Color painting design
50 Best Living Room Color Ideas
Read McKendree
When it comes to living room design, a flattering color palette is one of the first aspects you need to nail down. It will likely drive the whole design scheme and set the mood for years to come. Plus, your living room is probably the most-used room in the house, so choosing colors that make you look forward to spending time in it is a must! Whether you want something bold and bright, neutral, or dark and moody, we've laid out tons of designer-approved living room paint color ideas to help you get inspired. All you have to do is put on your overalls and grab a roller—or, you know, hire someone else to do the dirty work. The hardest part will be deciding between all of these living room colors. But once you do, you can start shopping for the decor.
🏡You love finding new design tricks. So do we. Let us share the best of them.
Seth Smoot
1 of 50
Gray-Purple
In a Cape Cod-style home for a couple of empty nesters, designer Lauren Nelson painted the living room walls in Farrow & Ball's Dove Tale—a warm gray with purple undertones. It keeps the atmosphere neutral yet inviting.
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Pearl
A soft white paint with a slight gray tone to it can easily make your living room a spot you want to spend all day in. Take it from designer Sharon Rembaum, who dressed this living room with textured pieces in a neutral color palette to boost its overall coziness.
TREVOR PARKER
3 of 50
Cerulean Blue
Designer Garrow Kedigan made use of Lakeside Cabin by Benjamin Moore on the walls of this cozy corner. The faded cerulean blue acts as a soft backdrop to the rich orange and gold decor and dark gray sofa.
Sean Litchfield
4 of 50
Cloudy Green
Reminiscent of the outdoors and luxurious spas, sage green can instantly make your living room feel welcoming. In this speakeasy-inspired room by Brooklinteriors, Art Deco, Eastern World, and bohemian elements are blended together on a background of Clare's Dirty Martini paint for an opulent but casual atmosphere.
Alyssa Rosenheck
5 of 50
Sunny Yellow
Sunny yellow walls can instantly brighten up your living room— no matter if you have big windows or small openings for natural light.
In this room designed by Taylor Anne Interiors, Farrow & Ball's Citron adds energy to the tropical-yet-modern space.
Haris Kenjar
6 of 50
Ebony
Set a moody yet cozy scene by painting your walls and ceiling in a soft shade of ebony. For designer Sean Anderson's client, comfort and function in the living room were crucial for entertaining. He painted the room in Iron Ore by Sherwin-Williams and layered items that told the homeowner's story to enhance the welcoming atmosphere.
Mali Azima
7 of 50
Red Clay
Designed by Melanie Turner, this living room's walls are painted in Windswept Canyon by Sherwin-Williams. The assortment of furniture styles is united by a common colorway that pairs nicely with the paint.
LAUREY GLENN
8 of 50
Frost Blue
Frost blue walls—in Benjamin Moore's Philipsburg Blue, to be exact—offer the right amount of softness in this formal dining room designed by Jenny Wolf. Gold framed art and a textured rug add warmth near the fireplace.
2022 TREVOR PARKER PHOTOGRAPHY
9 of 50
Teal
"It’s a vibrant happy blue while not being too overwhelming, says designer Rudy Saunders of the color on the walls of his Upper East Side studio apartment. It's Fine Paints of Europe Jefferson Blue from the Dorothy Draper paint collection.
Bjorn Wallander
10 of 50
Sangria
Designer Krsnaa Mehta aimed for a salon feel in the heart of his India home. The sangria-and-blue palette of the living room achieves that inviting look that's best suited for entertaining.
Lisa Romerein
11 of 50
Cream
This sunny living room designed by Thomas Callaway exudes warmth, despite the grand size and ceiling height. Callaway broke the room into zones to enhance intimacy and then used soft buttery glaze on the walls to give the room a golden glow, and layered rich yet mellow fabrics.
Jared Kuzia Photography
12 of 50
Dark Blue-Green
Designer Cecilia Casagrande chose rich jewel tones for this Boston Colonial living room.
It's classic yet fresh. The paint color—Farrow & Ball Hague Blue—in particular, straddles that duality of modern and traditional styles, perfect for a historic home. Casagrande also mixed contemporary elements with more traditional ones to further play with that juxtaposition between old and new.
Thijs de Leeuw/Space Content/Living Inside
13 of 50
Dusty Rose
Atelier ND and homeowner Carice Van Houten used a variety of plant species to liven up the room and create visual intrigue with different heights and shapes. It really freshens up the bold pastels and rich earthy tones for a unique composition. Pro tip: Don't forget to paint the ceiling for a more immersive impression.
Anna Spiro Design
14 of 50
Buttercream
Instead of painting the walls blue, designer Anna Spiro covered the hardwood floors in a cheerful blue color. She also made the windows extra sunny by painting the frames buttercream yellow.
