Nail art isn’t just for teenagers. It really isn’t. I mean, there’s certainly lots out there for teenagers who like to dabble with stick on Swarovski crystals and peel off transfers, but us? We like a, dare we say, more cultural approach to nail effects.

With that in mind (and to celebrate Henri Matisse: The Cut-Outs, which opens at the Tate Modern today) we’ve been dabbling in a spot of our own modern art homage here in the office. In the interests of transparency we didn't do this entirely on our own - we were lucky enough to enlist Jessica Hoffman, Sally Hansen Nail Expert and Manicurist and all round backstage nail art maven, to help us create three simple, but very definitely Matisse-inspired, looks that you can DIY at home.

The palette is all important here. Cerulean blue, an almost translucent milky white, heathery lilac and burnt umber yellow will align your paint job with Matisse’s 'paintings with scissors' faster than you can say 'Turbine Hall'.

Don’t believe us? Look below to see how easy it can be to turn your hands into miniature works of art. 

 

On Kelly, deputy editor, Jessica recreated Blue Nude I using Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Pink Slip, £6.99, and Avon Gel Finish Nail Enamel in Royal Vendetta, £3.50.

Blue Nude (I) 1952, Henri Matisse (1869 -1964), Gouache painted paper cut-outs on paper on canvas 106.30 x 78.00cm, Foundation Beyeler, Riehen/Basel, Digital image: Robert Bayer, Basel, Artwork: © Succession Henri Matisse/DACS 2014

 

On Daisy, designer, Jessica recreated The Snail using Topshop Nails in Wide Awake (base), £5, Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Mojito, Blue Streak, All Fired Up and Purple Heart, £6.99 each, Revlon Parfumerie Nail Enamel in Espresso, £6.49,  and Nailberry Polish in Fashionista, £13.50.

The Snail 1953, Henri Matisse (1869 -1964), Gouache on paper, cut and pasted on paper mounted to canvas Tate Digital image: © Tate Photography, Artwork: © Succession Henri Matisse/DACS 2014

 

On Ellie, beauty intern, Jessica recreated Icarus using Kure Bazaar Nail Polish in Mon Bleu (base), £14.95, Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Midnight in NY and Red Handed, £6.99 each, and Sally Hansen Nail Art Pen in White, £6.99

Icarus 1946, Henri Matisse (1869 -1964), Maquette for plate VIII of the illustrated book Jazz 1947, Digital image: © Centre Pompidou, MNAM-CCI, Dist. RMN-Grand Palais / Jean-Claude Planchet, Artwork: © Succession Henri Matisse/DACS 2014