31DC2013 - Day 28: Inspired by a Flag? Pirates!

Today's theme was doing my head in in a seriously annoying way - I mean, flags are meaningful and I wasn't willing to pick my country's own flag, let alone anyone else's!

And then it hit me! There all sorts of flags, right? Why does it have to be a national flag?
So... my mind took me to the good ol' pirates flag and I'm glad it did! I  had a lot of fun doing this one and it's certainly one I'm proud of :))

I can almost say for sure I didn't see that one and a half hour pass me by - hahaha
Mind you I didn't portray a pirate's flag on my nails - rather taking the concept and using it for a skittle mani.
Warning: heavy pic post!  ;)

Arr, matey, do ye need more polish? :))

This baby was my first skull ever!

I had never drawn one or painted one or anything the sort and picked this one for orientation!

It's not perfect but I still love the bugger ;)

Especially the little blood spats on forehead and teeth - you can tell this was a mighty dangerous pirate, arr!!

Can you guess what the rest of the elements are? ;)

I know there's no flag depicted but 'inspired by' does not mean 'look alike', does it?

This one you can also see in the skull picture and believe me when I say it looks best in person that photographed. I wanted the background colour with that treasure map feeling to it and although not perfect it's still acceptable ;)

Of course one of my nails had to depict The Kraken! I looked at this picture to help me a bit.

I like how Î managed the tentacles to come out of the wave like that - not that bad for someone who has no sense of space or proportion, hey? ;)

Now, the ship was a hassle to do :(

And if you pay careful attention you'll see these isn't more than a sketchy ship, actually.
I had to redo this nail four times and managed this only on my fifth attempt! Phew!

And finally my favourite - I love this little bottle, which can be whatever you want: poison, rum, message in a bottle.

I love how I managed the cartoony effect and I'm even more proud that this is all my doing - didn't take me no inspiration picture to paint this baby *happy, happy, happy*

My favourite part? I ain't ruining anyone's national pride ;)

And I must have made some pirates somewhere happy - I hope :)

From afar it all looks neat and I'd say all nails blend naturally together, wouldn't you?

I decided on leaving it with a matte - I think it wouldn't be as fun with a shiny finish ;)

Let me know what you think in the comment section and hope the weather's playing nicely around your place - I had to make a run for photos during one of the few occasions when it wasn't pouring ;)

Hugs & Kissies,

Mina *