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  • Resources & Links
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  • Home
  • Shop
  • What Are Model Horses?
    • Introduction to the hobby
    • Introduction to Collecting
    • Introduction to Showing
    • Getting Creative
    • Pedigrees
  • Sizes & Brands
    • The Brands
      • Animal Artistry
      • Beswick
      • Breyer
      • CollectA
      • Copperfox
      • Equorum
      • Julip
      • Magpie
      • Peter Stone
      • RubberNedz
      • Schleich
      • Everything Else
    • Size Guide
      • Understanding Scales
      • Generic Size Guide
      • Breyer Size Guide
      • CTF Size Guide
      • Model Railway Scales
      • Size Comparison Gallery
    • Finishes
      • Original Finish
      • Custom Finish
      • Artist Resin & China
      • Commercial Resin & China
      • CTF Plastic
      • CTF Bendy
  • My Own Collection
    • Arabians
    • Thoroughbreds
    • Warmbloods & Sport Horses
    • Iberian
    • European Light Horses
    • British Native Ponies
    • European Ponies
    • Other Ponies
    • Type Ponies
    • American Quarter Horses
    • Appaloosas
    • Paints
    • Gaited
    • Mustangs
    • Other American
    • UK Heavy Horse
    • European Heavy Horses
    • Other Heavy Horses
    • Other Purebred Horses
    • Cobs & Vanners
    • Partbred Arabians
    • Other Partbred Horses
    • Partbred Ponies
    • Other Equine
    • fantasy & decorator
    • Other Animals
  • Showing
    • Live Shows
      • Introduction to Live Showing
      • Attending a Live Show
      • Running a Live Show
      • Gallery of Champions
      • 2019 Live Shows
      • BMECS & NAN
      • Recycled Live V
      • Herefordshire Live 2019
    • Photo Shows
      • Introduction to Photo Showing
      • Entering a Photo Show
      • Running a Photo Show
      • Gallery of Champions
      • Grand Photoshow
      • 2020 Photo Shows
    • Postal Shows
      • Introduction to Postal Shows
      • Entering a Postal Show
      • Running a Postal Show
      • 2019 Postal Shows
    • Other Competitions/Events
      • Customising Competitions
      • Tack/Prop Making Competitions
      • 30 Day Challenges
      • Body Transformation Challenge 2019
      • 2019 Competitions
    • Understanding Sections
      • In Hand
      • Performance
      • Workmanship
      • Collectability
      • Fun
    • Where Should My Horse Go?
      • Brands & Finishes
      • Breeds
      • Performance Entries
      • Colours
    • My Own Show Results
      • Section Champions
      • Supreme Champions
      • BMECs Success
      • Chestnut Ridge Customs & Resins
      • Chestnut Ridge Tack
  • Tutorials
    • Customising
      • Base Colours
        • Airbrushed Grey
        • Airbrushed Bay
        • Bay
        • Bay Foal
        • Black
        • Brown
        • Chestnut
        • Faded Black
        • Light Bay
      • Dilutes
        • Cremello
        • Dun
        • Grulla
        • Light Palomino
        • Palomino Foal
        • Silver Dapple
      • Spots & Splodges
        • Black Pinto
        • Bay Pinto
        • Black Leopard Spot
        • Chestnut Pinto
        • Grulla Pinto Foal
        • Leopard Appaloosa
        • Bay Blanket Spot
      • Other Colours
        • Blue Roan
        • Fleabitten Grey (Pencil)
        • Grey (Pastel)
        • Mulberry Grey
        • Red Roan
        • Roan
      • Sculpting
        • Carving Ears
        • Fairy Horse
        • Feathers
        • Hogged Mane
        • Marwari Ears
        • Pink Unicorn
        • Plaited Mane
        • Wild Mane & Tail
        • Winged Foal
      • Prepping & Other
        • Hair Direction
        • How to Prep
        • Leg Pinning
        • Removing Paint
        • Prepping for Hairing
        • Touch Ups
    • Tack Making
      • English
        • Boots
        • Grackle Bridle
        • Sidepull Bitless Bridle
      • Western
        • Paddock Pal Western Bridle
        • Two Ear Western Bridle
        • Western Breastplate
      • Headcollars & Halters
        • Arabian Halter
        • Classic Arabian Halter
        • Paddock Pal Arab Halter
        • Simple Headcollar
      • Everything Else
        • Rug Templates
        • Saddle Cloth Templates
    • Other
      • Computer Tutorials
        • Adding Excel Filters
        • Horse Record Spreadsheet
        • Pedigree Table
        • Points System
        • Setting up a Facebook Page
      • Props
        • Bird
        • Breyer Cross Country Jump
        • Desert Scene
        • Horse Lick
        • Snowy Base
        • Snowy Scene
        • Stable Items
        • Trail Class Props
      • Showing
        • Creating a Judging List
    • Online Seminars
      • Seminar Schedule
      • Past Seminars
  • Galleries
    • Custom Gallery
      • Bay
      • Black
      • Chestnut
      • Grey
      • Duns
      • Cream Dilutes
      • Pintos
      • Spotted
      • Roan
      • Fantasy & Decorator
      • Other Colour
    • Tack Gallery
      • English Bridles
      • Western Bridles
      • Other English
      • Other Western
      • Arabian
      • Headcollars & Halters
      • Other Tack
    • Scenes
      • The Model Horse Shop
      • The Live Show
  • Blog & News
    • Our Blog
    • 2020 New Releases
      • Breyer
      • Schleich
      • CollectA
      • Other Brands
    • Model Horse News
  • Fun & Games
    • Colouring Pages
    • Wordsearches
    • Cross Words
    • Quizzes
    • Other Puzzles
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    • Crackers and the Magical Fairies
    • Crackers Goes Viral
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(c) Chestnut Ridge 2019

