: A nice clean white nail starts as a canvas ready for art. A true nude color is applied to the full nail (CURE) and the detail for the facial structure is mapped out using Cream Puff Shellac and a fine detail brush. The neck line and sweater are created by swiping Black Pool and Hand Fired at the free edge of the nail. CURE. Shading around the face is done by mixing the true nude base with a darker color. Be aware of your shaddows. Hair color using Fedora Shellac, and a little Sugared Spice added to the sweater for added flare. CURE. Get that fine detail brush out again. Add some lips with, my fav, Ox Blood Shellac, more detail to the sweater and side bangs. Yes, a model need accessories, with a dotting tool place small dots for a necklace and an earring. I finished the jewelry using Patina Buckle Shellac for a little extra shine. Continue shading and detailing until the look is complete. CURE. Finish with a matte top coat.  

Denim waitstband: A nice clean white nail starts as a canvas ready for art. A true nude color is applied to the full nail (CURE) and the detail for the sweater, waistline and jeans are added. Using Hand Fired and Black Pool Shellac for the sweater and Midnight Swim and Denim Patch for the jeans.CURE. Using the hashtag method give the jeans texture(cure) and then smooth with Denim Patch Shellac(cure). Mixing Denim Patch with Cream Puff Shellac makes a good light color for highlighting and you can do the opposite with Black Pool for shading. Detail the sweater with your desired pattern. CURE. Get out the tiny detailing brush and concentrate on your lines. CURE. Jeans have a lot of seams and you want them to look as life like as possible. Finish with a matte top coat.  

Denim Patch: A nice clean white nail starts as a canvas ready for art. Using the polish brush right out of the bottle, stripe Leather Satchel and Hand Fired Shellac across the nail. CURE. Midnight Swim(cure) layed under Denim Patch(cure) starts off the pocket. Time for the hashtag texture method, mixing Denim Patch with Cream Puff and crisscrossing over the patch(CURE). Smoothing with a thin layer of Denim Patch(cure). Adding the top flap with Midnight Swim and outlining with Black Pool(cure). Here comes that tiny detailing brush. Add stitching around the pocket, flap and on the Leather Satchel stripes to look like actual leather straps on the nail. Button up the pocket using a dotting tool(cure). Finish with a matte top coat.