Volumetric design on nails is one of the most interesting and beautiful solutions nail art. Nail sculpting is made from acrylic or gel and has several levels of complexity. In everyday life, one or maximum two nails on the hand are decorated with this design. When doing a formal manicure, especially a wedding one, you can allow sculpting on all nails. Such art will not go unnoticed and will always give your hands more femininity and charm. In this article you will find a detailed video and information on how to make sculpting yourself.

Modeling with plasticine on nails photo

What kind of modeling is there?

Modeling can be made from two types of materials - acrylic and gel. You can do it not only on extended nails, but also on your own. In the latter case, the nail plate must be coated with varnish. Modeling also varies in level of complexity: it can be single-level, two-level, multi-level. The sculpting can also be flat; this is most often done for an aquarium nail design.

It is easier for beginners to start learning with acrylic modeling. This material is more plastic and pliable. Having mastered the acrylic technique well, you can switch to gel.

The entire emphasis of sculpting is on the fact that with the help of this technique a stunning three-dimensional design is created. Flowers seem to come to life, patterns look unusual, compositions captivate the eye. Truly, nail sculpting is a real art. But not everything is as complicated as it seems. Anyone can master the technique of volumetric design if they have the desire, a little patience and faith in their abilities.

Gel sculpting on nails photo

How to make nail sculpting yourself?

No nail technician was born with the ability to sculpt. Everyone, even the most talented specialists, first underwent training. Any girl can learn how to do sculpting on her own if she has an interest and desire for it. Today on the Internet there is a lot of both text information and video tutorials, which describe and show in detail how to do volumetric nail design. Start training with acrylic; when you master working with this material well, you can take on gel.

Design sculpting on nails photo

Acrylic modeling

To start self-study you will need:

• Colored and white acrylic powder;
• Brushes for acrylic modeling made of natural bristles;
• Liquid (monomer);
• Cup for liquid;
• Tips;
• File, buff.

Please note that the tips of the brushes are absolutely smooth and collected, as in the photo below. The brush is important in sculpting.

In order for acrylic to adhere well to the tip, it must be roughened with a nail file, otherwise the material will flow off the smooth surface. You can also coat the tips with varnish, wait until it dries and start sculpting. Acrylic adheres very well to the varnish surface.

Remember that nail sculpting should not look too “overloaded”. You should not put more than one flower or ornament on one nail. It is better not to place compositions on the very edge of the nail plate or close to the cuticle. To make the design look more voluminous, you should use two or three colors of acrylic powder.

Gel sculpting

For gel sculpting you will need:

• Set of colored gels;
• Brushes with synthetic bristles;
• Ultraviolet lamp;
• Tips.

3D sculpting on nails photo

How to design nails with colored gels

There are several methods for how to design nails with colored gels, but most artists adhere to the standard scheme.

Sequence of nail design using colored gels:

1. First, hand disinfection is carried out.
2. They do a dry manicure, then use a special solution to remove the natural shine of the nails and degrease them.
3. After completing these procedures, modeling of the free edge of the nail plate begins. The design is done using color acrylic powder, which has different densities. You can choose colors at your discretion and combine them the way you like.
4. After creating the main design, it is complemented with various design elements, such as rhinestones, small beads, dried flowers, nail paints, varnishes, etc. All this will give the pattern a complete look and enrich it.
5. Using a special file, I process only the perimeter of the free edge of the nail.
6. To achieve the waterfall effect, the nail is modeled using a transparent building gel. This is the final stage, after which the nails look as if under streams of water.

Acrylic sculpting on nails photo

This type of design has many advantages. First of all, waterfall design helps to save a lot of time as it is executed much faster than done traditional way volumetric design of similar complexity. This time saving is achieved due to the filing procedure, which is performed only along the perimeter of the free edge of the nail.

As a rule, any manicurist who professionally deals with volumetric design has several types of high-quality colored acrylic powders, which can be matte, transparent, translucent, pastel, colored, and also contain various sparkles. Thanks to such diversity, you can create absolutely any plot and choose an original color scheme.