​catriona@chestnutridge.co.uk

Important note - Chestnut Ridge does not endorse any of the external links or companies linked to on this website. We are not responsible for the content of those links nor do we recommend using those companies for purchases. Any links are provided for information purposes only and you use at your own risk. We are not affiliated in anyway with any of the companies mentioned.

We highly recommend you research any company before making a purchase from them. This is also true for individual sellers and buyers. There are numerous model horse reference sites that we recommend you look at before buying.

Airbrushed Grey

The following tutorial was written in 2017.

The model used is a Breyer Stablemate G2 Morgan.

The paints used were a mixture of vallejo, citadel and humbrol acrylics. Approximate costs are based on you buying all the items needed for this tutorial including a cheap airbrush and compressor. It is assumed you are painting a Stablemate model horse but this tutorial will work for all scales.

Difficulty Level: Medium
Approximate Cost: £134.00

Shopping List

The Basics

Prepped Model Horse
Airbrush
Compressor/Air Canister
Small Paint Brushes
Sealant
Gloss
Fine Liner Pen

Paints

Light Grey
Medium Grey
Dark Grey
​Ginger or Light Red Brown

For the eyes/details

White
Black
Brown
Red

The Base Colour

Step 1

Start with a prepped model horse and white primer.
Cover the entire model in light grey - make sure you leave a smooth finish over the whole horse. Apply two layers if needed.
Picture
Step 2

Add some ginger (a light red brown will also work) around the horse's belly.
This will add some colour depth to the coat.
Picture
Step 3

Now it is time to start adding the shading. Use a medium to dark grey (or build up layers, starting lighter and then adding a little more darker grey in for more depth of colour).
Add colour to the legs, withers, neck, back, flanks and top of tail. Use reference and the photo below to help you work out where colour is needed.
Picture
Step 4

Add dark grey to the legs, top of tail, back and base of the mane. It is worth also adding some shading to the muzzle, genital area and ears at this point.
As with step 3 use reference and the photo below to help guide you.

The base coat colour is now complete. You may want to add even darker shading using black to the legs and top of the tail if you feel your colour is too light.
Picture

The Eyes

Step 1

You will need a reasonably fine detail brush to finish off the eyes, it will depend on the size of model you are using though!

​Add a base coat of black to both eyes.
Picture
Step 2

Mix white with a tiny bit of red and cover the entire eye. You will want to leave a very fine black outline but this should only be very small.