Brie Williams
15 of 50
Pitch Black
Dark black walls and lots of warm gold and caramel tones make this living room designed by Ariene Bethea super cozy but also formal and regal—the ideal balance if your living room doubles as the family room.
She used Tricorn Black by Sherwin-Williams.
Kendall McCaugherty
16 of 50
Peach
The open floor plan in this Chicago family apartment designed by Bruce Fox called for cohesion between the dining and living room areas. That soft peachy paint and deep pink sofa are reflected in the printed armchair at the head of the dining table, and also mimic the rosy glow of the pendant light. The color scheme was inspired by a photograph taken of the family in London during spring when the city was veiled in cherry blossoms.
Read McKendree
17 of 50
Clay
Dark gray walls can be a bit brooding, like storm clouds, but in the case of this sunny Manhattan apartment by Elizabeth Cooper, they look playful and contemporary. Cheerful pinks, a dash of cobalt blue, traditional granny-chic patterns, and whimsical artwork lighten the mood.
Nicole Franzen
18 of 50
Off-White
While bright colors can help liven up a room, it's not the only route.
Take this neutral-toned living room by Kristin Fine: Soft and texture-rich upholstery mix with off-white paint, rustic wood pieces, and plenty of antique accents to make a surprisingly modern impression with lots of character.
Robert McKinley
19 of 50
Olive
Robert McKinley wanted to keep the color scheme in this country retreat earthy and neutral but also wanted to inject it with a little warmth. He opted for a quietly sophisticated shade of olive green for the walls while the chose a cream color for the wood-paneled ceiling.
Chris Mottalini
20 of 50
Steel Gray
This New York City living room designed by Nanette Brown is a lesson in dark paint decorating that strikes the balance between formal and casual, sophisticated and easy-going, elevated and cozy. The exact color pictured is Amethyst Shadow from Benjamin Moore.
Paul Raeside
21 of 50
Light Lime Green
Take your cues from the bold pattern mixing and modern artwork on display in this living room designed by Les Ensembliers.
A light green color on the ceiling is an unexpected surprise that ties the whole room together. Here, it pairs beautifully with the yellow curtains, geometric green ottoman, and plenty of gray tones throughout.
Paul Raeside
22 of 50
Lemon Yellow
Does the thought of painting your living room yellow scare you to your very core? How about now that you've seen this timeless and cheerful living room designed by Michael Maher? One glance at this space, and we're about ready to repaint our own: It radiates warmth and offsets the cool blue tones.
Heidi Caillier
23 of 50
Light Fawn
This muted fawn color in a living room designed by Heidi Caillier is hard to pin down, and that's exactly why we like it. Not quite brown, not quite beige, it's a nice offbeat eath-tone option that functions as a neutral.
Simon Watson
24 of 50
Glossy Black-Green
Deep, dark, and glossy, the lacquered black-blue-green color makes this living room by Kristin Hein and Philip Cozzi seductive and mysterious.
Paired with bohemian furniture and accents, the more moody qualities become more approachable and cozy.
Maura McEvoy
25 of 50
Kelly Green Splash
"I love the juxtaposition between the traditional space and the modern staircase," says Eliza Crater of Sister Parish Design. The rich kelly green accent wall and decorative floral curtains help bring some fullness and warmth to otherwise all-white surfaces in her home.
Bjorn Wallander
26 of 50
Charcoal
The traditional, neutral furniture in this room designed by Balsamo Antiques and Interior Design make a minimal visual impact so the moody colors, artwork, light fixtures, and other decorative accents can stand out. A deep, almost purple-gray tone turns out to be a wonderfully complex and evocative backdrop, so don't be afraid to try something different.
Douglas Friedman
27 of 50
Navy
Ann Pyne worked with decorative painter Arthur Fowler to create a contrasting geometric pattern on the walls.
"I think of the puzzle-like shapes as a metaphor—it's a game of fitting all these disparate 'treasures' into a graphically coherent whole," she says. Matte navy blue and a gritty mustard tone work together to set a pensive and seductive backdrop—perfect for a smaller living room.
Heather Hilliard
28 of 50
Crisp White
A crisp, matte white is totally timeless. Sherwin-Williams Pure White is there for you when you're not interested in going for a trending paint color.
Francesco Lagnese
29 of 50
Mint Green
Channel a lush tropical oasis, as Thomas Jayne and William Cullum did, with this fresh color. In a living room where the paint stretches all the way up to the rafters, the hue changes depending on the way the light hits it, shifting between sharp mint and soft sea foam green.
Paul Raeside
30 of 50
Khaki
Designer Garrow Kedigian defines a neutral as "anything that isn't jarring," which is a super helpful way to reframe things if cream, white, or gray simply isn't cutting it in your living room and you can't figure out why.
Certain spaces just call for something outside the box, whether it's because of an architectural style, light exposures, or existing furniture. Here, the walls are painted Benjamin Moore's Rattan.
