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Here is the list of required tools to start on your customizing journey .
These are my recommended brands and products. The lists are complete of what you need and what is optional. WHAT IS MODEL HORSE CUSTOMIZING?
Model horse customizing is the act of repositioning, re-sculpting and/or repainting a Breyer model or other type of manufactured model horse. These can be collected, sold and promoted by the artist, but NOT replicated. This makes the artwork done on Breyer or other models, one of a kind. Breyer and Stone support customizing of their models and encourage artists to produce tutorial, word of mouth and community. It is not considered copyright infringement so long as the models are not being replicated or cast for sale. It is a popular method of learning to sculpt and craft horses being that the original models are accessible, affordable and abundant. _________________________________________________________________________________ MODEL HORSE BRANDS BREYER: www.breyerhorses.com/ a plastic model horse toy brand, based out of the USA but manufactured in China. With a focus on model horses, they mass produce for retailers across the globe. Their models are sculpted by contracted artists, made into injection molds for plastic casting and hand painted to lifelike likeness of horse breeds, portraits and replicas. This is the most popular model for customizing due to affordability, accessibility and realism as a base. STONE HORSE: stonehorses.com/ a plastic model horse brand designed for collectors, that is produced in limited quantities for online and factory sale directly out of the USA. SCHLEICH: https://ca.schleich-s.com/collections/horses a popular European toy brand that is mass produced for retailers across the globe. They craft all kind of animal replicas that includes an extensive line of horses. _________________________________________________________________________________ ARTIST RESIN MODEL HORSES Artists will sculpt their own original model horses on a wire armature. These are then molded in silicon with a 2-3 part mold and cast in urethane resin for sale. Editions can be large or limited, usually 20-200 copies per sculpture. These models are highly detailed and purchased by collectors to be painted, sold, or shown. Some artists will slightly customize attributes of a resin model, but usually they are left as is. The industry directly supports the artist and promoted traditional hand made methods of casting. These models are not for play and are often quite expensive to purchase. They can be found online directly from the artists, promoted on other sale websites and social media. _________________________________________________________________________________ DATA BASES Find a list of molds, artists and makes of different model horses online. IDENTIFY YOUR BREYER: www.identifyyourbreyer.com/index.html STONE HORSE REF: www.stonehorseref.com/ EQUINE RESIN DIRECTORY: www.equineresindirectory.com/ RESIN HORSE EDITIONS: resinhorseeditions.blogspot.com/ _________________________________________________________________________________ TERMINOLOGY You may find a plethora of slang in the model horse community, here are some to know. AR | Artist Resin: a plastic model model horse artwork, produced by an artist OF | Original Finish: the original paintwork on manufactured model CM | Custom: Changes made to the mold or paintwork of a manufactured model Simple Custom: minor/no changes to the original mold Drastic Custom: dramatic changes to the original mold, often unrecognizable NIB | New in Box: a model that is in the original packaging LSQ | Live Show Quality: a model that is without flaws and ideal for showing PSQ | Photo Show Quality: a model with some flaws, suited for photo showing Body: a damaged or imperfect model, good for customizing, usually discounted _________________________________________________________________________________ SCALE 1:9 | Breyer Traditional / Stone 1:12 | Breyer Classic 1: 18 | Breyer Collect A | Breyer Paddock Pals | Schleich 1: 20 | Artist Resin Venti | Stone Pebble 1:32 | Breyer Stablemate | Stone Chip 1:64 | Breyer Mini Whinnie | Micro Minis _________________________________________________________________________________ PROPERTIES Breyers made of Cellulose Acetate. This plastic is detailed, rigid, durable, easily cut, sanded and primed. It is also very malleable when heated. This makes customizing super easy. Models can be moved using a heat gun or boiling water. Because of the heating properties of this plastic, it is important to include an airhole in hollow cast models to avoid shrinking and bloating in varying temperatures/climates. HOLLOW CAST: Model is hollow inside and requires an airhole, usually traditional and classic scale models. SOLID CAST: Model is solid all the way through, no airhole required, usually smaller scales RESIN: Model is either hollow cast with an airhole or solid cast. Legs are reinforced with wires to avoid warping. Resin is softer, holds more details and is easier to sand. Aerosol primer adheres well. Resin is more durable than one would think. PEWTER: Some Micro Minis can be cast in Pewter for weight and durability at a small scale. They are easily sanded and primed. They can be lightly bent back to shape. RIGID PLASTIC: Hard plastic is more desirable for customizing. Easy to cut, sand, heat. Provides a bondable base for clay and primer. FLEXIBLE PLASTIC: Models such as Collect A, Schleich, Mini Whinnies, are less desirable for customizing and require special care for sculpting and priming. Most aerosol primers will not bond properly and remain tacky to the touch. Using Gesso or other mediums is required. Too much bend in the plastic can cause clay, paint and sealer to crack. _________________________________________________________________________________ WHERE TO BUY MODEL HORSES
You can purchase Breyer model horses new online, in boutique toy shops, select farm & feed stores, and online from sellers in virtual marketplaces.
