The following tutorial was written in 2011.
The model used is a Breyer Stablemate Seabiscuit.
This model was painted using a combination of airbrushed acrylics, pastels and hand painted acrylics. The paint used were from the Citadel range by Games Workshop and the pastels were an Earth Tone set. 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: £118.00
The model used is a Breyer Stablemate Seabiscuit.
This model was painted using a combination of airbrushed acrylics, pastels and hand painted acrylics. The paint used were from the Citadel range by Games Workshop and the pastels were an Earth Tone set. 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: £118.00
Shopping List
Paints
Ochre
Flesh Tone
Light Brown
Red Brown
Dark Brown
White
Black
Red
Earth Tone Pastel Set
Tools
Airbrush
Compressor
Paint Brushes
Old/Damaged Brushes for Pastelling
Prepped Model Horse
Sealant
Ochre
Flesh Tone
Light Brown
Red Brown
Dark Brown
White
Black
Red
Earth Tone Pastel Set
Tools
Airbrush
Compressor
Paint Brushes
Old/Damaged Brushes for Pastelling
Prepped Model Horse
Sealant
The Base Colour
Step 1
You need to start with a prepped and primed model horse. I have used white primer as a base for this model but grey primer would also work.
You need to start with a prepped and primed model horse. I have used white primer as a base for this model but grey primer would also work.
Step 2
Mix together the ochre, flesh tone and light brown paints in equal proportions.
Mix together the ochre, flesh tone and light brown paints in equal proportions.
Step 3
You should have a colour that looks similar to the one above. Make sure if you are using an airbrush to water down your paints to about the consistency of milk. If you are hand painting watering down the paints and applying them in multiple thin layers is advisable to get a smooth finish.
You should have a colour that looks similar to the one above. Make sure if you are using an airbrush to water down your paints to about the consistency of milk. If you are hand painting watering down the paints and applying them in multiple thin layers is advisable to get a smooth finish.
Step 4
Now apply this colour to the whole of the horse.
Now apply this colour to the whole of the horse.
Step 5
Now mix together 1 part dark brown with 2 parks red brown.
Now mix together 1 part dark brown with 2 parks red brown.
Step 6
Apply a fine layer of this colour over the entire horse. Now add more layers around the neck, shoulder, quarters, back, legs and chin as shown.
Apply a fine layer of this colour over the entire horse. Now add more layers around the neck, shoulder, quarters, back, legs and chin as shown.
Step 7
You will now add a layer of dark brown. If you have some of the mix from step 6 left over you can simply add dark brown to this to create a slight reddish tinge, or you can start fresh with just dark brown if you prefer.
You will now add a layer of dark brown. If you have some of the mix from step 6 left over you can simply add dark brown to this to create a slight reddish tinge, or you can start fresh with just dark brown if you prefer.
Step 8
Apply this darker colour as shading as shown on the horse above. You'll need to darken the neck, chin, top of the front legs, quarters, withers and back.
Apply this darker colour as shading as shown on the horse above. You'll need to darken the neck, chin, top of the front legs, quarters, withers and back.
Step 9
We are now going to add our first layer of pastel. Before you do this I recommend sealing your base coat to prevent damage. Use some dark brown pastel mixed with black pastel.
We are now going to add our first layer of pastel. Before you do this I recommend sealing your base coat to prevent damage. Use some dark brown pastel mixed with black pastel.
Step 10
Use an old paint brush to apply this mix to the muscled areas of the horse as shading. Once done seal your model. You can now add black to the legs of the horse using either airbrushed black acrylic paint or black pastel depending on your preference.
Use an old paint brush to apply this mix to the muscled areas of the horse as shading. Once done seal your model. You can now add black to the legs of the horse using either airbrushed black acrylic paint or black pastel depending on your preference.
Step 11
Now add the final areas of black shading to the muzzle, eyes, ears and genitals using black pastel.
Now add the final areas of black shading to the muzzle, eyes, ears and genitals using black pastel.
The Details
Step 1
You can now start adding the white markings. For this model I'm doing a snowcap blanket pattern but you can use reference and add whatever level of white patterning you like. Slowly build up the colour by using thing layers of white acrylic paint.
You can now start adding the white markings. For this model I'm doing a snowcap blanket pattern but you can use reference and add whatever level of white patterning you like. Slowly build up the colour by using thing layers of white acrylic paint.
Step 2
Mix some white paint with a little bit of red (pink pastel also works) and add mottling to the muzzle, eyes and genitals.
At the same time you can start work on the details of the horse. Here we have started the eyes with a layer of white mixed with red paint.
Mix some white paint with a little bit of red (pink pastel also works) and add mottling to the muzzle, eyes and genitals.
At the same time you can start work on the details of the horse. Here we have started the eyes with a layer of white mixed with red paint.
Step 3
Once you are happy with your patterning paint the mane and tail in black. Depending on the extent of your pattern (check your reference) you may need to add white hairs to your mane and tail.
Finish off the final details of the model. For the hooves as it is a spotted pattern you will need to have striped hooves. Use a light tan colour and then black pastel to create the striping.
Finish the eyes with a brown iris and black oblong shaped pupil.
Once you are happy with your patterning paint the mane and tail in black. Depending on the extent of your pattern (check your reference) you may need to add white hairs to your mane and tail.
Finish off the final details of the model. For the hooves as it is a spotted pattern you will need to have striped hooves. Use a light tan colour and then black pastel to create the striping.
Finish the eyes with a brown iris and black oblong shaped pupil.
The Finished Piece
Finish your piece with a few layers of sealant. You can then gloss the eyes and hooves of your model.
Once done make sure to sign your new custom so that everybody knows it was by you! If you have used this tutorial to finish a model horse why not email us a picture and we can feature it in our completed pieces gallery below.
Once done make sure to sign your new custom so that everybody knows it was by you! If you have used this tutorial to finish a model horse why not email us a picture and we can feature it in our completed pieces gallery below.