Maltseva Masterclass

Esteemed nail artist, ELENA MALTSEVA, shares how to create the mixed media elements of her Nailympia 2026 campaign design

3 D sculpted face tutorial

Depicted in the Nailympia 2026 campaign, the human face is an essential style of sculpture to learn, as many complex, creative competition entries show characters. The face sculpting technique is essential to learn when entering the world of mixed media and 3D nail styles. Here’s an 11-step guide…

Step 1 Use cover pink slime gel to create a rounded shape for the head, working quickly. Place onto a stick and use a dotting tool or tip of a brush handle to create indents for the eye sockets and mouth. Cure.

Step 2 Coat the entire head with a thin layer of cover pink L&P acrylic. Use a double-dip bead of brown and dark blue L&P acrylic to add shading to the eye sockets and bridge of the nose. Apply a thin layer with a very wet consistency. Lightly darken the area between the nostrils and chin, and place a medium viscosity bead of white L&P acrylic in each eye socket.

Step 3 Place small beads of cover pink L&P acrylic over the top of each eyeball to create the upper eyelids, and repeat for the lower eyelids. Take a double-dip bead of cover pink and clear L&P acrylic to shape the raised areas of the brow bone.

Step 4 Use a blend of brown and dark blue L&P acrylic to apply light shadows under the upper eyelids and in the corners of the eyes. With either gel paint or L&P acrylic (not in a black shade), paint the eyebrows. Use light blue L&P acrylic to paint the iris of each eye, keeping this as flat as possible.

Step 5 Using a gradient fade, lightly paint the cheeks with pink L&P acrylic, before using a clear or translucent pink acrylic shade to create volume.

Step 6 Create the lips using red or pink L&P acrylic, making the lower lip smaller. Use cover pink acrylic to shape the skin above the lips: a small bead for the smile lines, and another for the philtrum between the top lip and nose. Use a brush tip to form the vertical grooves.

Step 7 Use cover pink L&P acrylic to sculpt the nose. While the acrylic is pliable, push each side with the sharp tip of a brush to create nostrils. Add clear L&P acrylic to the tip of the nose to give the effect of light, translucent skin.

Step 8 Place a gloved finger under each ear area in turn and sculpt the desired ear shapes and sizes using cover pink L&P acrylic, adding texture and dark acrylic shadows. Use a brush soaked in acrylic monomer to separate the ears from the glove and connect to the head.

Step 9 To make a base for the eyelashes, apply a thin coat of clear L&P acrylic to the upper eyelids.

Step 10 Use a fine liner brush and black gel paint to add eyelashes, outline the corners of the eyes and add pupils. Use red gel paint to enhance the lips, and white gel paint to add highlights to the eyes, nose, chin and lips. Cure.

Step 11 Apply a no-wipe matte gel polish top coat to the entire head (except for the eyes) and cure. This will make the skin look soft, smooth and natural. Apply no-wipe glossy gel polish top coat to the eyes, to help them appear expressive, 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

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