You’ll remember that I blogged about painting my guy friends’ nails before. Well, ever since then, I’ve been itching to do it again. And I did! 😉
The Sheep Nail Art you see was the result of a very fun painting session!
I actually had this design in my head for quite some time and had wanted to do it on my own nails, but I was just too busy.
(In addition to having a full-time job, I’m also a professional freelance writer on the side. Haha, it feels like I’m always working! But when I have spare time, I squeeze in socializing with friends, daily blogging, and knitting.)
So when I was chilling with this guy, I was thrilled when he agreed to not only let me paint a sheep nail design on him, but also publish it on Swatch And Learn. Also, he wanted to confirm that he could remove it immediately after. (Haha, no, nail polish isn’t permanent!) So, just a few seconds after this little sheep was born, it was axed. Poor baby!
Keep reading this blog post because I show you step-by-step with written instructions and fun photos of this man’s thumb nail to help you recreate the look (or to help you convince the guys in your life to not take themselves too seriously). 😉
P.S. Funny thing is that he actually pointed out that I got some of the blue polish on his skin. And then he also mentioned that the sheep was missing its ear. Hahaha! Sorry that your first nail-art experience wasn’t perfect, Mr. Brawny Man! 😛 I’ll do better next time. Because…oh yeahhhh, there’ll be a next time…and another time after that…and another….Hehehehe! Practice makes perfect, right? Right! (He’s actually a professional artist, so that’s why he was very observant of my nail-painting flaws. Haha, he’s not a jerk.)
P.P.S. I would make a terrible nail technician. The entire time, I was smiling and giggling! I just couldn’t keep quiet no matter how hard I tried.
Sheep Nail Art Swatches
All swatches have:
- CND Stickey Anchoring Base Coat
- Background: Illamasqua Noble (This was provided by Illamasqua)
- Grass:
- L.A. Colors Art Deco Green
- OPI Gargantuan Green Grape
- Sheep:
- China Glaze Snow (for fluffy body)
- China Glaze Liquid Leather (for eye)
- Milani Nail Art Black Sketch (for legs) – This was provided by PR.
- Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat
*~* Sheep Nail Art Tutorial *~*
What I Used:
- CND Stickey Anchoring Base Coat
- Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat
- Illamasqua Noble
- OPI Gargantuan Green Grape
- China Glaze Liquid Leather
- L.A. Colors Art Deco Green
- Milani Nail Art Black Sketch
- China Glaze Snow
- Piece of foil
- Daniel Stone Art Tool #2
Step 1: Apply a Base Coat
Since my friend never had his nails painted before (except when I do it for him), he was interested to learn about the existence of a base coat.
Haha, when I told him how it prevents staining, especially with certain polish colours like blue, red, and yellow that are notorious for staining, he was verrrrrry glad that I had used it on his nail. He didn’t want to have to explain to his family and friends why one nail was blue.
Step 2: Apply a Bright Blue Background
I chose to use Illamasqua Noble because you’ll remember how much I loved it when I previously reviewed it on here. It applies so well, and it’s the perfect bright-blue sky shade.
My friend was satisfied with the way it looked at just one coat, but I insisted on painting a second coat. (You know how I am. I just can’t paint a single coat, even if it’s very opaque with one.)
2 coats of Illamasqua Noble
Step 3: Create the Fluffy Sheep’s Body & Head
Add some white nail polish onto your piece of foil. Then dip your dotting tool, the end of a bobby pin, or the end of an old makeup brush into the white polish. Create several dots in a cloud-like shape – one big one, and a smaller one.
The big one will represent the body, and the small one will be the head.
Tip: If you want to add ears to your sheep (I didn’t bother), I suggest using a grey shade so it’s still soft, but it’ll have definition against the white head.
Step 4: Add Some Grass
When I pulled out the green polish, my friend wondered why. Haha, and when I told him it was for the grass so that the sheep could stand comfortably, he said that it was okay if it was a flying sheep. (Haha! Nice try to get out of wearing more polish, dude. You signed up for it, so there’s no turning back. I’m going full throttle.) 😉
For the grass, I used a nail-art striper so that I could easily paint on the blades of grass. It was very fast – literally took 3 seconds. The blades don’t have to be perfect.
