NTNA Pre Challenge 1

I select some long tips, more room for painting! then I buff all of them and write numbers on the back because I hate trying to read the tiny number on the tips. I wipe with alcohol to remove the dust.  

I apply 2 coats of white gel polish. I remove the dispersion layer with alcohol and then I give them a gentle buffing.  

I start painting spheres with watered down black acrylic paint. I then use a wet paper towel to remove some of the paint from the center to give them a variegated look.  

I paint all of the tips this way with spheres of different sizes and shades to create an original and unique background.  

I then sketch the insects in pencil. Then I create a void in the gel polish by filing to expose the clear tip underneath making the wings.  

I start filling in the color by mixing two colors of acrylic paint together while they're still wet to create an ombre effect. I water down some acrylic paint very thin to create a wash on the wings. then I begin adding details in with black acrylic and a very fine brush.  

I continue adding more detail with the black acrylic paint and fine brush. I add some white dots to the long horn beetle.  

I finish adding the rest of the details. Then I apply two coats of top coat(curing in between) so that I don't loose any of my paint when I wipe off the dispersion layer. I wipe off the dispersion layer with alcohol.  

I get a little more creative and play with my design a bit trying to better capture the details in the wings because they are hard hard to see in the photos. I added a small light behind my nails and dimmed the lights. Tada! Glow bugs!