A Simple Nail Art Design – A Step-By-Step Tutorial

Level up your manicure and nail art game with the easy-to-follow guide.

Reviewed by Gabrielle Richens, Skin Therapist Gabrielle Richens Gabrielle RichensSkin Therapist facebook_iconinsta_icon
Written by , BE Jyotsana Rao BE linkedin_icon Experience: 4 years
Edited by , BSc Shatabdi Bhattacharya BSc linkedin_icon Experience: 2.5 years
Fact-checked by , MA (Mass Communication & Journalism) Joyce Joyson MA (Mass Communication & Journalism) linkedin_icon
Last Updated on

A good nail art design can instantly amp up your manicure. Women and girls of all ages love nail art. Experimenting with different nail colors and designs is a great way to sport attractive nails.

protip_icon Keep In Mind
  • Design: Design Choose a design as per occasion, outfit, makeup, or ongoing trends.For formal occasions, for nudes and pinks with subtle designs. Mix and match the nail art as per your outfit color and theme.
  • Preparation: Design Make sure to clean and buff your nails to get rid of the uneven nail surface and smoothen out the ridges.
  • Aftercare: Design Use cuticle oil, hand creams, and sunscreen to protect your nails and hands.
  • DIY: Design Create your own nail stickers by painting a design onto a plastic bag and letting it dry completely. Once dry, peel the design off the plastic bag and apply it on your nails.

There are various nail arts available for different looks. From simple, elegant designs to playful, funky ones, nail art is for all. There is nail art for all lengths of nails — short, medium, or long. In addition, there are several easy nail art designs that you could do by yourself at home without prior expertise.

In this article, we have mentioned one design with a step-by-step tutorial for nail sculpting to help you design short nails. It is the colorful comic pop art tutorial, which is absolutely doable in the comfort of your home. You will just need a few basic nail colors, a topcoat, and some patience for the ultimate nail decoration process!

Comic pop nail art tutorial

protip_icon Trivia
It is believed that the first actual nail art was from the Inca Empire (1438-1533) in South America. They decorated their nails by painting eagles on them.

Products You Will Need

  • A base coat to form the first coat on your nails
  • A top coat to apply over the base coat
  • Different and bright coloured nail polishes of your choice
  • Black and white acrylic paints or nail varnishes
  • Nail art brushes or a thin brush to create nail art designs.

Products you will need for nail art

Remember: Acrylic paints will become long-lasting and waterproof when you apply a top coat

Stepwise Procedure

Step 1

Apply a base coat

protip_icon Quick Tip
Ensure the basecoat dries completely before applying the nail polish. However, some base coat may have a tacky texture even if it dries. But, it will help the nail polish to stay without chipping.

Step 2

Now apply two coats of each different colored nail polish on your nails.

Step 3

Let them dry completely.

Step 4

Apply a layer of quick dry topcoat as this will help in removing the acrylic paint without disturbing the nail color.

Step 5

Take a white acrylic color and mix some water in it.

Step 6

With this mix, draw some spikes on your nails (this is marked as step 2 in the below picture. Fill in the spikes as shown in step 3.)

Step 7

Finally, use a thin brush to outline the spikes with a black nail color (marked in the image as step 4.)

Step 7 of comic pop nail art tutorial

Step 8

Follow this pattern on all your nails. You can be as creative as you can and create different designs too. Here is how it will look once you have created and filled in the spikes:

Step 8 of comic pop nail art tutorial

Step 9

Now write some pop words inside the explosions like BOOM! WAH, BANG, Ka-Pow, CRASH! Of course you can write any words of your choice.

Step 9 of comic pop nail art tutorial

Step 10

Randomly place small white acrylic dots in the remaining area.

Step 11

Do the clean up around the nails using water or a nail polish remover.

Step 11 of comic pop nail art tutorial

Step 12

Next, apply a layer of top coat.

Step 12 of comic pop nail art tutorial

And Voila now you have a funky and attractive nail design for short nails! Here is how it looks! Don’t forget to explore more nail designs for short nails to understand that when it comes to nail art, the sky’s the limit. Hope you will surely try this nail art design and don’t forget to tell us all about it. You can also add nail embellishments or nail stickers to accentuate the look. Nail stamping using fun stamps and adding over nail rhinestones might also give the nails a unique classy look!

Zey, a lifestyle blogger, shares the best way to remove nail paint off the skin from her own experience: “I find that when I try to clean up around the edges of my nail, the Q-tip just ends up removing some of the polish off my nail, too. Instead, take a shower. That will take the nail polish off your skin without removing it from your nails (i).”

Nail art is popular among girls and women of all ages. There are multiple nail art types, including acrylic nails, gel nails and more, topped with nail accessories for the most stunning looks! The right nail art design can take your simple manicure to the next level. With the wide range of nail art designs available today, whether you are a learner or a pro, you can experiment away to your heart’s glory. Don’t be afraid to try new designs and express your unique style through your nails. If you thought your nail length was going to be a problem, don’t worry. There are different kinds of nail art suitable for every nail length out there. What’s more, with the right products and our detailed tutorial, you can easily create innovative nail art at home without the need of a nail technician or going to a nail salon.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does nail art last?

Nail art normally stays for as long as 2 weeks. However, it depends on the type of paint you choose and how well you maintain it. To maintain longevity, try nail shaping every few days.

Is nail art good for nails?

Yes, nail art or nail painting is a great way to decorate your nails and add a punch of fun. It can add stunning grace and beauty to your hands and make you look more confident and stylish.

Can nail art damage nails?

No, Acrylic paints do not damage your nails, but using the paint excessively or for long periods, rubbing nails, and scraping paint vigorously may lead to damage to nails and cuticles. So, allow your nails to be free of paint occasionally and practice effective nail care.

How do I choose the right colors for my nail art design?

Any color is fine for nail paint. However, for special occasions, you may want to match it with your dress or accessories, skin tone, or lip shade. For a casual bold look, you may try nail artistry using yellow, coral, bright red, or even black and white. When in doubt, you can play it safe with a nude shade, some nail glitter, or pink tints.

Key Takeaways

  • A simple nail art design featuring comic pop art can amp up your nail game.
  • You will need to keep handy some brushes of different sizes to create nail art designs.
  • Make sure that the base coat color does not clash with the other nail colors to prevent your nails from looking weird and tacky.

Illustration: A Simple Nail Art Design: A Step-By-Step Tutorial

nail art design

Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

Check out this video compilation of 10 easy nail art designs! Get creative and find the perfect design that matches your vibe.

Personal Experience: Source

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Gabrielle Richens
Gabrielle RichensSkin Therapist
Gabrielle Richens spent 20 years as a model with Elite Model Management. She is now a skin therapist, clean beauty blogger, and founder of The Rich Skin Club, an online anti-aging coaching service. She helps women understand the aging process and how to build routines that reverse the visible signs of premature aging.

Read full bio of Gabrielle Richens
Jyotsana Rao
Jyotsana RaoBeauty & Lifestyle Writer
Jyotsana Rao is an engineering graduate from NIT, Nagpur, who discovered her love for writing during her undergraduate days. She is passionate about writing about everything related to beauty - makeup, fashion, hairstyles, skin care, or hair care and has 4 years of experience on writing in these genres.

Read full bio of Jyotsana Rao
Shatabdi Bhattacharya
Shatabdi BhattacharyaAssociate Editor
Shatabdi is an associate editor and an alumnus of Lady Brabourne College, Kolkata, where she honed her skills and developed a deep understanding of the world of literature and expression. She has worked with various organizations and websites operating in different industries, ranging from education to lifestyle, showing her adaptability and drive to learn.

Read full bio of Shatabdi Bhattacharya
Joyce Joyson
Joyce JoysonBeauty & Lifestyle Writer
Joyce Joyson is a beauty and lifestyle writer with over a year of experience crafting short-form content for the beauty, fashion, and lifestyle niches. She has a triple majors bachelor’s degree in History, Political Science, and Geography from IIS University and a master’s degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from Kristu Jayanti College.

Read full bio of Joyce Joyson