35 Best House Painting Ideas for Every Room in Your Home 2023
Shade Degges
1 of 35
Ultra-Light Mint
Designer Jae Joo brightened up this old Boston Rowhouse with a fresh coat of ultra-light mint green paint. The warmth of the exposed brick accent wall, railing, artwork, and dresser fill the space with character and history for a smooth balance.
Shop this shade below:
BUY NOW Farrow & Ball Cromarty, $110
Paul Raeside
2 of 35
Black Chalk Paint
This entryway designed by Garrow Kedigian is whimsical yet elegant, thanks to the drawn-on moldings. Matte black walk paint gives the space a moody, intimate atmosphere to contrast the more playful elements for a balanced whole.
BUY NOW Annie Sloan Black Chalk Paint, $43
Francesco Lagnese
3 of 35
Neon Pink
Intense, eye-catching, and adventurous, the neon pink walls in this townhouse designed by Jonathan Berger make quite the first impression.
Use it in a foyer for a warm, welcoming, impossible-to-forget entrance, or to embolden a lackluster hallway.
Shop a similar shade below:
BUY NOW Benjamin Moore Peony, $45
Johnny Valiant
4 of 35
High-Gloss Chartreuse
These high-gloss green walls in a hallway designed by Christina Murphy are such a fun surprise and make an otherwise boring transitional space feel fun.
Shop a similar shade below:
BUY NOW Behr High-Gloss Sparkling Apple, $34
House Beautiful
5 of 35
Gray-Brown
Kim Alexandruik's motto is to "go for impact." Use it as an opportunity to play with unusual seating and colorful artwork that may be harder to integrate into other rooms. Her color of choice is a "putty-colored gray, with a hint of pink and lavender. Not too light, so it doesn't go vapid," says Aleandruik. Use this hallway designed by Mally Skok as inspiration.
Shop a similar shade below:
BUY NOW Farrow & Ball Elephant's Breath 229, $110
Sarah Shields Photography
6 of 35
Plum
The plum cabinetry in this mudroom designed by Whittney Parkinson gives the area a calming presence.
When paired with wicker baskets and brown tiled flooring, it's even more earthy and homey.
Shop a similar shade below:
BUY NOW Farrow & Ball Brinjal 222, $110
David A. Land
7 of 35
Red and Lavender
If you're feeling adventurous, color-block with two bold shades. Follow this living room by Katie Brown as an example, using the fresh color combination of fire engine red and violet in this space. And see how the pillows tie everything together so nicely? That's another great way to approach the living room design process: Start with a fun pair of throw pillows and then pull out your two favorite colors to highlight on the walls and ceiling.
Shop a similar shade below:
BUY NOW Benjamin Moore Exotic Fuschia, $80
JESSIE PREZA
8 of 35
Dutch Blue
Game rooms should be fun, so don't shy away from color! Designer and homeowner Fitz Pullins opted for a bold blue that's perfect for both daytime fun and dressier evenings.
That neon light in the corner is a nice touch, too.
Shop a similar shade below:
BUY NOW Benjamin Moore Washington Blue, $47
Tamsin Johnson
9 of 35
Pale Green
When you want a light neutral but find white too stark and beige too boring, opt for a super pale shade of green. Green-infused grays will feel like a breath of fresh air and adds just the right touch of intrigue as a backdrop for the gallery wall in this living room designed by Tamsin Johnson.
Shop a similar shade below:
BUY NOW Farrow & Ball Mizzle, $110
Barbara Corsico
10 of 35
Sky Blue
The artwork in this living room designed by Kingston Lafferty truly comes to life when paired with the color-blocked ceiling, walls, and fireplace, the sputnik light, and patterned chairs. In fact, the space itself is like a work of art. To replicate this look, opt for a lighter shade of blue on the largest section of the wall and then a more saturated shade of blue on a small piece, like a fireplace.
Shop a similar shade below:
BUY NOW Benjamin Moore Waterloo, $80
MALI AZIMA
11 of 35
Sage Green
No color creates a soothing atmosphere quite like sage green. Use it in your living room or in a library, as designer Melanie Turner did here in a historic Atlanta home's scrapbook-filled study. Paired with cozy seating of a similar color and a fireplace, the space makes for an ideal nook to sit down and get lost in a book.
BUY NOW Farrow & Ball Calke Green, $110
House Beautiful
12 of 35
Violet
Hand-painted murals can mimic the effect of wallpaper by introducing a story and pattern. But it's also safer inn splash zones like the kitchen, where wallpaper may feel a little more risky for some. Here, the lavender swirls of paint on a buttercream backdrop complement the elaborate blue chandelier, too. Then the classic, neutral cabinets and island ground the space.
Shop a similar shade of purple paint below:
BUY NOW Glidden Violet Shimmer, $23
GRT Architects
13 of 35
Flat Black
In this midcentury Hudson Valley home, GRT Architects painted all the walls and windows a low gloss black to foreground the view and accentuate the large windows.