For a little extra realism paint the whole eye white and then add the red in the corner and drag it inwards. This is easier to do on larger models than smaller ones.
Picture
Step 3

Add a very fine watery layer of red brown paint over the entirety of both eyes.
Picture
Step 4

Create the iris out of dark brown paint. It should be round in shape and expose only a tiny amount of the white underneath.
Picture
Step 5

​Finish your eyes by adding the oblong shaped pupil in black paint.
Picture

The Hooves

The horse in this tutorial has no white markings, so we are assuming you are painting dark hooves. Obviously if you want to add white leg markings you will need to paint light coloured hooves.

​Step 1

​Paint the hooves a light grey colour.
Picture
Step 2

Add a layer of dark grey exposing the light grey around the coronet band of the hoof.
Picture

Finishing

Use a fineliner pen to sign your model on the belly or under one hoof.

Now use a good quality sealant to seal your model. This may take a couple of layers. It should feel smooth to the touch when done but not be shiny.

Now finish your piece by adding some gloss. This horse has glossed hooves, eyes, nostrils and the very edge of his lips.
Picture

Taking It To the Next Level

The piece we have painted is quite simplistic. It would be a good colour to try if you are new to airbrushing and simply wish to practise controlling the airbrush and developing shading.

However, to take your piece to the next level you may want to think about adding more detail.

Pastel Shading

To add much more depth to this colour think about using pastels for finer shading work such as within the muscles or around the facial area. You could also add white paint mixed with a little pink pastel to create mottling around the muzzle and genitals.
​
Pencilled Hairs

Using a white or black pencil can add real detail when attempting to create a mixture of fine hairs. Look at reference and think about where this could be used to enhance your piece.
​
​Detailing the Details

The instructions given for details here are very basic. You may want to think about how you can make them more realistic.

Using pencils on the hooves can help to create stripes and lines as you would see on a real horse.

Mixing colours in the iris of the eye can give a more realistic look.

Think about adding extra details such as painted on chestnuts for a more realistic finish.

Gallery of Finished Pieces

If you've attempted this tutorial and would like to share an image with us for our gallery please email catriona@chestnutridge.co.uk

Make sure to let us know which tutorial you completed and any information (such as your name) you would like included with your picture.

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Our Ethos

Model horses are meant to be fun, it's easy to lose that sometimes and feel like there is so much negativity around you. Chestnut Ridge is a happy place, here you will find information about the hobby, tutorials to try out and fun and games to help you fall back in love with your model horses.
​Want to submit some content? Just email catriona@chestnutridge.co.uk and help make our community grow.