Step 5: Add the Sheep’s Legs
Using a black nail striper, I added 4 vertical lines to represent the legs.
Step 6: Give Your Sheep Sight
You could just use your striper to add the eye, but I wanted the eye to be perfectly round, so I used my dotting tool dipped into some black.
Step 7: Add More Detail to the Grass
I took some of OPI Gargantuan Green Grape, and put it onto the piece of foil. Then I added some white, and ran my green striper brush in it to get a variety of shades of green on it. Then, I just went over the dark-green grass. By doing this, you add a little more dimension so the grass isn’t so flat.
After this step, make sure that you wait at least 15 minutes to allow your design to dry before proceeding. You may want to even wait longer if the layers of polish are thick.
Step 8: Apply a Top Coat
I was sooooo tempted to also paint on a yellow sun in the top-right corner with rays shining down, but I decided against it. Wanted to keep the design simple. (But that shouldn’t stop you from adding your own sun!)
My friend and I chill every so often, and I was thinking it might be neat to start a little series on here where I do nail art on his nail. Haha, he seemed unsure if he wanted to participate so often, but we’ll see if I can work my magic and convince him once again. 😉
It was so much fun painting his thumb nail because it was so wide (compared to mine), and it’s also flat, unlike my curved nails. So I found it easier to paint his nails. Nice canvas! Hehe!
Have you ever done nail art on the men in your life? Are you a man who wears nail polish or nail art? Would you sport this sheep nail art?
Lol pretty cool. Yes i would let you paint my nails. No i wouldn’t take it off in a hurry. Yes i paint my nails. Haven’t in a long time. just been so busy. But i will soon. Love the write up!
Hey Robbie!
The next design I paint on a guy might be teddy bear nail art. 🙂 We’ll see if I can convince him. Too bad you’re not here. Haha!
Hahaha, this is great! It’s so awesome that he let you do it. (I might have to blackmail my male friends into these kinds of shenanigans ;))
If it helps convincing him to let you do it again, I think a series like this would be fun.
And I think he has pretty hand(s?) :p
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Hey Charlotte!
Guess I caught him when he was in a good mood…hahaha! Then once he said yes, I was really quick to pull out my bottles before he could change his mind. Good luck convincing your guy friends. 🙂 Have fun!
Hahaha, if I tell him you think he has a pretty hand, I think that’d make him say a firm NO to future painting. He’s not a serious guy, but he’s a very manly man, so that might throw it off…haha! Also, I probably won’t overtly mention the ‘series’ to him because that’ll scare him away. However, I think I can convince him to let me paint his nails a few times…MINI SERIES! 😛
I’ll remember that taking action quickly is a key element when doing this! 😉
Ahh, bad choice in wording on my part. Go with ‘handsome’ or ‘sexy’ instead?
Haha, it would be so cool if you could actually convince him to do that. It’s a little sad that it gets removed straight away, but I get why he doesn’t want to go out with it 🙂
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Hey Charlotte!
Hehe, yes, be quick like the wind!
Hhahahaaha, I don’t think he’d believe me even if I said that I thought polish on guys is sexy. He knows me too well and would realize I’m just scheming to get him to wear polish. 😉
I actually don’t mind if the design gets removed right away. As long as I can take photos to remember what it looks like, it’s okay. I understand that he wouldn’t want to wear polish for a long time. Considering that he never wore it ever before, even letting me paint his nails is a big deal to me. 🙂
So funny and such an adorable little sheep! I keep trying to paint my friends nails, but he won’t let me! Maybe I’ll try to do the one-thumb approach at first!
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Or start with his TOES! That way, he can control whether anyone sees, while he gets comfortable with how awesome they look in the shower. And, if his painted toes turn you on a little – and you show him so – he’ll quickly learn to love color!
Steve W recently posted: NOTD – CG "Electric Beat" (fingers), Gradient (toes)
That’s a good idea, Steve!
Hey Brianna!
Yes, when it’s just one finger, guys seem to be more willing to try it. And also remind the guy that it’s not permanent and emphasize how fast he’ll be able to remove it right after. 😛 It’s been my experience that this is what changes their mind.
Hehehehe! So cute Mary! Your man-friends are much more willing than my fiancé! If I ever came at him with a polish brush he’d run for the hills and never come back!
