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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. _________________________________________________________________________________ WHAT IS A RESIN MODEL HORSE? 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. _________________________________________________________________________________ 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. _________________________________________________________________________________ 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. _________________________________________________________________________________ CLASSES, EDUCATION & RESOURCES
Some extra resources for learning more! _________________________________________________________________________________ In Person Equine Sculpture Workshop Intensive - various locations each year. Wire to Whinny with Lynn Fraley lynnafraley.com/pages/workshops Virtual Oil Painting Classes Oil Painting with Heather Bullach equineartbyheatherbullach.com/workshops/ Virtual Pastel Painting Classes Pastels with Tegan Davis www.facebook.com/zebrastrepe Virtual Customizing Workshop Customizing with DeeJayBe Studios deejaybestudioschool.thinkific.com/collections Various in Person Workshops, Fun Days & Events BreyerFest each July in Lexington, Kentucky www.breyerhorses.com/pages/calendar Model Horse Shows North American Model Horse Shows Association namhsa.org/ _________________________________________________________________________________ STILL CURIOUS, CONFUSED OR NEED MORE? Email me! [email protected] _________________________________________________________________________________ |
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