Anyone here re-paint Breyer horses as a hobby??

MiniHoofBeats · Feb 2, 2006

I've seen a few people on eBay that re-paint Breyer horses and sell them, I would LOVE to have a breyer horse painted just like each of my mini's!! I am looking for someone who is exceptional at catching detail =) I don't know how you do it, how do you re-paint? Do you take off the previus color and then re-paint or do you paint over the old color with a special kind of paint?? I could never do it but I am so curious!

nootka · Feb 2, 2006

I used to do this, and don't really have time to anymore.

There are a lot of different methods, but most of all, you need to finish cleaning up the seams and perhaps carve some details (usually Breyers have lots of mold seams/flaws, and they don't do such things as carve out the ears, or the hooves, etc.) and make sure the finish is as smooth as possible.

Prime it depending on what you'll be using for a color and type of paint (you can use oils or acrylics, brush or airbrush), keeping it nice and smooth.

Then begin your paint job and go from there.

There are lots of websites and informative email lists out there to help you learn.

It's fun to do and really enjoyable to have those finished products in the colors you want them to be.

Have a look at some of the artists resins being made (blank bodies that are ready to be finished/painted by you or another artist as you want them to be).

Some of my favorite artists are:

http://www.riorondo.com/

http://www.rosehorse.com/

http://www.lafnbear.com/

http://www.mink-studios.com/

I have some resins from all of the above, and I really enjoy them.

Liz M.

MiniHoofBeats · Feb 2, 2006

Wow thanks a lot Liz, these sites are amazing!!!

nootka · Feb 3, 2006

You're welcome. I think Rio Rondo (Carol Williams) has some great resources on her site in the form of links as well as the tools she sells. I would highly recommend her Carbide Scrapers for seams and carving. Beats sandpaper any day, but read the instructions for sure.

She started out just painting Breyers, too, but as you can see...onward and upward.

Her work is amazing and intricately detailed. She sculpted the Ideal Stock Horse and the Ideal Stock Horse Weanling that the Peter Stone company sells. She also does just breathtaking tack. Very talented.

Another thing she puts out that I would say is worth it is her Color Formulas and Techniques for painting model horses. Just takes the guesswork out of getting the right color, and it makes it more fun to do that.

Liz M.