The technique of applying drawings on shellac is complex. The main materials are shellac itself with colored pigments and acrylic paints. Each of the techniques has its own characteristics, but knowing them, you will get a long-lasting manicure that is in no way inferior to that created by the masters in the salon.
There are only two common materials for creating drawings on shellac - these are acrylic paints and shellac itself. It is better for a beginner to start working with acrylic paints, since it is difficult for them to paint on shellac, even for professionals. Drawings with paints are technically easier due to the fact that the ornament you don't like can always be erased and painted again. With shellac, this will not work and you will have to remove the whole layer of the coating.
It is necessary
• Base for shellac;
• shellac with pigment;
• top coating;
• acrylic paints;
• cotton pads;
• medical alcohol;
• brushes;
• soft nail file;
• Ultraviolet lamp.
1. After preparing your nails, apply a shellac base on them. The edge of the nail also needs to be covered with a base, capturing a minimum of liquid on the brush. Within 2 min. the base should be dried under a UV lamp.
2. If you will be drawing on a colored background, apply pigmented shellac over the base coat. Gently cover the edge of the nail, note that the layers should be thin. The exposure time under the UV lamp is the same. Skip this step if you don't need a colored background.
3. Apply a top coat to your nails. In order for the paints to lay down well, the stickiness characteristic of the coating must be removed. To do this, moisten a cotton pad with alcohol and wipe your nails well.
4. Use a soft file to gently process the nail plates. This will help the pattern stay on your nails longer. Brush off fine abrasive dust with a dry brush.
5. Drawings with acrylic paints on shellac should be applied with thin brushes. If there is an outline in the drawing, start with it. If there is no contour, and the image consists of several colors, apply them in layers. Wait for the paints to dry completely.
6. On top of the design, apply a topcoat in two coats. The layers should be thin. Do not forget to process the edge of the nail. Dry each layer of the top under a UV lamp.
7. For drawings with shellac itself, first also apply the base coat and varnish with a colored pigment. After each layer, the nails are placed under a UV lamp for 2 minutes.
8. By applying a top coat, and not wiping off its sticky texture, you can paint with shellac. Use thin brushes for this as well. Since the base for the drawing is liquid, you need skill, it is better to practice on artificial nails before that.
9. If the shellac drawings will be on a transparent background, the steps with a colored pigment and a top coat will not be necessary. They will need to be applied directly to the base base, without waiting for it to dry.
10. After the drawings are ready, apply two coats of topcoat. The application and drying technique remains the same as with acrylic paints.