The inky tone also helps contemporize and dress up the family kitchen.
Shop a similar shade:
BUY NOW Portola Paints Utlra Flat Acrylic Sample, $10
Anna Spiro Design
14 of 35
Kelly Green
Verdant and fresh, there's a reason green works in every room. Pick between lime, pea, and clover for a nature-inspired space. If you aren't sure about covering the whole room in something so wild, just paint the trims and/or doors. In this energizing kitchen designed by Anna Spiro, the pops of high-gloss Kelly green do the trick.
Shop a similar shade below:
BUY NOW Benjamin Moore Peppermint Leaf, $80
Heidi Caillier Design
15 of 35
Classic Gray
Avoid ho-hum neutrals. These go-to basics feature a few surprises, like a smoky lavender, moss green, and chocolate brown. In this galley kitchen designed by Heidi Caillier, the smoky paint brings some polish and formality.
Shop a similar shade below:
BUY NOW Farrow & Ball Plummett, $110
James Merrell
16 of 35
Marigold
Even kitchens can have a little fun—every color of the rainbow is fair game. We love this goldenrod yellow that picks up on some of the colors in the wallpaper of this Rita Konig-designed kitchen.
Shop a similar shade below:
BUY NOW Farrow & Ball Dutch Orange, $110
Dustin Halleck
17 of 35
Rich Green
A vivid green scheme instantly commands attention, making it the perfect choice for a kitchen conceived for entertaining. Take note of this one designed by SuzAnn Kletzien. The cabinets, crown and base moldings, and window trim are all painted in Benjamin Moore's Hunter Green in a satin finish. "It's a very appetizing color," Kletzien says.
BUY NOW Benjamin Moore Hunter Green 2041-10, $47
STEPHEN KARLISCH
18 of 35
Bright Orange
Don't neglect your pantry—it could use a fresh coat of paint, too.
Consider covering exposed shelving in a bright orange hue for an unexpected and playful pop in a room that's often fairly dull. In this pantry, Pulp Design Studio used Sherwin-Williams Daredevil in a satin finish.
BUY NOW Sherwin-Williams Daredevil 6882, $71
Cameron Ruppert Interiors
19 of 35
Royal Blue
In a formal dining room, choose something regal, like a deep royal blue. In this space by Cameron Ruppert Interiors, the glossy, luxe paint dresses up the bohemian upholstery and light area rug for approachable fine dining.
Shop a similar shade below:
BUY NOW Fine Paints of Europe Hollandac Brilliant (Price Upon Request)
Emil Sindlev
20 of 35
Burnt Orange
In a casual apartment dining nook designed by Emil Dervish, a pop of burnt orange spices up the entire area. The deep red and brown undertones keep things edgy and streamlined but make it just a touch more cheerful.
The steel blue sconce adds a quirky touch while the concrete planter stays in line with the industrial vibe.
Shop a similar shade below:
BUY NOW Benjamin Moore Ravishing Red, $80
Kingston Lafferty Design
21 of 35
Dusty Purple
Though purple and black don't seem like the most obvious pair for a grownup, calming bedroom, they actually work together brilliantly here. Kingston Lafferty Design accentuated the purple details in the shelf and bedding with a dusty, gray purple tone and then played up the cooler undertones with sharper black metal accents.
Shop a similar shade below:
BUY NOW Benjamin Moore Raspberry Ice, $47
Anna Spiro Design
22 of 35
High Gloss Red Moldings
Only the moldings are painted in this bedroom designed by Anna Spiro while the rest of the surfaces are covered in texture-rich materials, from the floral wallpaper to the sisal carpeting.
Spiro opted for a higher sheen of this red hue to make the architectural details pop even more (and also because the higher the sheen, the easier to clean!).
BUY NOW Rust-Oleum International Harvester, $98
Amelia Stanwix
23 of 35
Cocoa
With slightly less of the red clay undertone than other popular brown paint colors, this one is more calming than it is energizing. Designer Fiona Lynch felt it was perfect for a bedroom. She used Rich Biscuit by Dulux and then mixed in some offbeat accents for an eclectic elegance.
BUY NOW Dulux Rich Biscuit Sample, $6
Francesco Lagnese
24 of 35
Dusty Pink
If you love the romantic, sweet qualities of light pink but don't want it to be too saturated, opt for a nice dusty rose. This one has a mysterious smokiness to it that's softened by the whimsical accents. "Exuberantly feminine, yet resolutely chic" was designer Jonathan Berger's motto for decorating this Brooklyn townhouse.
Berger found the Suzani on eBay, while and the curvy Venetian-inspired headboard is covered in Nouvelle Orleans, a cut velvet from Clarence House.
