Breyer model horse toys can do something real horses can’t, change color! Not only does your horse get an extreme makeover, but they can also have a lot of fun in the process. Here are some tips on what materials you’ll need and how to do it.
1. Paints: Acrylic paints are highly recommended because they are water-based rather than oil-based, so they dry much faster. You can buy tubes of acrylic paint at most art supply stores. In addition to the colors you want for your horse, you’ll also need to get black and white, which is used for highlights and smaller accents.
2. Brushes – You will need a lot of different sized brushes to paint different areas. To get started, get as many as you can in the 0-5 sable brush range. You will need some that can be dedicated to certain colors, while others can be used for mixing colors.
3. Foam: You will need foam or something similar to mix colors. Some people use cosmetic sponges, while others get by with just their fingertips.
4. Gesso or auto primer: Gesso or auto primer is needed to spray or rub before
frame. This calcareous substance helps the paint adhere better to the horse. Gesso is necessary if you are painting an unpainted model made of resin. Other types of models can do without this step. You can find it at your hobby store in black, white, and gray.
5. Matte Sealer – Just like ordering your images from a developer, you need to choose whether you want a matte or gloss finish. After you paint the horse and let the paint dry, you’ll need to spray it with a matte sealer. If you prefer a glossy look, you can choose a gloss sealer, but most people prefer a matte finish.
6. Photo: It helps a lot to have a photo of the horse you want your Breyer toys to look like. If you can get photos from different angles it will really help with shading and highlighting.
7. Clear Nail Polish: This helps add a finishing touch to make the model horse’s eyes shine.
Now that you’ve gathered all the necessary materials, you can begin the actual process. Before you can start painting, some horse models need preparation. Plastic horses are fine as is, so no pre-treatment is required. However, if your horse is made of resin, porcelain, or ceramic, you will need to pre-treat it by spraying it with a matte finish. This is necessary for the paint to adhere to the slippery surface.
The next step is to start painting. You will need to experiment with mixing colors to achieve the desired color. Start with light colors, then add dark colors, then go back to light colors to finish off the highlights in the muscles. Paint the bottom of the horse first, including the inside of the legs. Allow the paint to dry there before continuing. Set the color for the top of the horse and paint there. Again start with lighter colors before moving on to darker colors. Allow the paint to dry before applying the next darker color. Use a piece of foam or sponge to blend and blend the top color with the bottom color. Finish with lighter colors for highlights and the horse’s unique markings. For the eyeballs and nostrils, it’s easier and more realistic to paint them black. After the paint has dried, applying clear nail polish will help them shine. After all the paint and nail polish has dried, spray with a matte finish to protect the paint. That’s all it takes to give Breyer Horse toys an extreme makeover!