Tutorial of "side-flower" nail art

I call them side-flowers nail art, maybe they should have been called "half-flowers nail art" or even "flower nail art"? But you know what I mean. Anyhow, every nail art blogger have their "signature nail art's", which don't necessarily means that the blogger invented the nail art it self but that the nail art is something the blogger often end up doing, because they like it and/or it's their safe zone.

You who have followed me for a while might have noticed that these side-flowers have turned up a lot. I enjoy doing them and they can really pimp up a french manicure or a regular manicure. For some weeks ago I was asked to make a tutorial of them and so I did. However, since it's free-hand it's hard to just give you the magic tools to make it, to paint with a thin brush takes practice but I'll give it my best try to show you how I do it at least.

Don't underestimate the power of trying the motive on a piece of paper

Since I've done this many times I don't need to draw them on a piece of paper ever time but if you're new to something and are going to freehand them, it can be good to practice some first. Preferably you can draw fingernails to the length of your own nail (not the monster version I did ;)) and plan;

• How long can the petals be to fit my nail? 
• How wide should the petals be to be able to fit that middle line?
• Placement; do you want them on the middle of your nail?

Other good things are to make sure that your fine-liner is as thin as it possibly can be and that the formula isn't thick (I thin mine with acetone if so). A tip could be to practice and paint on your toe-nails or even a piece of paper with the fine-liner brush. A manicure you're about to remove could also be a good practice area.

Above is the order I make my flowers. When I paint I make one full petal at the time and I ALWAYS start from the cuticle and slightly lift the brush at the end because that leaves thinner lines at the tip of the petal which looks more elegant. Many times, especially when I feel shaky I try to move the hand I'm painting on more than the actual brush because that leaves me steadier lines (try what works best for you). Here I've chosen to have my starting point at the middle of my nails which is a good choice because then the upper and lower petal easier can have the same length.After I'm done with the lines I dab a bit of top coat at the center to attach a rhinestone, then top coat allover to seal in the design.

Questions? Questions? Questions? ;)

Above I've done a collage of some side-flower designs. Those on the upper row are more newly made, like 2012-2013 and the bottom row is more like 2010-2011. Before I did more petals but I've found that three petals works the best for me and look the best in my opinion.