Animal Print Week- A Painterly Zebra of a Different Color

Click this photo to see a close-up view of
the loose, painterly quality of the print.

Another update for animal print week! (Also, animal print week may carry over to next week, since I seem to be failing at updating daily!) Today's how-to is a somewhat painterly approach to a zebra print.

Instead of making a zebra print with very crisp lines, I wanted something a bit more loose and zebra-inspired. Because of this, I didn't even bother to look at any photos of actual zebra print. Instead (since I've painted zebra print quite a few times) I just started in painting.

Exact polish colors and brands aren't really important here. Instead, pick out three or four shades that you think will go well. I went with a bright almost-neon warm red-violet, a cool lavender, a very pale grey and white. These colors are similar enough to work together, and yet different enough to really stand out. The cool lavender really pops against the warm background.

I began with my standard base coat (Qtica Nail Growth Stimulator),  then 2 coats of the red-violet background color. Once this was grey, I loosely painted in the base stripes. I then added the lavender bottom lines on, then the white at the tops of the stripes. A quick coat of Seche Vite then leveled the art out, making everything seem pulled together.

Click this image to see it full-size!

Tell me- do you prefer a sharp, crisp zebra print or do you like my looser, zebra-inspired print? Let me know in the comments!

Til next time!

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Pink Sparkles make me smile!

Wow. I am utterly exhausted, you guys. I did a photo shoot on Wednesday and ended up taking 2000 pictures of the girl, and even though it was lots of fun, it TOTALLY wore me out. I did get a few shots of my nails, though! ;)

I sat down looking for something in particular. I feel guilty for passing up things in the review box, but sometimes you have to feed your soul first! I wanted deep pink color with super sparkle, and BOY did I get it! I went with layering, using my standby perfect pink topped with a super glass fleck that is absolutely stunning!

I was so happy, because in the sunlight this was absolutely gorgeous. I loved catching the happy pink on my nails every time I glanced down. It absolutely made my day!

Unfortunately it didn't wear terribly well. Two days later I had chips and massive tipwear. I'm unsure whether I should be wearing a base coat over the Qtica Nail Growth Accelerator, but this makes me think I should be. I don't know... anyone have thoughts about this?

Also, if you haven't signed up for my giveaway, what are you waiting for? Go sign up!

I never liked pink. I wonder what changed?

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