Shop a similar shade below:
BUY NOW Farrow & Ball Sulking Room Pink, $110
THIJS DE LEEUW/SPACE CONTENT/LIVING INSIDE
25 of 35
Deep Eggplant
In this modern yet retro bedroom designed by Atelier ND, the walls are painted in Pontefract by Paint & Paper Library for a bold and rich mood. The immersive and unique hue defies definition (but if we had to try, we'd say it's a purplish-reddish black)—which is one of the many reasons the design team chose it. Even the radiator becomes cool when painted in it! The pendants were sourced from an old church and wall-to-wall carpeting never looked better.
BUY NOW Paint & Paper Library Pontefract $42
Gieves Anderson
26 of 35
Dark Army Green
David Frazier connected this New York City apartment bedroom to nature but also ensured that it didn't look out of place thanks to the Studio Green Farrow & Ball paint, antique furniture, and crisp bedding.
Color aside, the texture-rich finish elevates the walls even further. "We wanted to showcase the movement in the plaster, so we had the walls painted in a satin finish it gives a certain depth that we wouldn’t have been able to achieve with a flat paint.”
BUY NOW Farrow & Ball Studio Green, $115
Anna Spiro Design
27 of 35
Bright Turquoise
With the right bedroom, even the most stressful days can melt away as you get ready for bed. A cheerful bright blue like this one in a space by Ana Spiro makes it hard not to smile. The fun floral and leopard-print pillows help, too.
Shop a similar shade below:
BUY NOW Farrow & Ball St. Giles Blue, $110
Anna Spiro Design
28 of 35
Bubblegum Pink
Too outrageous? No such thing. Bright bubblegum pink is a fearless choice. In this bedroom by Anna Spiro, it asserts a youthful spirit to balance out the traditional pieces, like the dresser and tight floral patterns.
Shop a similar shade below:
BUY NOW Benjamin Moore Deep Carnation, $47
Amy Neunsinger
29 of 35
Coral
Nothing quite radiates like joy like coral (as far as paint colors are concerned, at least). In this bedroom by Nicky Kehoe, it picks up the bright tones featured in the gallery wall while the trimming, which is a darker gray color, reflects the cooler neutrals in the bedding and accents. Under direct light, it appears brighter, while it mimics the more muted shade of terra cotta in dimmer or less direct light.
Shop this shade below:
BUY NOW Farrow & Ball Red Earth, $110
Arent & Pyke
30 of 35
Steel Blue
Make sure your room looks its best ever by choosing flattering shades. Yes, that's really a thing. Spoiler: It's usually an adventurous or unexpected neutral. In this bathroom, design studio Arent & Pyke opted for a steel gray.
Shop a similar shade below:
BUY NOW Farrow & Ball Down Pipe, $110
Popular nail monograms and step by step tutorial
Published: March 12, 2017 at 11:00 pm
Updated: May 7, 2020 at 5:15 pm
Nail monograms
Contents
- Monograms as a type of nail painting.
- "Air" manicure: top 5 ways to create a "monogram" design
- Manicure "Monogram" for beginners. Tips and secrets of technology
- Monograms and decor: with what trend techniques and decorative elements this ornament design is especially popular
Popular types and their features Monograms , as a type of creative nail painting, are permanent manicure classics. We love this design at any time of the year, as it gives each created image a special tenderness, expressiveness, fragility. The secret of the popularity of monograms is their simplicity and complexity at the same time. Armed with training cards, even beginners in manicure techniques can equally gracefully perform expressive paintings on both hands. What is the beauty of these bewitching curls? This is what we will tell you today.
Monograms as a type of nail painting. Popular types and their features
Monogram has become popular as a decor because it is a win-win way to visually give the nails more length and a beautiful arched curve. What types of monograms are especially popular in classic nail art?
- French. French monograms is a “frame painting”, neat and original. The drawing frames the nail plate on the side or along the entire contour. The design got its name due to the fact that they are most often decorated with pastel-colored manicures or typical French looks.
- Original. This type of monogram nail-decoration is typical for extended nails. It is characterized by pretentiousness and even outrageousness, a bold and creative combination of colors. The original monograms cover the entire nails. Unlike the French image, they often decorate the entire manicure, and not individual fingers-accents.
- Modern. This variety is interesting in that each nail in it can be decorated with an individual pattern on the entire plate, which is not repeated anywhere else in the manicure. Fancy ornaments have a three-dimensional look and visually look like rich embroidery on expensive fabric.
- This is the usual and beloved gossamer lace, thin and airy. The most filigree type of monograms, time-consuming, but as feminine as possible.
"Air" manicure: top 5 ways to create a "monogram" design
Each master has his own favorite techniques and tools for this design. Conventionally, in order of increasing complexity of execution, the following methods of creating “curls” are distinguished:
- Monograms-sliders. For a beginner, perhaps the easiest and fastest option. The main thing is to have on hand a dense varnish (shellac) of the classic scale (white, black, red) and a good top coat for varnish or gel polish (ultra-glossy or matte for both types).