CHECK YOUR SELLERS Model Horse Transaction Board www.facebook.com/share/g/8aqyd8GKcn2NqhMr/ _________________________________________________________________________________
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MODEL HORSE CUSTOMIZING TOOLS SHOPPING LIST:
DREMEL FOR SANDING
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DIFFERENT KINDS OF CLAY AIR DRY CLAY: a clay that air dries over time. This clay can be brittle, is prone to cracking & shrinkage. It is not ideal for Breyer customizing. POLYMER CLAY: A plastic-like clay used for original sculpture and charms. It remains workable until baked to cure. Armatures must be made of wire and tin foil, oven safe materials. It can not be used for Breyer customizing directly onto a plastic model. COSCLAY: A type of polymer that bakes to a cure with flexible properties. It is good for fragile pieces on a sculpture. OIL CLAY: A clay that becomes workable when heated, and hardens when cooled. It never cures. It is good for Original sculptures and practicing. You can reuse this clay over and over. EPOXY PUTTY: A two part resin based clay that once mixed has a working time of up to 2 hours before curing. It air dries, sandable, waterproof, permanent and does not shrink/crack. This is the best clay for model horse customizing! FREE FORM AIR: An epoxy putty that cures to a super lightweight solid
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MODEL HORSE SCULPTING SHOPPING LIST
SCULPTING WITH APOXIE
Use 2 Part Epoxy putty to customize your Breyer Model Horses. You must use this kind of clay, air dry, oil, and polymer clays will not work. _________________________________________________________________________________ 1. CLAY Breyer Customizing or sculpture requires two-part Epoxy putty. APOXIE SCULPT Natural OR MAGIC SCULPT Natural Apoxie 1lb : https://amzn.to/3MdY6ta Apoxie 5lb : amzn.to/3AJ2hun Magic Sculpt 1lb : amzn.to/4draceq Magic Sculpt 5lb : amzn.to/3XdeJvk _________________________________________________________________________________ 2. BRUSHES Use cheap, soft, brushes. These build up with clay and need to be disposable SYNTHETIC BRUSHES : amzn.to/4fPKLop _________________________________________________________________________________ 3. TOOLS These are my go-to tools, the only handful you should need CLAY SHAPER TOOLS Royal Sovereign is my favourite brand, they are high quality and strong. These eventually break down over time. You can get cheap sets on Amazon, but the quality is hit or miss. Size 0 is my go-to, but size 2 can also be useful. Extra firm is best for Epoxy clay. Taper Point is most useful. Colour Shaper Size 0 Taper Point Extra Firm : amzn.to/3Xam2nB Colour Shaper Size 0 Taper Point Firm : amzn.to/4dvPquh Cheap Amazon Set : amzn.to/3AzFQrA METAL TOOLS Metal tools are most effective and easy to clean. The Large spoons are good for texturing manes & tails. METAL SPOON TOOL SET : amzn.to/3AJ9evt DETAIL METAL TOOLS : amzn.to/3WXvPMB GUM STIMULATOR WITH TIPS : https://amzn.to/3T2c1Gv This is the best tool for sculpting tiny details. The tips are replaceable. CALIPERS : amzn.to/4czTYyj Use a pair of calipers for measuring your work. These can be purchased on their own or found in a simple geometry set. 2 SPOONS Label two spoons for part A & part B to better retrieve the clay out of the containers. Go to your local thrift store! SET OF 6 SPOONS : amzn.to/473lOBZ _________________________________________________________________________________ 4. SMOOTHING AGENT & SURFACE PREP Use water or isopropyl alcohol to smooth the clay. 99% is strongest. ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL 99% : amzn.to/3Xagjhs Use a small container to hold the alcohol for dipping tools and your fingers. I like to use the Sistema ToGo cups, but a fluid pump also works really well. SISTEMA TO GO : amzn.to/3SX0NTE FLUID PUMP : amzn.to/3SXgmuC JAR FOR WATER : Use a jar to keep water on hand! You will need to wipe off your toll of excess clay/isopropyl as you work. Use Scott Blue Shop Towels. These are durable and lint free. Fold into 4 and use each side until saturated. You can use normal paper towel as well if that is all you have. SCOTT SHOP TOWELS : amzn.to/3WVgbkP PLASTIC LID : Use a plastic lid off a yogurt or similar food container for clay while you work, this prevents it from sticking to your desk surface and damaging it. _________________________________________________________________________________ 5. GLOVES Gloves are optional. Note that you may develop an allergy to this clay in which you will be forced to wear gloves. I risk it because I like to use my fingers when I sculpt. If you use them, pick the right size so they are as tight to your fingers as possible. NITRILE GLOVES : amzn.to/3MeBlVX _________________________________________________________________________________ 6. OTHER TOOLS AND CLEANUP If you are working off a touch screen device for references or need to send a message. Get a touch stylus so you do not touch the device. This clay will ruin clothing and anything it comes in contact with as it cures to a solid. IPHONE STYLUS : amzn.to/3SUJLFK Use a scrub brush, warm water and soap to clean up your fingers when done sculpting. I like Dawn Dish Soap. DAWN DISH SOAP : amzn.to/46XAC58 SCRUB BRUSH : amzn.to/46ZURPM _________________________________________________________________________________
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SCULPTING WITH FREE FORM AIR Valuable in original sculpture work or filling large areas of your Breyer custom, Free Form air works like Apoxie but dries to a super lightweight solid. It easily sands and holds a rigid shape for sculpting details ontop. Keeping weight down is important. THIS CLAY MUST BE USED WITH GLOVES & A RESPIRATOR Use in a well ventilated area, it has a very strong odor. FAST VARIANT Use the Fast version for quicker results. I personally use this one! SHOPPING LIST
1. CLAY Breyer Customizing or sculpture requires two-part Epoxy putty.
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SCULPTING WITH MONSTER CLAY SHOPPING LIST:
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PREPPING MODEL HORSES SHOPPING LIST
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PRIMERS STICK TO ONE OF THESE BRANDS
MOLD MAKING &
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