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  • Home
  • Shop
  • What Are Model Horses?
    • Introduction to the hobby
    • Introduction to Collecting
    • Introduction to Showing
    • Getting Creative
    • Pedigrees
  • Sizes & Brands
    • The Brands
      • Animal Artistry
      • Beswick
      • Breyer
      • CollectA
      • Copperfox
      • Equorum
      • Julip
      • Magpie
      • Peter Stone
      • RubberNedz
      • Schleich
      • Everything Else
    • Size Guide
      • Understanding Scales
      • Generic Size Guide
      • Breyer Size Guide
      • CTF Size Guide
      • Model Railway Scales
      • Size Comparison Gallery
    • Finishes
      • Original Finish
      • Custom Finish
      • Artist Resin & China
      • Commercial Resin & China
      • CTF Plastic
      • CTF Bendy
  • My Own Collection
    • Arabians
    • Thoroughbreds
    • Warmbloods & Sport Horses
    • Iberian
    • European Light Horses
    • British Native Ponies
    • European Ponies
    • Other Ponies
    • Type Ponies
    • American Quarter Horses
    • Appaloosas
    • Paints
    • Gaited
    • Mustangs
    • Other American
    • UK Heavy Horse
    • European Heavy Horses
    • Other Heavy Horses
    • Other Purebred Horses
    • Cobs & Vanners
    • Partbred Arabians
    • Other Partbred Horses
    • Partbred Ponies
    • Other Equine
    • fantasy & decorator
    • Other Animals
  • Showing
    • Live Shows
      • Introduction to Live Showing
      • Attending a Live Show
      • Running a Live Show
      • Gallery of Champions
      • 2019 Live Shows
      • BMECS & NAN
      • Recycled Live V
      • Herefordshire Live 2019
    • Photo Shows
      • Introduction to Photo Showing
      • Entering a Photo Show
      • Running a Photo Show
      • Gallery of Champions
      • Grand Photoshow
      • 2020 Photo Shows
    • Postal Shows
      • Introduction to Postal Shows
      • Entering a Postal Show
      • Running a Postal Show
      • 2019 Postal Shows
    • Other Competitions/Events
      • Customising Competitions
      • Tack/Prop Making Competitions
      • 30 Day Challenges
      • Body Transformation Challenge 2019
      • 2019 Competitions
    • Understanding Sections
      • In Hand
      • Performance
      • Workmanship
      • Collectability
      • Fun
    • Where Should My Horse Go?
      • Brands & Finishes
      • Breeds
      • Performance Entries
      • Colours
    • My Own Show Results
      • Section Champions
      • Supreme Champions
      • BMECs Success
      • Chestnut Ridge Customs & Resins
      • Chestnut Ridge Tack
  • Tutorials
    • Customising
      • Base Colours
        • Airbrushed Grey
        • Airbrushed Bay
        • Bay
        • Bay Foal
        • Black
        • Brown
        • Chestnut
        • Faded Black
        • Light Bay
      • Dilutes
        • Cremello
        • Dun
        • Grulla
        • Light Palomino
        • Palomino Foal
        • Silver Dapple
      • Spots & Splodges
        • Black Pinto
        • Bay Pinto
        • Black Leopard Spot
        • Chestnut Pinto
        • Grulla Pinto Foal
        • Leopard Appaloosa
        • Bay Blanket Spot
      • Other Colours
        • Blue Roan
        • Fleabitten Grey (Pencil)
        • Grey (Pastel)
        • Mulberry Grey
        • Red Roan
        • Roan
      • Sculpting
        • Carving Ears
        • Fairy Horse
        • Feathers
        • Hogged Mane
        • Marwari Ears
        • Pink Unicorn
        • Plaited Mane
        • Wild Mane & Tail
        • Winged Foal
      • Prepping & Other
        • Hair Direction
        • How to Prep
        • Leg Pinning
        • Removing Paint
        • Prepping for Hairing
        • Touch Ups
    • Tack Making
      • English
        • Boots
        • Grackle Bridle
        • Sidepull Bitless Bridle
      • Western
        • Paddock Pal Western Bridle
        • Two Ear Western Bridle
        • Western Breastplate
      • Headcollars & Halters
        • Arabian Halter
        • Classic Arabian Halter
        • Paddock Pal Arab Halter
        • Simple Headcollar
      • Everything Else
        • Rug Templates
        • Saddle Cloth Templates
    • Other
      • Computer Tutorials
        • Adding Excel Filters
        • Horse Record Spreadsheet
        • Pedigree Table
        • Points System
        • Setting up a Facebook Page
      • Props
        • Bird
        • Breyer Cross Country Jump
        • Desert Scene
        • Horse Lick
        • Snowy Base
        • Snowy Scene
        • Stable Items
        • Trail Class Props
      • Showing
        • Creating a Judging List
    • Online Seminars
      • Seminar Schedule
      • Past Seminars
  • Galleries
    • Custom Gallery
      • Bay
      • Black
      • Chestnut
      • Grey
      • Duns
      • Cream Dilutes
      • Pintos
      • Spotted
      • Roan
      • Fantasy & Decorator
      • Other Colour
    • Tack Gallery
      • English Bridles
      • Western Bridles
      • Other English
      • Other Western
      • Arabian
      • Headcollars & Halters
      • Other Tack
    • Scenes
      • The Model Horse Shop
      • The Live Show
  • Blog & News
    • Our Blog
    • 2020 New Releases
      • Breyer
      • Schleich
      • CollectA
      • Other Brands
    • Model Horse News
  • Fun & Games
    • Colouring Pages
    • Wordsearches
    • Cross Words
    • Quizzes
    • Other Puzzles
    • Collector Bingo
  • Tales from Chestnut Ridge
    • Crackers and the Magical Fairies
    • Crackers Goes Viral
    • Julie's Story
    • Minstrel to the Rescue
  • Resources & Links
    • Glossary
    • External Links
    • Free Downloads
    • Privacy Policy
    • Shipping & Returns
    • Terms & Conditions