You do not need the skills of an artist, only a taste in the selection of a drawing and a color coating that sets it off. - Transfer foil design. The secret to doing this variation well is to choose a good glue and let it dry slowly. When choosing the drawing itself, it is better to give preference to a monochrome design, since it is better tolerated and looks more expressive in the finished manicure.
- Stamping and stencils. These two techniques require more tools (boards, dies, tweezers, skin protection), as well as the necessary accessories and auxiliary fluids (WDL, sponge, special varnishes), but the final result will pleasantly amaze you. The finished picture in terms of entertainment will not yield even to the podium painting. Not to mention the fact that it will take much less time to train and fill your hand.
- Painting with varnish, shellac, acrylic. It is best to learn the art of painting starting with acrylic.
It lies flat on the nails, without spreading, is a more resistant material that keeps freshness and shine in the sock longer. Having stuffed your hand, you can already move on to more liquid and plastic textures (gel polish and varnish), the beauty of the design with which will help to maintain a high-quality top. - Painting with gel paint. Due to the optimal density of the product, this type of design, with due skill, patience, perseverance and accuracy, will be quickly mastered by beginners. The main thing is to monitor the clarity and smoothness of movements, and do not forget to carefully polymerize the drawing.
Monogram manicure for beginners. Tips and secrets of technology
- Fill your hand. Chart cards (training cards for practicing compositions) will help you a lot with this. These are original "copybooks", but only for nail-art drawings. On such training materials, you can practice to your heart's content - trace the monograms according to the finished stencil and try it yourself.
You can easily find them on the Internet and download them for work absolutely free! Thanks to them, the hand learns to draw confidently and clearly, not to tremble. And you - to correctly adjust the amount of varnish on the brush, so that the painting is uniform and without flaws. When performing a complex pattern, apply curls in stages, drying the previous one before applying a new one on top. Then the composition will look clear and neat. - Fluency and regularity. When painting, try to dry each element well, draw as accurately as possible. Coatings that require drying in a lamp, carefully polymerize. After completing the drawings, do not forget to fix them with a good finish. It is better to always start painting from the free edge to the base of the nail, so in case of some flaws it will be easier to correct the drawing.
- Color balance. For the expressiveness and beauty of your painting, choose a solid base, and the color of the painting - a contrasting one.
A delicate scale will be more effectively decorated with black monograms and vice versa. Harmoniously choosing colors, you will create a stylish and unique design, even if the drawing is the simplest.
- Sense of taste. To make your manicure elegant, draw monograms in one color. Variegated painting breaks the harmony. If you do not decorate the monograms themselves, then the design can be appropriately supplemented with rhinestones, colored sand, liquid stones. At the same time, observe moderation and do not overload the image so as not to distract from the “main character” - curls). For durability, remember to secure the design (seal the ends) with a top coat.
- Gradual complication. It is best to master the monogram technique by drawing not lines, but small dots with an equal distance between them. Then the design will look clear and harmonious, and you will make fewer mistakes when creating it.
- Material preparation. Stir the painting paint in advance (if using from a bottle) to distribute the pigment evenly.
For work, it is better to use a thin brush with natural bristles (length - no more than 5 mm and width 1 mm). Such a tool is suitable for any design with small details.
Monograms and decor: with what trend techniques and decorative elements this ornament design is especially popular
"manicure. All of them, complemented by elegant painting, look aristocratic, holistic, elegant. By carefully adding monograms to any mono-manicure, you quickly transform it from everyday to festive. The special charm of monogram design is that it is appropriate for ladies of any age, as it attracts attention to the beauty of nails and hides to some extent the age of their owner.0004
Many craftsmen advise using small rhinestones (imitating dew drops or flower heads) as an additional decoration. And the best choice here, of course, would be Swarovski crystals. Their stunning shine and color refraction will give volume, tenderness and chic to the manicure.
We hope we managed to inspire you to plunge into the beautiful world of monograms and decorate your fingers with them. We wish you productive creativity and a lot of compliments from grateful viewers!
1 step
Prepare the handles for coating - remove the old coating and manicure procedure.
For better adhesion of gel paints to the surface of the nail, we use Lux primer from the TNL brand.
Materials used:
- TNL, Primer luxe (with brush), 15 ml
2 Step
Cover all nails with TNL rubber base. Next, cover all the nails with a colored coating. In this case, we will use Diamant gel polish from the CC 036 collection. This shade is distinguished by the fact that in the bottle it seems dense, on the nail it is very similar to the stained glass shade and gives the effect of bottle glass. The emerald color plays very beautifully in the sun due to its translucency.
Materials used:
- TNL, Rubber base coat - rubber base (base) for gel polish, 10 ml
- Diamant Gel Polish (CC 036), 7.3 ml
Step 3
After we have covered all the nails with the color coat, we cover the gel polish with the top coat. Let's get to design.