I think it would be awesome for you to do a “Man Art Mini Series” 😉
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Hey Erica!
Give your fiance more time. He’ll come around. They always do! 😉
I’d LOVE to do a mini series. We’ll see. When I hang out with him next time, I’ll ask to paint his nail again. But I can’t do it every time or he may not want to hang out with me for fear that his nails will ALWAYS be painted! Haha!
Lol he should consider himself blessed to have the opportunity to be used as a canvas to display your nail art skills! Next time he criticizes I’d say hide the nail polish remover 😛
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Hey Frosso!
Hahaha, yeah, somehow I don’t think he thought he was lucky….more like unlucky! 😉
Actually, I’m pretty bad because when guys agree to let me paint their nails, I always joke about running out of polish remover AFTER I’ve painted their nails. I shoot them a worried expression, which freaks them out. But then 3 seconds later, I tell them I’m kidding. So bad…Hehehehe!
Ha.ha so cute! Tell him to not complain,I used to try out new nail polishes on my poor long suffering husband’s toes when he was asleep…sometimes he would wake up to ten different colored toes
Hey Marta!
Hahahahhaa, when he was asleep? You’re a stealthy nail painter. I’m impressed! Haha, what did he say when he woke up to multi-coloured toenails?
This is really cute! And, there’s irony in your choice of a sheep instead of a bull, a horse, a wolf etc.., because to me, sheep are THE symbol of timid conformity to the herd’s rules. The men who fear nail color (and the herd’s reaction to it) are the sheep – your friend is anything BUT a sheep! KUDOS to him!
(and my challenge to you: create a design or color scheme that he (or I, making it easier for ya..) would wear for a week.. 😉
Steve W recently posted: NOTD – CG "Electric Beat" (fingers), Gradient (toes)
Hey Steve W!
I didn’t even think of it like that, but now that you mention it, it IS quite ironic! 🙂
I’ll tell him how brave he is and that you dig it. Maybe that’ll convince him to let me paint his nail(s) yet again…Hehehehe!
Nah, he wouldn’t wear any nail design (or nail colour) all week. He’d always want to remove it right after it’s painted.
Hmm…I have an idea of another nail design that I’d like to paint on his nails. We’ll see if he lets me.
The little sheep is awfully cute!! 🙂 It’s funny you said that about nail polish not being permanent because one night when I painted my friend’s nails (I actually just stamped some designs on his bare nails, no top coat, nothing) he woke up the next morning (yeah, he was drunk when I did it, but he kept asking me to! I wasn’t even going to!) he was like “oh mannn oh mannn…. how does this come off?!” like it was going to be on his nails forever. Hahaha. The funniest thing, as I’m sure you know, is that stamped designs with no top coat probably could have just been scratched off but he was just all freaked. I loved it.
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Hey Nicole!
That’s so cool that you did nail stamping on him! (I want to stamp this guys’ nails, but I think it freaks him out. For some reason, he hears the word ‘stamp’ and thinks it means ‘permanent’.) Hahahaha…GUYS! 😉
I’ve done nail art on guys before! 😀 Quite a number of them requested superhero nails or Star Trek nails when I did an art booth at a sci-fi convention recently. Although I’d kill for a narrower table that would make it easier to reach clients.
Hey Fedoraharp!
That’s awesome! Wow, and they requested designs? That’s pretty awesome! None of my friends request designs. Hehe, I have to ask and ask and beg to paint their nails. 😉 But it’s worth it when they finally say yes.
I had a manicure booth with wheels and wheels of strange little designs, so I guess it caught peoples’ eyes .
Also, offer to matte-ify for them! Saying it won’t be shiny seems to work like magic if you’re trying to convince a man 😀
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Hehe, yes, that would get my attention, too! 🙂 The stranger, the better.
Oooohhh, good idea! I’ll try the ‘mattify’ selling point. We’ll see if it helps!
Omg ! What a pretty nail art . Sheep on nails ? wow ! Interesting .I think it takes lots of time for this work .Nice work , keep it up.
Beufl recently posted: 15 Amazing Toe Nail Designs
Hey Beufl!
It didn’t take too long, since I only painted this on his thumb. 🙂 It was so much fun!
Best Step by step tutorial for making tinny Sheep 🙂 Thanks for the Creative idea Mary
Hey khicho!
