In picture 1: I get an overall image of the finished design in my HEAD before I pick up the brush. This diagram shows outlines of the elephant which is entirely made from various sizes of circles. I study very carefully each of these circles in the picture I've cut out of a magazine of the elephant.

In picture 2: Placing my picture only an inch from my client's finger, I start at the bottom so that the elephant's truck is to be included on the nail (and not run off at the end). Follow the basic OUTLINE of the picture only. Do not worry about details just yet.

In picture 3: I finish outlining the elephant's head and ears.

In picture 4: I fill in the outline of the black by using a combination of flesh tones and white to achieve highlighted areas on the forehead and the knot in the trunk. This helps give the elephant a 3-D look.

In picture 5: I add some details (lines in black) on the knot and on the bottoms of the ears, outline the insides of the ears, add some hair on top of his head, and two ovals for the outlines of the elephant's eyes.

In picture 6: Using white, I carefully paint inside the black eyes.

In picture 7: I continue to add highlighted areas with diluted white paint to areas that I believe would protrude for a rounded (not flat) look.

In picture 8: I dot the centers of my elephant's eyes with black. This literally takes 3 seconds to do and brings the animal to "life".

The only thing left now is to allow the paint to dry COMPLETELY, then generously top coat with a clear sealer.

Total time taken to achieve this design: 12 minutes.

GOOD LUCK!
Gina Wallace

Acknowledged in the Newspaper

The Aquatic Costume
I airbrushed this white bed sheet with the SAME images as were presented on the sea creatures that I hand painted onto Paula's nails. The sheet cost me $5. Making the templates and airbrushing it took about 10 HOURS to do! Still, it was a fun effort and scored high points for originality.
Model: Paula

NATIONAL NAIL ART COMPETITION WINNER
FIRST PLACE
1998

Sample nails I did prior to competition. These are close ups of the nails I did in competition.

A Modeling Theme These nails were all different lengths (check out her pinkies!) They were also in the shapes of jig-saw puzzles so that each nail fit into the other one. This effort was ENTIRELY hand painted. Model: Kristi Joseph

Costume and Nail Art Kristi is getting rather tired now because she isn't allowed to leave the competition area until she is judged. We waited 2 hours to be judged that day. Model: Kristi

The Table Setup I had the table set up with a photographer's umbrella, lights, and a mini camera. The song, "Girls on Film" was playing softly in the background. Kristi struck sultry poses while being judged. Here, we're still waiting to be judged. Model: Kristi

Gina's Other Competition Wins and Achievements The Winning Nails These nails were decorated in 20 minutes! All hand-painted. The category was "French Manicure Surprise", done aboard the Carnival Cruise Liner. Model: Tracy Cruise Model Tracy and I On the "Nail Those Profits at Sea" Cruise, hosted by Vicki Peters. My model and I proudly display the winner's trophy. Model: Tracy The Category Winners Pictured are all the winners in the different categories, along with the host of the cruise, Vicki Peters! (Gina is 2nd from the right.) Huddled Close 153 Nail Techs from all over the world gather in Florida for an ultimate Caribbean Cruise. I flew from North Yorkshire, England to join them but there was one tech from Jamaica! Vicki Peters, Sheryl Macauley and Anita Lime Gina with Carol Corner Carol was a client of mine for years, until one day she decided to be a nail tech, too! Now she has THE FINEST salon in Harrogate, England! Kudos to Carol.   To View Gina's Other Achievements READ HER BIOGRAPHY Gina Wallace Enterprises, Inc., Essential Nails, USA will be happy to assist!