Sunday, September 16, 2012

31DC2012: Day 16, Tribal

Tribal nails! I got to thinking about tribes and history and eventually started thinking about cave paintings. I recalled these beautiful stenciled hand paintings on cave walls and wondered if there was some way I could get them on my nails.


Here is an example of the style I am referring to, though there are many many more images of this style of cave painting. Try googling "cave painting hands" for some excellent and beautiful images if you are interested.

(source)

I started out with a base of OPI Berlin There Done That, which I also tried to texture a bit with OPI Don't Pretzel My Buttons. Then, I blocked off areas of my nail with hand shaped pieces of painters tape, and used a sponge to sponge on China Glaze Call of the Wild over the tape, around the edges. I then added a bit of freehand embellishment with China Glaze Velvet Bow to give the stenciling a bit more depth of color.

The tape pieces were created using the same method that I used in my stenciled star nails tutorial, except instead of using a hole punch like I did for that manicure, I just freehand cut out some hand shapes.


For having never done something like this before on my nails, I think I did a pretty good job of mimicking the cave paintings. If I were to attempt this again, and I would like to, I would probably sponge each hand on in different shades of reds and browns, and try to make the base look more like stone.


I hope you enjoy these like I do! 


Here's a combo image for pinning ease... :)


You can check out last year's tribal nails here as well as the challenge prompts here.
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48 comments

  1. Really like your thinking out the box for this challenge, looks great xx

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  2. I love your posts this time around. Indeed, outside of the box! So creative!

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  3. OMG. Seriously, quit now, you're clearly not very good ...... shakes head xxxx

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  4. I am in love with these!! What a neat interpretation of the tribal theme, very creative!

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  5. wow. your creativity is astounding. just wow.

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  6. So cool and creative. As always. :-)

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  7. Holy crap, these are amazing!

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  8. This is so clever and creative- I love it!

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  9. Wow!!! What a great take on "tribal"! I love it!!

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  10. So creative! I love how you're always thinking outside the box!

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  11. Amazing! I so want to replicate your design to celebrate the birth of my new baby!

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  12. love it - very original and you pulled it off well!

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  13. I love this; very creative. You did an awesome job. Great color combos too.

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  14. Very cool! Reminds me of my prehistoric art history class. :)

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  15. Oooh! I love this, great job and thx for the pinning pic :)

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  16. I love that your're being so creative with the prompts for this challenge! This one turned out great.

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  17. This has got to be one of the best designs that I have ever seen! Its just such a fantastic idea!! :)

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  18. wow this is insane! in the good way :)

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  19. I'm going to try this!! This is so wild!!!

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  20. Wow, that's amazing! I have no idea how you managed to cut so many perfect little hands out of tape, you must have amazing patience. I love your spin on this theme.

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  21. This is a great idea!!! Very "Australian aboriginal art"-esque!

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  22. OMG this is so sweet :-)
    Such a great idea!
    And yes you did an awesome job.

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  23. Oh my goodness, this definitely wins the prize! Which one? I don't know, we should definitely make one though! This is the most original thing I've seen this entire challenge and I love it and this blog! :)

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  24. Awesome! This reminds me of Australian tribes.

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  25. This is awesome, what a great idea :)

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  26. Omg... ! The idea itself is just amazing ! Never seen something like that.
    And the nail art is beautiful :D

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  27. Uh, maybe it would be sounds creepy but...

    For me, it reminds me a shot from blair witch project :X
    http://devilintheflesh.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/blair-witch-project2.jpg

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  28. it's awesome!! you did a great work :)

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  29. This is very interesting and not your usual tribal mani out there. Great work!

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  30. This is sooo creative! Amazing idea <3

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  31. This is so amazing and adorable!

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  32. I love this so much! Normally, you get so many comments, I think "well, she won't need another one from me" but I just had to this time! This is so unique and special, it just blows my mind. My husband is working in Australia, and this reminds me of their aboriginal art. What a great job! Brava!

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  33. Oh my god these are so amazing!!!

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  34. The patterns on your nails are wonderful. Did you used to have one day nail polish brand Yves Rocher?

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  35. I love this! It's so original. If I ever have the patience, I may have to give this a try :)

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  36. Incredible and so well thought out, well done to you for being original!

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  37. This reminds of the beginning scenes in Ferngully. Now I know where those scenes where inspired from!

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  38. Oh I LOVE this! So creative and well done!

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