Sunday, February 1, 2009

Fingernail & Toenail Tutorial

This technique came about as a complete accident. I was using chenille stems as armature for fingers, and found that the wire had rusted a bit. I added nails to hide the rust, and after some experimentation found that this method created realistic looking nails.

This photo shows the toes and fingers before beginning the nails. Do not draw the shapes of the nails with anything - you will free-hand them with Mod Podge.


Using a very small paintbrush, paint a layer of Mod Podge in the general shape of the nails. It will be hard to see this first coat, as it soaks into the fabric a little.

When dry, add another layer of Mod Podge. It goes on white and dries clear.

When dry, add a third layer. Refine the shape of the nails with each layer of Mod Podge. This photo show the nails with three coats of Mod Podge.

Next, paint the final nail shape with flesh-colored acrylic paint. Leave a little of the dried Mod Podge visible around the edges of the nail. 

Now paint a fine line of white (acrylic paint) at the tips of the nails to create a French manicure look.

Add one more layer of Mod Podge over the paint.

The finished nails. You can see why drawing the nails first is unnecessary. This is more subtle.

26 comments:

Carla said...

Those are the prettiest feet and hands I've seen in a long time.

Tami @ Lemon Tree Tales said...

Wow! Those look amazing. I'll have to try that on my next doll. Luckily I already have a jar of mod podge in the studio. :-)

Anonymous said...

Geez Deanna, more perfection. This is BRILLIANT! You are at the top of your game girl.

Anonymous said...

Oops, sorry, that was me Kate.

Deanna Hogan said...

Thanks, everyone~
This technique was developed by accident, to cover up dark marks at the tips of the fingers caused by the chenille stem armature and Mod Podge alone. The flesh colored paint was the fix, but looked so much better than mod podge alone! Then I had to do the tonails to match.

Now to finish the doll that goes with these hands and feet...

Deanna

dingy said...

Awesome Idea, sometimes the best ones fall into our lap by accident. This is one of those wonderful happy ones. Sandy W

Dixie Redmond said...

You're always thinkin' aren't you?

Karen Mallory said...

That is great Deanna! Never thought to use Mod Podge for that even though I decoupage! I will definately do all these steps the next Averill I make!
hugs Karen

Judi W. said...

Fabulous! I just noticed that my latest doll's hands has those dark marks from the stems - now to go fix them! Thanks for sharing!

Maggie R said...

I LOVE this technique. I certainly will try it. It looks so real!!!!
Thanks so much...
((((hugs))))
Maggie
waving from cold, snowy Southern Ontario, Canadsa

Shashi Nayagam said...

Wow these are amazing and so easy to do too. Thank you for sharing.

Heera said...

These nails are so beautiful. Thanks for sharing the technique.

Baja Betty said...

Thank you so much for the wonderful tutorial! The feet & hands are so pretty and the nails just finish them off perfectly. I've used mod podge on my dolls before but never thought about the extra step of adding the paint. ^_^

Anonymous said...

Deanna, you are doing beautiful work. I wish my real hands and feet were half as pretty, Let alone my attempt at tiny doll hands with blown out fingers. Thanks for the tutorial. Best, Wyncia

Unknown said...

Hi Deanna
Firstly Wow!!!!
Do you ever come to Australia and teach?
Peta

Anonymous said...

Deanna, beautiful work! I have to try this. Thanks so much for sharing your technique. -luiza

Natalie said...

Ingenious!
Will definitely have to give this technique a try. Love how you came about developing it...

Hugs...

Deanna Hogan said...

Thanks again, everyone! I'm so glad this tutorial has been so well received. As soon as this post works its way off the page, I'll add a nicer link to it (and future tutorials?) so it'll be easier to find.

Peta ~ I think it'd be a terrific adventure to travel to Australia to teach. Maybe someday...I got a passport last year in preparation for world travels! Of course, my husband would probably insist on going (ok by me). My friend and co-worker Daniel travels to Oz regularly. He's related to Australia's Steve Irwin, and all that that involves.

Deanna

Mary Louisa said...

Hi a friend and fellow doll maker sent this wonderful tutorial to me and I just could not get over how great the nails on the fablious hands and feet look. Thank you for showing us how to do it.

Robyn Coburn Writer/Artist said...

I have featured you on my roundup blog Dolls:Crafting and Collecting,
www.allthingsdoll.blogspot.com

Best wishes,
Robyn C.

maija said...

Deanna, thank you very much for the wonderful tutorial!
maija
www. maijaandme. blogspot.com

GerryART said...

OMG, your nails are fantabuless.
They ARE real.

LemonTreeTales sent me over.

Thanks, thanks a lot,
Gerry

Rhissanna said...

You sew such lovely hands and the nails idea is just wonderful. I'm trying it out right now!

Mike said...

Wish my hands and feet were that cute.

Anonymous said...

Hmm it seems like your site ate my first comment (it was super long) so I guess I'll just sum it up
what I submitted and say, I'm thoroughly enjoying your blog.
I as well am an aspiring blog blogger but I'm still new to the whole thing.

Do you have any recommendations for rookie blog writers?
I'd genuinely appreciate it.

Also visit my weblog :: klicken Sie sich durch die nächste Internet-Seite

Anonymous said...

I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you create this website yourself
or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz respond as I'm looking to design my own blog and would like to find out where u got this from.
many thanks

Here is my site - CD Key kaufen