Custom Breyer Horse- Cherry Bay

This lovely guy now belongs to Kaitlyn in Michigan! Kaitlyn requested I paint a cherry bay with a snip and 4 white socks. His coloring was modeled after this horse. Enjoy!

His details include: Hoof striping, painted horseshoes, and 4 layers of shading in airbrushed acrylics. Want your own model? Please feel free to contact me!

If you want to know what goes into my customs, please read my previous blog post HERE
Models start at around $65!!

Custom Breyer- Meet Ike

Ike is a thoroughbred the belongs to Tiffany in Pasadena, California!

I had so much fun airbrushing this fella. I also added metal horseshoes, and he's got a bit of gold sheen to his coat.

Please check out my previous blog about what goes into my model customs HERE

Airbrushed Breyer Model

I got a new toy....an airbrush gun.

It took a few trys before I finally got the hang of it, but it was well worth the money and time! Take a look at my work in progress. Ike was a dun, but is now sporting a dark bay coat.

I can't tell you how smooth and multifaceted the color is on him! I used a combo of red oxide, black, and burnt umber. I also mixed in a splash of gold paint with the red oxide and umber which really gives him a nice sheen. Not to mention airbrushing has saved me hours of work.

I will paint the little white facial and leg details by hand with acrylic and post final photos soon!

Custom Breyer Horses- Chic and Mystic

As a Manassas artist, I dabble in all kinds of things to help keep me creative. Customizing Breyer model horses started out as a hobby, but I've found there's somewhat of a demand for it, and lucky me I am always happy to re-create that special equine friend on a Breyer model.

Meet Chic and Mystic. Chic is related to Smart Chic Olena, and I had a lot of fun recreating this gorgeous stallion. I will be doing another custom of him on the Olena mold, and I'll post when that's done!

To see what goes into my customs, please read one of my previous blog posts here: http://ofnaturedesignsjewelry.blogspot.com/2008/10/latest-breyer-creation.html

Latest Custom Breyer Creation

Meet "Easy".

Unfortunately, alot of my customs are in memory of a dear equine friend. I feel honored whenever I am asked to recreate someone's precious pal so they can have a lasting image of them.

Curious to know what goes into my custom breyers? I wrote a whole blog about it-- check it out: http://ofnaturedesignsjewelry.blogspot.com/2008/10/latest-breyer-creation.html

If you are interested in purchasing a custom painted Breyer horse to look just like YOUR horse, please visit my etsy site at: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5290743&section_id=5273173

Latest Breyer Creation

This lovely paint comes from Texas. I also wanted to take the time to discuss what goes into my creations.

1. Carving Process- I use a dremel tool to carve out the horses ears, hooves, and nostrils, but I have found numerous uses for this tool. It was a great investment and I suggest it for anyone going into the hobby.

2. Removing Seams- For large seams I use the dremel first, then take fine grade sandpapers to smooth out the logo and extra seam.

*Making the horse anatomically correct. I use an epoxy that is two parts that you have to mix together. This is nice because I only use what I need. I also can smooth it out with water and you can't even tell it wasn't apart of the original mold in the first place. "What epoxy do you use?" shhhh my secret!

3. Painting- Every hobbyist has different ways of painting their breyer. Some remove all previous paint and start with a clean slate. Some primer the model. I just paint over the existing paint with acrylics. I work sections at a time. I know some have used pastels over acrylics--
I have found that I am comfortable using acrylics so that's all I use. Sometimes I will mix pearl pigment into the paint to give the coat shine.

4. The Details- these are key to a realistic horse. I use a fine brush to add mane and tail hairs against skin. I make sure the eyes aren't just black, and the hooves have realistic striping and coloration.

5. Varnishing- I spray a layer of matte varnish first, allow to dry, then use a fixative over top of that. "Why fixative?" Because I've found it's a good balance between glossy and matte finish. Also, matte finish tends to leave a chalky white residue on dark horses.

6. Glossing- I find that glossed eyes really give the horse "life". I have used glass paint gloss, hodge podge, and even clear nail polish. I gloss the eyes, hooves, nostrils, and corners of the lips.

That's about it! I really enjoy doing custom horses and hope someday I can do many many more!! It's an expensive hobby to do right, but it is well worth it when you finish the piece. It also takes alot of time and practice. I have at least 3 not so great horses in my herd, but they are special because each one was a learning experience!!