Watercolor nail art is a lovely way to showcase your artistic side and give your nails a distinctive look. With the help of this technique, you can effortlessly blend colors to produce delicate, artistic designs that resemble watercolor paintings right on your fingertips.
Regardless of your level of nail art expertise, this technique is easy to use and can be tailored to your personal preferences. The secret to getting that delicate, flowing look that makes watercolor so unique is to use the appropriate tools and techniques.
This tutorial will walk you through every step of doing a watercolor manicure, from choosing your supplies to perfecting your brushstrokes. Prepare to use your nails as a blank canvas for your next artistic creation!
Step | Description |
1. Prep Nails | Clean, shape, and buff nails. Push back cuticles for a smooth surface. |
2. Base Coat | Apply a thin layer of base coat to protect nails and ensure the watercolor adheres well. |
3. Choose Colors | Select watercolor paints in your desired colors. Prepare them by diluting with a little water. |
4. Paint Design | Use a fine brush to apply the watercolor paint to your nails. Create patterns, blending colors as you like. |
5. Seal with Top Coat | Once dry, apply a top coat to seal the design and add shine. |
6. Clean Up | Use a small brush dipped in nail polish remover to clean up any excess paint around the nails. |
- What is watercolor painting
- Life hack for watercolor painting
- Watercolor gel polish
- Paint for painting "Watercolor drops"
- Acrylic paint
- Video on the topic
- Watercolor on nails / Aquarelle nail art
- 🌸GENTLE Spring manicure with watercolors 2025😍 Watercolor drawings on tips🔥Watercolor manicure 2025
- Watercolor nail design / broken glass in nail design / watercolor textures on nails
- WATERCOLOR DROPS – cool design ideas
What is watercolor painting
One kind of nail art is watercolor painting. The fuzziness, halftones, and blurriness of the nail designs are akin to fine watercolor drawings, thanks to the application of specialized tools and techniques.
Unlike many nail art techniques, watercolor painting requires artistic ability from the master because every element of the drawing is made by hand using a brush, but it also offers nearly endless possibilities for creating a unique design.
You can use the following to make a drawing in watercolor:
- special gel polish for watercolor design;
- nail paints "Watercolor drops";
- acrylic paints;
- artificially diluted gel polish.
Here are some pointers for painting a watercolor picture on your nails:
- use a light base – white, beige, nude or pastel shades. A watercolor is lost against a dark background;
- Any dye, be it paint or diluted gel, should be liquid enough. When applied to the nail, the color should be blurred. To check the degree of blurring, do tests on a tip or other plastic surface;
- at first, when creating a design, use examples from other masters. This will allow you not to be distracted by imagination and practice the technique.
Life hack for watercolor painting
Use pre-made watercolor-style stickers if you’re short on time or artistic talent. They are available on Chinese websites, naturally, as well as in online nail product stores.
Stickers may be:
- water-based – to separate them from the base, you need to place the fragment in water for 10-15 seconds.;
- on an adhesive base.
Apply a colored background, a top coat, and perform a standard manicure before transferring the image to the nail.
Watercolor gel polish
Watercolor gel polish, also known as gel polish for watercoloring, is a unique medium-density gel product that lacks viscosity.
You can use it to make pointwise applications or abstract patterns that resemble watercolor spreading. This product creates patterns similar to the one in the picture below.
Gel polish examples for watercolor technique:
You must use a specific base when using watercolor gel polish; otherwise, the dye will not spread. The "Watercolor" collection from the Irisk brand offers a wide range of watercolor gel polishes. Additionally, the manufacturer provides Wet Gel Polish, a unique base.
In order to design, get ready:
- watercolor gel polish and a special base for it;
- colored gel polish for the background;
- base and top.
Detailed instructions:
- Apply a thin layer of the usual base to the nail plate – Kodi, TNL, and dry in a lamp;
- Now prepare the background – any gel polish, preferably a light shade and dry again in a lamp;
- Apply a special base and, without waiting for drying, start creating your abstract pattern. The drops will spread, mix and form streaks;
- After finishing the decoration, dry the coating in a lamp. Watercolor patterns need to be dried in an LED for 30 to 60 seconds., in UV – 120 sec;
- Fix the design with a top coat, seal the tips and dry again.
You can attempt to use a brush to create a meaningful pattern with gel polishes, but it will take a lot of work. It is advised that skilled artisans with a track record of nail painting use this technique. Try using special or acrylic paint for these purposes in the beginning.
You can create delicate, artistic designs on your nails with watercolor painting that stand out thanks to their soft, blended colors. This method is a lovely and distinctive way to showcase your individual style on your nails because it allows for countless customization options.
Paint for painting "Watercolor drops"
Watercolor paint can be used to draw both detailed and abstract images, such as flowers. The water-based paint dries in the open air in 30 to 120 seconds and does not require polymerization.
The following brands sell watercolor paints:
- Irisk
- Patrisa Nail;
- In Garden;
- Dona Jerdona.
No specialized basic products or other materials are needed to create a pattern; the pattern is drawn on a dried background and fixed with a top once it has dried.
Detailed instructions:
- Prepare the background – apply a thin layer of base and color, drying each layer separately;
- Drop a little paint on foil or a palette and use a thin brush to create the desired pattern on the nails. If necessary, blur the pigment, wet the brush in a degreaser and then apply dye to it;
- Wait for the pattern to dry, and fix the design with a top coat.
Use any brushes that are suitable for a particular pattern and convenient for the master when working. If you do not currently own such a tool, examine the sets from Roubloff or TNL more closely. For painting, Roubloff offers a limited selection of "Watercolor" brush sets.
Acrylic paint
The length of time that acrylic paints take to dry is their primary benefit. If watercolor paint dries in one minute, acrylic paint takes three to seven minutes for the artist to work and polish the drawing before it becomes flawed.
To begin work, get ready:
- Acrylic paints of the desired shades. You can buy them separately or as a whole set, like TNL or Runail;
- painting brushes. Choose brushes based on the complexity and composition of the drawing. Use the thinnest brush to draw small details, and a flat one to fill a large area;
- base and top;
- water;
- gel polish for the background.
Detailed instructions:
- Before you start painting, cover your nails with a base and color, drying each layer in a lamp;
- Drop a little water and 1-2 drops of acrylic paint of the desired shade onto foil or a palette. Try not to add too much water at once, test the dye on a tip and dilute gradually until you get the desired shade;
- Use light movements to outline the pattern on the nail and gradually draw all the details;
- To add volume, shade large elements of the pattern with heavily diluted paint with a light color shade;
- After finishing the painting, wait for 3-7 minutes for drying and cover the pattern with a finish.
Applying watercolor paint to your nails gives them a delicate, artistic touch. At first, the process might seem complicated, but with practice, it turns into a creative and enjoyable way to express yourself.
With the appropriate tools and methods, you can create stunning designs that really stand out. Watercolor’s versatility lets you experiment and discover your own style, whether you go for abstract shapes or delicate floral patterns.
Recall that practice and patience are the keys to a gorgeous watercolor manicure. You’ll eventually gain the ability to paint elaborate patterns on your nails that turn them into real works of art.