Using acrylic powder, create a base layer. When it hardens, they begin to decorate the surface of the nail. To make the drawing look three-dimensional, a variety of materials are used: acrylic powder, shells, lace, nail polish, beads, dried flowers. These decorative elements allow you to create both a traditional floral pattern and a whole landscape design on the nail plate.

The modern nail design industry offers a wide variety of different techniques that can satisfy the tastes of even the most sophisticated fashionistas. Acrylic nail sculpting is a great way to create a truly unique manicure in honor of a special occasion. Spectacular voluminous decorative elements on your nails will attract the attention of others and make your look unique.

Features of sculpting acrylic nails for beginners

Acrylic sculpting got its name due to the fact that the process of performing nail design is more reminiscent of creating a sculpture than painting. To perform it, a special acrylic system is used, thanks to which the manicurist turns his creative ideas into reality.

Acrylic nail designs are usually done using special tips that are attached to the nails. However, recently, masters are increasingly combining techniques, combining gel extensions with elements of acrylic modeling.

The modern acrylic system includes two components - acrylic powder And special liquid(liquid). After mixing these materials, a thick mass is formed that is easy to sculpt. Acrylic has a very high degree of polymerization. In other words, after mixing powder and liquid, the material very quickly becomes hard and durable.

Nail artists use acrylic not only to sculpt three-dimensional elements on nails, but also to create a smile french manicure and to strengthen the nail plate.

When choosing acrylic powder, it is worth considering some nuances:

• High-quality powder should not spread or crystallize. The material should fit tightly onto the artificial or natural nail plate and be easy to further process.
• The porous structure of acrylic powder indicates that enough oxygen reaches the nails. In addition, this is the key to the strength and durability of the manicure.
• Acrylic powder has White color. But if you add special dyes to the powder, you can get any shade.
• When purchasing an acrylic system, you need to purchase powder and liquid from the same manufacturer.

The technique of working with acrylic is quite simple, but still requires some skill. A novice manicurist should first practice using special tips. Creating a nail design using an acrylic system includes the following steps:

• Nails should be carefully prepared - remove the old coating, remove the cuticle and give the nails the desired shape.
• If the design will be made on tips, then you should glue them to natural nails with special glue. Those who like gel extensions can use acrylic modeling after the top coat. The same applies to designs on natural nails.
• Acrylic powder and liquid should be mixed in the proportions specified in the manufacturer's instructions. The resulting mass rolls into small ball, from which the desired element is formed directly on the nail. To do this, use special tools for working with acrylic.
  

  All manipulations must be carried out as quickly and accurately as possible, because the material hardens quickly.

• After the desired result is obtained, you need to cover the nail with a thin layer of gel to ensure the safety of the manicure.

Volumetric nail design is perhaps the most original and complex solution that modern nail artists use to decorate plates. It can be performed on natural or artificial nails, using gel or acrylic material. It is quite difficult for beginning nail designers to master the technique of sculpting nails. However, nothing is impossible, because there are quite detailed step by step instructions, which help to perfect the modeling technique, and attentiveness, accuracy and a subtle sense of style will help to bring it to perfection.

Types of materials

To create three-dimensional patterns, gel and acrylic are used:

• 3D gels – have a dense, plastic texture, due to which convex elements are formed, intended for decorating the plate. This gel is easy to work with even for novice craftsmen, thanks to the ability to create a fragment of any shape and size, however, building complex patterns requires some experience. Upon completion of creating the ornament, the gel must be covered with a top coat;

Gel design

To create a complex, three-dimensional pattern, 3D gels are used. With their help, you can form perfect volumetric elements that perfectly hold the boundaries and do not spread over the surface of the nail. The good thing about the gel is that it does not fade over time, does not chip, and does not react to negative external influences. In addition, if desired, you can combine gels of different shades and add spectacular coloring pigments, including those that glow in the dark.

When sculpting nails with 3D gel, it is necessary to carefully polymerize each individual element, especially if the composition consists of several parts of different colors. Otherwise, the shades will mix and the design will have to start over.

