A scene from
The Little Prince
Based on the book by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, this 3D tableau on the thumbnail is the largest element in the
Nailympia
composition.
Step 1 Place six nail tips next to each other and secure them to a base. Create a colour gradient down the tips: first applying a thin layer of blue L&P acrylic, then adding a purple shade. The acrylic should be a wet consistency.
Step 2 Using clear L&P acrylic, create a planet hemisphere in the centre of the composition, and blend yellow and white acrylic (applied wet) to the shape. The perimeter of the planet should be kept clear. With a dotting tool, work quickly to mark out craters in the acrylic while it is mouldable.
Step 3 Use milky white L&P acrylic to create light, blending along the planet’s perimeter and upwards to convey its glow.
Step 4 Add clouds behind and in front of the planet using a variety of L&P acrylic shades. The background cloud should be flatter and darker, and those in front – more voluminous and lighter. Before creating the clouds in the foreground, lightly cover the planet and background clouds with clear acrylic for an aquarium/inlay effect.
Step 5 Add mountains and grass to the front of the scene using coloured L&P acrylic. Ensure the mountains are dark against the light clouds for contrast. Cover only the mountains with a glossy UV/LED top coat and cure.
Step 6 On a flat nail form, create the figure of a boy (The Little Prince) using the bas-relief technique. Sculpt the body using nude L&P acrylic, then add volume and clothing with coloured acrylic shades. Once finished, remove from the form.
Step 7 Create a fox using the same principles as Step 6, adding texture and highlights for depth and dimension. Detach from the form once ready.
Step 8 Craft coloured L&P acrylic stone shapes of varying sizes on a nail form, using the bas-relief technique. Once set, separate from the form and use some of the shapes to fill the background and foreground, making sure to leave space for the characters.
Step 9 Secure the boy and fox to the tips and add more stones between them, using clear L&P acrylic. Next, add a water effect to the stream in front of the characters using a clear, thick UV/LED gel. Apply gel threads using soft, drawn-out movements and cure after each application.
Step 10 Add blue and turquoise gel pastes or gel polishes to some of the clear gel threads and cure. Add small 3D accessories to build on the design.
Step 11 Roll several planet shapes of different sizes from L&P acrylic, using three to four colours at a time. Secure these in your desired locations using clear L&P acrylic. Add a blue acrylic scarf to the boy.
Step 12 Add final touches: highlights, contours and stars, using acrylic paints. To create depth, apply matte and glossy LED/UV no-cleanse top coats to different elements of the design and cure.
About Elena Maltseva
Elena boasts over 25 years’ nail industry experience and works as an international educator, coach and competition judge. She is a three-time nail art world champion and runs online courses, specialising in hand-painting, mixed media art and 3D acrylic sculpting.
www.nailartacademy.online /elena.maltseva.7792
@elena_maltseva_nail