Wicked nail art step-by-step – how to paint Elphaba

Apply white gel polish to the entire nail and cure. Apply matte gel polish top coat to create a smooth, non-slippery surface for sketching and cure. Using a reference grid for proportion and extremely fine brush and brown gel paint, lightly sketch the outline of Elphaba following your reference image. If you're worried about smudging the design, flash cure as you go. When the sketch is complete, cure it fully. Apply matte top coat and cure. This will make the surface easier to paint on and control colour placement during later steps.

Begin adding gel paint colour to Elphaba's face, applying light and shadow areas in patches. Do not cure. Work in sections, starting with the eyes then moving outwards. At this stage, focus on colour placement only; do not blend.

Using a clean micro-brush, carefully gently pat along the edges where colours meet to create soft transitions, and cure. Clean the brush frequently to remove excess product and prevent muddying.

Continue the process detailed in the previous steps for the cheeks, nose and mouth, applying and blending colours gradually. Maintain balance and symmetry in the face to preserve the likeness of your reference.

Paint finer details such as eyelashes, defined eyebrows and subtle highlights within the eyes using gel paint. These elements bring the portrait to life. Flash cure when needed and once the facial details are complete, fully cure.

Using the wet-on-wet painting technique, create Elphaba's hair, clothing and hat. Work in sections to maintain control over the blending. When satisfied with the look, cure.

Apply a light blue gel polish background around the portrait to enhance contrast, and cure. This also allows you to define Elphaba's profile.

Apply a glossy gel polish top coat to seal the design and smooth out the blending, giving the artwork a polished finish. Cure.