For novice decorators, it is better to start working with gel by forming the simplest, for example floral, compositions:

• send to a lamp for polymerization;
• separate a drop of gel, roll a second ball and place it next to the first petal. Repeat the above action;
• Using the same pattern, form the third and fourth petals, not forgetting to dry each element in the lamp;
• shade the petals with gel polish, which was used for the main coating of the plates. Place a bead or sprinkle with glitter in the middle of the resulting flower, outlining the core. Send for polymerization in a lamp;
• apply top coating, dry, carefully remove the sticky layer.

The key points of gel nail sculpting can be seen in the video instructions.

It is worth noting that working with such material requires care, scrupulousness and accuracy. We must not forget to dry each element of the overall composition separately, and also ensure that the parts do not merge with each other.

For beginning designers, the best option would be to sculpt using special volumetric plastic stencils. To create such a decor, you need:

• prepare the plates, degrease, apply a base coat, paint them with gel polish, dry under a lamp, treat with a topcoat and remove the sticky layer;
• roll a small ball from the gel, place it in the selected stencil, press it well into the shape and smooth it out;
• turn the stencil over, apply it to the nail and press well. Send for polymerization in a lamp along with the form;

• carefully remove the stencil - the ornament will remain on the plate, and the form will easily come off;
• If desired, you can add decorative elements to the pattern: glitter, rhinestones or beads, dry under a lamp, cover with a top coat, remove the sticky layer.

Nail decoration elements made using sculpting look great even on short nails. The main thing is to harmoniously select the sizes of individual parts, without making them too large or too small, and also not to choose rich, bright colors. In addition, it is worth understanding that a voluminous design makes the handles somewhat heavier, so it is better to focus on only one nail, correctly designating the space.

Acrylic design

The acrylic system used to create a three-dimensional design consists of two ingredients - powder and monomer, which are mixed in a certain proportion, varying depending on the specifics of the decor. When combined, they form a thick, plastic mass, from which a certain ornament is subsequently formed.

To add color to this design, you can immediately mix colored powder with the monomer, or cover the pattern with the selected shade after completing the main work. Finally, the decor is coated with acrylic fixative.

If the modeling is too complex, a special supporting frame is used for it. However, this type of design, as a rule, does not have a long-term wear life, so it is performed only for special occasions.

Sculpting your nails with acrylic should only be done on artificial acrylic nails. This is explained by the fact that such a design is very heavy and overloads the overgrown part of the nail, even if the created figure is not large in shape. This will cause the natural plate to crack or break.

In addition, for good adhesion of the ornament, the plate must be as smooth and ugly as possible, otherwise it will simply fall off, and this is almost impossible to achieve on natural nails. However, if you really wish, you can use a special glue that reliably attaches the acrylic to the surface of the plate.

Process of creation acrylic design consists of the following steps:

The process of creating an acrylic ornament is very difficult for beginners due to the fact that the mixture hardens quickly and it is necessary to work as quickly and accurately as possible, with pinpoint precision.

As you can see from the photo, nail sculpting looks very impressive and incredibly beautiful. This best design, which is suitable for special, festive events. It will definitely make women's hands charming, tender and amazingly beautiful.

Volumetric sculpting on nails is a new fashion trend in the nail industry. The use of voluminous manicure designs is great for special occasions, and is especially popular among brides when creating a wedding manicure. This design looks very impressive, festive and unusual. We will tell you in this article how and with what help voluminous patterns on nails are made!

What is volumetric modeling and who is it suitable for?

So, nail sculpting is the creation of three-dimensional patterns using modeling acrylic powder or a special gel composition. With the help of these materials, the volumetric ornament you choose is literally molded as if from plasticine and gives the manicure a unique 3D and even 4D effect. Many girls choose flowers, fruits and even insects (butterflies, bugs, etc.) as patterns. This manicure is suitable for almost everyone, regardless of the shape and length of the nails, and can also be used on both your own and extended nails. Volumetric sculpting on nails is especially popular among brides, as well as among young girls as a summer manicure.