For the design of "Monogram" we need black gel paint. In this master class, we will use the Diamant brand casting gel paint, because casting gel paint, due to its strong stickiness and ability not to spread, can be used not only for casting, but also for other interesting designs.
Materials used:
- Diamant, design gel paint (black), 5 ml
- TNL, Rubber top coat - rubber top coat fixer for gel polish, 10 ml
- Diamant Gel Polish (CC 036), 7.
3 ml
4 Step
To draw the monograms, you will need a fine paint brush. When drawing the monogram, we put the tip with a dot on the nail and begin to round our monogram in the right direction, gradually raising the brush and finally tearing it off near the tip of the monogram so as to get the thinnest "tail".
Materials used:
- Irisk, design brush set, 5 pcs
5 Step
We continue drawing monograms. We decided to place the monograms along the edges of the nail, and add a grid pattern to the center.
6 Step
Draw the central part with the tip of the brush so that the lines are thin and graceful.
7 Step
The lines might not come out too straight, but there's nothing wrong with that, as we're going to sprinkle them for a sandy effect.
8 step
For the design, we decided to mix black acrylic powder and fine white glitter-sand, for the effect of mixing 2 textures and more interesting iridescence and play in the sun.
Materials used:
- Colored acrylic powder set, 18 colors, 2g
- Irisk, sand in a plastic jar (#1), 5 g
9 Step
Mix sand and acrylic powder and mix well with each other. As a spatula for mixing and for sprinkling, it is very convenient to use a pusher, which is in the arsenal of any master.
Materials used:
- Pusher 2-sided for pedicure
10 Step
Sprinkle our design well with the mixture.
Since gel paint does not spread like gel polish, our design remained in its original form. We carefully sprinkle the entire drawing, filling in all the gaps of paint.
11 Step
Curing our design in the lamp. In order not to be afraid for a wet design, it is better to dry it on the maximum timer on your lamp.
Materials used:
- CCFL+Led hybrid lamp (white), 36 W
12 step
After curing in the lamp, remove all excess sand and acrylic from the surface of the nail with a fan brush.
Materials used:
- Irisk, design brush set, 5 pcs
Result
Save it to your wall ;)
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Chinese manicure step by step guide for beginners, Chinese nail designs
Contents
- What is Chinese painting?
- What do you need for work?
- Chinese painting on the nails step by starting
- Ideas for Chinese painting on nails
- Classic Chinese manicure
- manicure with Chinese hieroglyphs
- manicure with the Chinese dragon
A monotonous coating is always in moderation, this is not permissible.
However, when you get tired of the routine and dullness, you want something bright and original. In addition to nail design, Chinese painting on nails can become such a window in the holiday.
This technique is quite difficult to master and you should not expect a wow effect from the first experiments. But when you fill your hand, you can create luxurious compositions on your own nails, and if you wish, please your friends with a stylish manicure.
What is Chinese painting?
Chinese painting is a technique that originated in China many centuries ago. Of course, it was not used in nail art: it was intended for painting on silk, paper and other materials.
The essence of painting in Chinese style is to apply a kind of double strokes, which, in fact, are single. The brush is dipped in two paints on both sides and is drawn over the surface without separation. As a result, the most beautiful color transitions are born, creating a dizzying effect of volume.
Similar techniques were also known in Rus'. In particular, they were widely used in the creation of the famous Zhostovo trays and Gzhel dishes.
To be extremely precise, the actual Chinese technique involves the use of only one flat brush. As mentioned above, she is dipped in two colors that are in harmony in tone. The effect of multicolor and smooth transitions is achieved due to different inclinations, pressing force, changing the trajectory, and so on. The main thing is to draw the element in one stroke.
There are several types of strokes used in this technique:
- Smooth surface. The brush goes in one direction, with uniform pressure.
- Semi-open. The master draws miniature loops in a semicircle.
- Openwork. An exquisite jagged brushstroke that requires an up-and-down movement of the brush.
- Pen. The brush moves up and down, gradually shifting in the right direction.
- Wave. An exquisite technique involving the application of strokes with a twisting of the brush.
- Aqua. This technique is used at the final stage of work to highlight and level out unsuccessful fragments.
Naturally, it is impossible to master the wisdom of "Chinese" from the start, so you definitely shouldn't rush. It is best to practice first on paper, then switch to tips and only then take on the nails. You should not aim at a long-term coating right away: it is better for a novice craftswoman to stop at ordinary varnishes and acrylic paint.
Tips are a plastic imitation of nail plates. They are different, but for training it is best to buy sets of tips on the rings.
Recently, special training cards have appeared on sale, which greatly facilitate the process of mastering Chinese painting. Each stroke is detailed on them, which allows you to feel the smallest movements of the brush.
