Custom Breyer Horse- King

Meet King! Let me just tell you, I had my work cut out for me on this one. I know his coat pattern looks simple, but that wasn't the issue. It was his mane. King's one of those quirky horses that has mane on both sides. Well this breyer model had the majority of the mane on the wrong side. So I had to use my hand dandy dremel tool to take off most of the mane. I then used modeling expoxy to smooth it out, then sand, and prime and sand and prime and sand....and prime, until it was smooth and matched with his body. I then took epoxy and recreated his mane on the correct side.

What do you think?

These kinds of small details are why I have a job doing custom models. Not to mention, king has a "wild eye". His right eye has the whites showing, where his left eye doesn't. :-)

If you want your own custom, please contact me!

I'm Still Alive!

I know I've neglected my blogging, but it doesn't mean I haven't been busy! Here are some custom model horses I've recently completed.

Meet Flower! I added real metal horseshoes to this model.

Meet Rosie! The dappling on her provided a challenge...

Meet Classy and Hottie!

Meet Burly! I had to add a lot of mane and tail to this Belgian.

I am working on many other models this Christmas season and will update you soon. :-) If you are interested in gettign a custom done, I am affordable and can be emailed at kcampbellartist@hotmail.com

Meet Montana - Black and White Paint Custom Breyer Horse

Montana is a gorgeous paint with roan markings on some of her patches.

My favorite part of her was the fact she has white eyelashes on her right eye.

When doing my customs, first I sand and prime the model.

Then I airbrush the base coat (in this case white).

I then handpaint any special markings in acrylics.

Then varnish the model with numerous layers.

Interested in a custom model? Please go to my website for contact information.

Red Roan Appaloosa Custom Breyer Horse

LOVE how this guy came out. I am not sure what his name is, but to me it looks like it should be "Wildfire" or something like that :-) He belongs to Julia in Georgia.

He is painted on the Mon Gamin Breyer model. His body was airbrushed in acrylic and all his details/spots are painted by hand. :-)

Here's a little horse painting secret- To get the vibrant red brown I use Liquitex Basics "Red Oxide".

I also painted horseshoes on this guy, he's such a stud! Well-- a gelding *wink*

Do you have a horse you would like turned into a custom model? Please email me for a price list at kcampbellartist@hotmail.com
Models start at $65

Meet Jack

This gorgeous appaloosa belongs in Rachael in Maryland. I had alot of fun with this guy. It was definitely a challenge to try placing all the spots according to the body movement of the model.
I can't tell you enough how thankful I am for my airbrush gun! The time it saves me in painting the initial basecoat of the model was well worth the investment.

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

Custom Breyer Model- Spark

Meet Spark!

She is a Quarter Horse who's home is in Weatherford, Texas! I've done a previous model for her owners which won "World Champion" in the PtHA model horse show.
I hope she does just as well.

What goes into my customs?

Minor resculpting, carved hooves ears and nostrils, sanding, logo removal, seam removal, airbrushing, painting details with acrylics, glossing hooves, nostrils, and eyes, and varnishing.
This little gal even has realistic metal horseshoes!
Lots of love and work goes into each model, but I love doing it! To see more of my customs, please visit my website at: http://www.kellycampbellartist.com/custombreyer.html

Get your own custom model horse for $65-100!

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 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!!

Meet my "World Champion"

I am happy to say that one of my most recent customs acheived the title "World Champion" in the PtHA Model Horse Show.

I can only hope I have more opportunities to create live show quality models for other people interested in model horse shows!

Here are some photos of the champion.

I will be posting a blog soon on the progress of customizing a model.