Materials necessary for volumetric modeling, their types, differences, advantages and disadvantages

Today, professionals use only two existing types of volumetric sculpting in manicure:

• modeling with modeling acrylic powder;
• modeling using a special gel composition.

Modeling with acrylic powder

Acrylic modeling is very popular. Powder can be transparent or translucent, various colors and shades, some manufacturers add glitter to it. Such a wide palette allows you to create beautiful three-dimensional patterns on your nails.

Acrylic extension and sculpting is done by combining two materials: acrylic powder and liquid (monomer - a transparent liquid necessary for hardening of acrylic powder). The connection of these materials is carried out directly at the moment of building up or creating a three-dimensional pattern.

Acrylic modeling comes in 2 types:

– when creating such a design, a finished three-dimensional acrylic element is placed on the nail, then the entire nail along with the design is filled with transparent gel. As a result, the pattern ends up inside the artificial nail. The advantage of aquarium sculpting is that the volumetric elements do not cling to clothing, which significantly increases the wear time of such a manicure. However, the thickness of the nail is very large, which for some may be a disadvantage.

With this type of modeling, acrylic elements are not filled with gel, and therefore the clearest volume of the pattern is visible. A significant disadvantage is the inconvenience of manicure in everyday life, since protruding patterns very often cling to clothes and other household items. Nevertheless, this type of modeling is very popular.

Advantages of sculpting with acrylic powder

• Modern acrylic contains the substance ethyl methacrylate. This substance does not harm the nail plate, but on the contrary, gives the nails healthy looking, makes them more durable and elastic.
• Acrylic is practically unaffected by temperatures. Acrylic also does not disrupt the shape and natural appearance of the nail. The nail plate does not bend under acrylic.
• Acrylic is easy to remove from the nail. You just need to dip your nail in a special liquid and it will easily dissolve. In this case, your own nail will not be damaged in any way.
• Using acrylic you can create beautiful manicure designs.

Disadvantages of acrylic sculpting

• Acrylic should absolutely not be used by people with different kinds fungal diseases, since it creates a greenhouse effect on the nails and the disease will develop even faster from this;
• It is not recommended to use acrylic for people with gastrointestinal diseases, as well as those suffering from diabetes and problems with the hormonal system;
• People using medications and girls during menstruation should not use acrylic either.

Modeling using gel

Gel sculpting is a newer phenomenon than acrylic sculpting. Previously, gels were liquid, and with their help it was impossible to create three-dimensional patterns, because they spread. Now they have begun to produce thick gels that are specially designed for creating voluminous decorative designs.

Working with gel is much more difficult than working with acrylic. Each new layer of colored gel requires separate drying under a UV lamp, which makes the process longer and more expensive. This is the main feature and distinctive feature sculpting using gel compositions.

There are 2 types of gel:

1. 3D gel– has a dense and plastic consistency. With its help it is easy to create three-dimensional drawings. Often used in baguette modeling, as a frame for a pattern or picture.
2. 4D gel– this gel has a very dense consistency, which is similar to hard sculptural plasticine or clay. Before starting work, such “plasticine” for nails is divided into small parts in the form of balls, and then the required pattern is cut out of it with a special metal tool. This gel sticks very strongly to your hands and tools, so when working with it you need to use a cleanser - a means to remove the sticky layer.

Advantages of gel sculpting

• Gel does not have harmful substances in the composition, therefore it is not contraindicated for use even by women during pregnancy;
• The material is very elastic, which allows you to “sculpt” all kinds of decorative elements from it without much difficulty;
• The gel has no unpleasant odor;
• Does not harm nails at all and does not worsen their condition.

Disadvantages of gel sculpting

Using nail gel is quite difficult, so for the first time it is better to entrust the procedure to a professional, and after gaining a little visual experience, you can try to make simple compositions yourself, at home.