Aww, than you so much for saying that. It means a lot! 🙂 I had a lot of fun painting my friend’s nails with this cute design. Haha, after this, I told him that I would like to do more freehand nail art on him. That made him nervous…haha! 😉 I’ll convince him again to let me give it a go.
If you try your hand at this design, please post it on my Facebook wall or tweet it to me. I’d love to see how yours turns out!
Well I must compliment you on your nail art skills and skills of persuasion 🙂
I thought you may like to know that I have just recently started to paint my own nails, picked up some illamasqua polishes in the sale…. saved a small fortune!
Well It’s going to be a great way to express myself and my individuality, I’m taking a ‘BIG step’ on Friday and having my nails done, I am thinking of opting for a twist on a classic French manicure with zebra stripes.
I’d love to hear your opinions …
In the meantime keep up the good work, I’m swatching and learning! 😉
x
Hey Gareth!
Aww, thank you so much! It was a strange experience painting someone else’s nails. I’m so used to just painting my own nails!
Hahaha, yeah, I can be very persuasive when it comes to polish, even when my ‘tactics’ are used on a man who doesn’t normally wear lacquer. 😉 But it really helped that he’s a fun-loving guy who doesn’t take things so seriously.
Wow, great decision to go with Illamasqua! They have amazing formulas and colours. Plus getting them on sale is a real score! *Thumbs up*
I think your idea of a French manicure with zebra stripes sounds sooooo fun! You’ll definitely enjoy wearing that manicure! ROCK IT!
Well you have most certainly gained a follower in me, I’ve ‘liked’ you on Facebook, and posted a pic of how I wore my nails for New Years Eve over here in England on your page 🙂
That’s great you’ve got such ‘willing’ canvas nails 😉
Oh yeah I was super pleased got 8 polishes for just £40 😀
I also paid just £15 for 6 full size Nails Inc polishes in a lucky dip!
I am somewhat addicted to it I think it’d be safe to say.
Well I will be sure to post up the result on your FB page for all to see
Happy dance 😀
Thank you for “Liking” me on Facebook! 🙂 Hmm…I don’t know if I saw your photo. When did you post it on my wall? (Did I reply? If I didn’t, I didn’t see it. I want to see it!)
Whoa, awesome deal on those polishes!
You know what? I still don’t own any Nails Inc. lacquers. but I have a feeling I won’t for a long time. After the MAC splurge I just had, I need to hold back on beauty purchases for a little while.
Aww no I didn’t receive a reply from you so you haven’t seen it 🙁 I posted it on Monday at 4:58AM GMT ( I couldn’t sleep) take a look when you get a chance and let me know your opinion please 🙂
Well since then I have a lil more nail length. I’ve stopped biting them and look after them a lot more now 🙂
Got a little bit of free edge in preparation for Fridays zebra print French manicure 😛 I’ll post those up too! 🙂
At those prices I couldn’t afford to not buy them right !? 😛
You should give them a go there are some fabulous colours out there and some really innovative ones like the leather effect, feathers to name but a few.
We all deserve a treat now and again 😉
Gareth, that’s really strange because I looked on my Facebook wall, but I couldn’t find the image you mentioned. Can you try posting it again on my wall? (Wonder why it’s not showing up.)
Congratulations on not biting your nails. As a former nail biter myself, I know that nixing the habit can be tough. But, once you get used to not biting, it becomes so easy to continue. 🙂
Hi Mary, that’s very strange indeed just to clarify I meant your “Swatch and Learn” fb page. I will post it again for you though. Can’t deprive you of my awesome NYE manicure it’s what started my new found obsession after all 😛
Aww thanks for that I am really proud of them 🙂 I must congratulate you too as your nails look fabulous! 🙂
Very weird. Yes, I looked again at my Facebook wall in the posts by others section, but I still don’t see it. Do you see it? Hmm… I did, however, see you tagged me on Instagram and showed me your manicure. I saw and commented on that. 🙂
That teeny sheep is the cutest 🙂
Erin (Paint Those Piggies!) recently posted: Zoya Ignite and Entice Polish Comparisons
this is so much fun!
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it’s a very good idea
This is absolutely adorable! I like how fluffy if is with a cute eye! I like this series and would like to see more 🙂