Cut Out + Keep

DIY Beach Nail Art

A how-to for the perfect summer design!

https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/diy-beach-nail-art • Posted by Celine Does Nails

These are the basic steps I took to paint the nail design seen in the last photo. You truly can use any colors of paint or polish you have, but here's just what I used.

You will need

Project Budget
Cheap

Time

2 h 00

Difficulty

So-so
Medium 101057 2f2014 04 27 010755 12 Medium 101057 2f2014 04 18 051610 picmonkey%2bcollage Medium 101057 2f2014 04 27 003755 7796

Description

These are the basic steps I took to paint the nail design seen in the last photo. You truly can use any colors of paint or polish you have, but here's just what I used.

Instructions

  1. Small 101057 2f2014 04 27 004246 beach1

    The first step is the sky. For this I used a makeup sponge to create a light to dark blue gradient. Go about half way down your nail.

  2. Small 101057 2f2014 04 27 004505 beach2

    Next step is to paint the water and sand. This is where I started to use acrylic paint. As you can see, about 1/3 of the nail is dedicated to each section.

  3. Small 101057 2f2014 04 27 004729 beach3

    Next you are going to add a lighter shade of blue to the water. Gently move the paintbrush back and forth. For the sand I added a darker shade of acrylic paint.

  4. Small 101057 2f2014 04 27 005654 beach4

    Step four is to add white acrylic paint. Use a dabbing motion with your paintbrush to create a foamy look where the water meets the sand. Use very gentle strokes to add highlights to the water as well.

  5. Small 101057 2f2014 04 27 005704 beach5

    Next paint the base of the palm tree. I used a brown acrylic paint for this step.

  6. Small 101057 2f2014 04 27 005707 beach6

    Next is to paint the leaves of the palm tree. This can be kind of tricky but try to look at a picture of a real palm tree to get it right. I used a lighter, olive green for this step.

  7. Small 101057 2f2014 04 27 005710 beach7

    Almost done! Next I used both a darker green and brown acrylic paints to add shadows to the palm tree leaves.

  8. Small 101057 2f2014 04 27 005714 beach8

    Last step is to add top coat! Make sure to let your design dry completely before you do so. (Oh and I guess I added some highlights to the palm tree trunk in this step too.)