Step-by-step technique for performing a manicure using the power of volumetric acrylic sculpting

In order to create a three-dimensional pattern on your nails using acrylic sculpting, you will need the following tools:

• Acrylic powder in the desired colors;
• Liquid (monomer);
• Thin brush and flat brushes for pattern modeling;
• Napkins;
• Decorative elements (rhinestones, sparkles);

Acrylic modeling is used on extended nails or on gel polish coating

Step-by-step technique for performing volumetric manicure with the power of gel

To create volumetric sculpting using modeling gel, you will need the following tools:

• Dots;
• Gel (3D/4D);
• Means for removing the sticky layer (cleaner);

Gel sculpting is usually used on extended nails, but it can also be used on nails coated with gel polish/shellac or acrylic.

At the end of the extension or after applying gel/varnish, the sticky layer must be removed from the surface of the coating.

1. Perform nail extensions or cover them with gel polish. Dry under a UV lamp and remove the sticky layer from the surface;
2. Using a pusher, take a little gel and use your fingers to form a base for the design;
3. Place the gel on the surface of the base and use a dot or brush to form the desired pattern; you can smooth out sharp corners with a brush dipped in a cleanser;
4. Dry the result under a UV lamp;
5. Repeat the same procedure to create the remaining elements of the three-dimensional pattern;
6. If desired, add other decorative elements (rhinestones, beads);
7. At the end of the work, apply a top coat to the design without touching the rhinestones or beads. Dry in a UV lamp.

Interesting design ideas with modeling

3D and 4D nail sculpting, although a new phenomenon, is already actively used by a large number of girls and women. This is not surprising, because three-dimensional drawings, when done correctly, look very beautiful and unusual! Let's look at the most popular and spectacular types of volumetric nail designs:

Dear girls, beautiful and well-groomed hands are your calling card! If you are going to a celebration or just want to look stunning, then the 3D effect on your nails is what you need. And if you put in a little effort and be patient, over time you will be able to create similar beauty on your nails yourself. We hope that our article will help you with this! Go for it!

Volumetric sculpting on nails amazes with its beauty and grace, but frightens with the apparent complexity of execution. This type of decor really has many nuances. But master the process of creating beautiful volumetric figures even a novice master can do it. What are the features of 4D modeling and how to do it correctly and aesthetically? This is what we will talk about today.

Gels for modeling. Types, functions, purpose

The most commonly used materials for three-dimensional design modeling are gels, as well as sculptural ones. They have the following nuances:

• 3D: differs from the classic gel in a denser and more flexible structure. This is what is chosen for baguette (frame) modeling.
• 4D: has a dense texture, similar to hard plasticine. Modeling with it is performed in tandem with (liquid for cleaning brushes) for processing (), since the gel sticks to the tool and hands.
• Sculptural: used to create artificial nails. These materials are viscous and not self-leveling. They require sanding to smooth the surface, but do not require a topcoat.

At the moment, the development of manicure techniques is aimed at simplifying work with any material. And it is 4D gels that are the type with which it is as simple and clear as possible to work even for self-taught masters. The technique of working with this dense mass that holds its shape perfectly is developed quickly. And the finished figures amaze with their stylish and spectacular execution, no worse than in an expensive salon. In order to create luxurious designs at home yourself, you need to know all the intricacies of gel plasticine. Namely…

Volumetric design: advantages of using 4D gel

The new generation of gels for nail design, as an alternative to classic acrylic sculpting, has many advantages in operation.

1. They allow you to create any shape without rushing to work out the details. This material does not dry instantly in the air and does not spread over the nail like water. That is why this is the best “training” product for those learning the basics of nail art.
2. Since the creation process is quite time-consuming, the master doing the modeling will certainly appreciate such a bonus as the absence of a pungent odor. If you need to sculpt fragile elements, it is also convenient that you can make the thinnest parts without spoiling the material. With this approach, the illusion of glass decor, as if glowing from within, is achieved.