What do you need to get started?
So, we got acquainted with the theory, there is a desire to create. But in order to start practical exercises, at least elementary tools are needed.
Aspiring Chinese nail artist will need at least:
- Manicure tools and supplies. We are talking about a manicure set (scissors, a nail file, and so on), a cuticle softener, creams and scrubs.
- Varnishes. If you do not have perfectly healthy nail plates, it will not be harmful to acquire a medical base. In addition, you will need a colored varnish for the background and a transparent top that will secure the pattern.
- Paints and tools for working with them. Acrylic paints, a set of brushes, a palette or foil, paper napkins, a glass of water - all this will be needed directly to create art.
Some masters deviate from the canons a little and apply drops of contrasting paint directly on the nail without using a palette. After that, they manipulate the brush in different directions, creating a pattern with gradient transitions.
Several of the positions listed above should be dealt with personally. First of all, the choice of paint is important.
Most craftsmen use water-based acrylic. As a rule, they are sold in tubes or jars in whole sets.
Professional masters prefer tubes of paint, squeezing the right amount directly onto the palette. The fact is that with this approach, the paints constantly remain in perfect consistency, do not dry and do not flow.
Brushes deserve no less attention, because it is very difficult to create a beautiful drawing with a low-quality tool. The main tool of the master is a straight wide brush. However, when working, a beveled brush, a liner, a brush-brush, and so on are often required. It is advisable to purchase all the brushes in the set, since there is no shortage here.
Professionals prefer to work with sable hair brushes, but such a tool is quite expensive. It is quite possible for a beginner to get by with silicone brushes: they are not much worse, but much cheaper.
Chinese painting on nails step by step for beginners
The main theme of Chinese manicure is all sorts of floral and plant motifs and colorful insects.
Consider step by step the technology of creating Chinese painting on the example of a rose flower:
- We carefully process the nails. Even the most skillful painting on sloppy nails will look messy. The cuticle can not be cut, but treated with a special compound and carefully pushed back with an orange stick.
- Apply the base coat. You need to wait for it to dry completely and only then proceed to creativity. If desired, a colorless base can be put under the colored varnish.
- Take a palette and squeeze some paint of two colors onto it. It should match the color scheme of the flower (for example, purple and pink).
- Dip one side of the flat brush in one color, the other in another. After that, you need to make two direct strokes on the palette with both sides so that the colors mix.
- Create a flower. In principle, you can get by with only straight strokes and a “wave”: this is enough to make the flower petals come to life. We work from top to bottom.
- Adding other elements to the bud. One or two sheets are enough. They can be additionally drawn with a liner to add clarity, but you can leave it like that.
- We cover the work with the final coating. This is a prerequisite: a transparent varnish will fix the pattern on the nail, otherwise it will be washed off or erased instantly.
Like the idea? Here are some more luxurious Chinese flowers, this time, tulips:
How do you like this original solution of pansies? The drawing is located on two adjacent nails:
It is unlikely that a beginner nail art master will be able to create two identical flowers at once, not to mention ten. So what? You can not overload the design and draw flowers on only two accent nails - one on each hand.
Chinese Nail Art Ideas
If you've learned how to do Chinese-style nails, you're probably in need of some fresh ideas to apply on your own nails. Fortunately, there are countless of them: nail designers are rightfully proud of their work and do not hide them from the general public.
Classic Chinese manicure
As mentioned above, classical Chinese design involves the use of all kinds of floral motifs, less often - exotic insects, birds and animals. True, some masters create complex compositions in this technique, for example, landscapes.
A distinction should be made between Chinese painting, which involves the use of the aforementioned “double stroke” without lifting the brush, and designs in other techniques. They may contain Chinese themes, but the principle of execution will be completely different.
This is a luxurious jacket with Chinese painting - roses scattered over the nails in a chaotic but harmonious order.
Discreet spring nude delights with tenderness and naturalness.
These fresh violets are alive!
Need an option for a special occasion? Please: hummingbirds, butterflies and luxurious tropical vegetation!
Chinese painting looks great on nails of any length, especially if it harmonizes so deliciously with a matte finish.
The top covering the Chinese painting is always glossy: this gives the effect of depth and three-dimensionality to the pattern. But who said that “Chinese marigolds” cannot be combined with plain matte ones?
Chinese painting can be complemented with other decorative elements, such as rhinestones.
It can be combined with the ombre technique…
And body art:
Manicure with Chinese characters
Nail design with Chinese characters does not belong to the painting technique we have described. However, if you want to bring something from the Middle Kingdom into the mood, why not use this message as well? Moreover, to implement this idea, it is not necessary to master the technique of Chinese painting: a liner and a contrasting varnish are enough!
Absolutely any rings can be matched to the Chinese nail design, but it is better to give preference to an emphatically feminine theme, without excessive massiveness and rough shapes.
