Okay Teri,
Here is lesson four in the series:

There is a simple and effective way to 'install' fingernails on a small hand. Rather than carve realistic nails which can be almost impossible.

After you have the fingers completed, use a micro gouge (that is wider than the finger) to scoop out a small chip where the fingernail will be. It souldn't be very deep, and just wide enough to fit the finger.

The idea is to create a reflection instead of an actual nail.
Often it is better to suggest detail than to actually carve it.

On figures without shoes, I often carve the big toenail using a shallow gouge (of the correct size) upside-down and pushing it into the front of the big toe, which creates a nice toenail.
Then I use the scooped fingernail approach on the four smaller toes.

[Callynne]

To do fingernails I first draw them on with a sharp pencil (just to make sure I have the size right for the finger size), then I use my smallest micro V gouge, cut straight down each side and then do the little curved part between the two straight lines. Using my smallest Dave Lyons detail knife (love that knife) I just shave a tiny bit of the 'nail' away. Like you mentioned Rick, it's more an illusion or reflection.
I've lost a few fingertips (and toes) when I first started out and this method works the best for me.
To paint them I use a tiny bit of pink mixed in with the flesh color I'm using. Of course, ladies get 'french manicures', I tip the nails with a fine white line. Hope this helps somebody! Callynne

Of course it helps....as soon as I get those fingers to actually LOOK like fingers, I'll move on to the fingernails!

I'm just hopeless with hands.

Teri

[don]

Teri It's cold out there, Santa needs mittens!

Yup, Don, and thank heavens for that! LOL

Ter

I use a Dremmel for fingers and nail. I use a T shaped blur.
Doel