3. The newest gels allow you to create jewelry that does not cling to clothing or hair with sharp tips and edges. 4D decor is stronger and more durable, resistant to external influences, and is not susceptible to chipping or color fading. back side medals - the need to carefully and carefully create a dense pattern without damaging the nails.

4. Plasticine gels create maximum scope for creativity. They can create both ultra-thin and textured shapes (up to 5 mm thick). And the texture itself perfectly accepts any third-party decor: , . 4D nail gels also mix well with each other. And even in one image they are combined with and. You just need to supplement the main design product with decorations sparingly, so as not to excessively lengthen the polymerization process of the finished manicure.

Gel plasticine: features of performing and wearing volumetric manicure

In order to remain completely satisfied with this product, during the design process you need to remember and follow several simple rules.

• Depending on the thickness of the figure, each created element of the composition requires at least three to four minutes separately. In this case, during the laying out process, extreme care must be taken so that individual parts of the pattern do not merge with each other during polymerization.
• An eraser will serve as an eraser for correcting unevenness of a particular element. The alcohols in its composition will make the gel more plastic. However, you are not limited in the number of correction attempts. Since without baking (even with direct sunlight or a bright lamp on a table) the 4-D gel will not harden.
• Maintaining hygiene during the sculpting process will allow you to achieve an ideal result. Wash your hands thoroughly before creating decor. And treat the fingertips that you will use to knead and form the gel with a cleanser. Any foreign particles and dust can spoil the color of the sticky 4-D gel.
• When choosing a tool for work, give preference to a hard one, or, since a soft brush will not provide enough pressure for sculpting.

• If your painting consists of gels of different shades, then they should be polymerized one by one. And before drying, do not forget to check whether you have painted the ends of the free edge. Otherwise, your manicure, when examined closely, will not look as perfect as you want.
• A pleasant surprise of the new generation of gels is that they are absolutely not capricious when drying. Even the high density of the product and the hiding power of the color do not affect the quality of drying in the lamp. Manicurists did not report cases of incomplete baking or other problems.
• When resorting to modeling as decoration, observe moderation. An abundance of decor will not decorate your manicure. For a particularly important event, it is more appropriate to resort to such decor as an accent, for 1-2 fingers.
• Volumetric modeling is not the best companion for a beach holiday or everyday manicure, even despite its strength. If you still really want to decorate your nails in this way, place the sculpt on the nail according to safety rules.

How to correctly place 4D sculpting and decorations on your nail. Features of molded manicure on natural nails

• The ideal location of volumetric decor on the nail is its highest point, the so-called stress zone. This is where the modeling will last as long as possible. The worst solution is the cuticle area and the free edge, since it is extremely difficult to secure such a composition well there. And the risk of breaking a nail increases significantly.
• It is functionally justified to decorate in this way not the entire surface of the nail plate, but only a certain part of it. This way the design will be easy and comfortable to wear. At the same time, to maintain compositional unity, it is better to decorate the nails on the remaining fingers with a coating, the color of which will be in harmony with the main character of the image.
• Modeling is combined not only with extensions, but also with natural nails. For the latter it is worth remembering important rule: before applying volumetric decor, the natural nail plate must be “protected” with a layer of decorative material - or. And before that, as in the case of extensions, degrease the nail.

• For greater strength, fix the finished “picture” with a finishing coating in accordance with the selected product (or). Do not fill the decor too much - you will blur the contrast of the elements. But a slight gloss and blur will not harm the decor. To comply with the measure, apply the top with a brush pressed firmly against the edge of the bottle and only on the surface of the figure, without touching other decorations. This way you will reliably protect the drawing from mechanical damage. You will also make the colors of the selected volumetric gels brighter and more saturated.
• When supplementing the 4-D gel with rhinestones or other large decor, do not additionally fix it in the product itself. They will be baked monolithically in the lamp. By the way, you can dry your entire hand(s) at once, because the voluminous gel will not lose its shape while you decorate the rest of your nails.

Now you know about the latest generation of nail decorating gels absolutely everything you need for productive creativity. Beautiful to you and stylish manicures!

Materials used for sculpting are: