The following tutorial was written in 2013.
The model used is a Breyer Stablemate G2 American Saddlebred.
This model was painted using a combination of airbrushed acrylics and hand painted acrylics. The paint used were from the Citadel range by Games Workshop. 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:
Approximate Cost:
The model used is a Breyer Stablemate G2 American Saddlebred.
This model was painted using a combination of airbrushed acrylics and hand painted acrylics. The paint used were from the Citadel range by Games Workshop. 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:
Approximate Cost:
Shopping List
Paints
White
Red Brown
Tools
Airbrush
Compressor
Paint Brushes
Prepped Model Horse
Sealant
White
Red Brown
Tools
Airbrush
Compressor
Paint Brushes
Prepped Model Horse
Sealant
The Base Colour
Step 1
You will need to start with a prepped model horse that has been primed with white primer. If you have used grey primer add a coat of white over the top.
You will need to start with a prepped model horse that has been primed with white primer. If you have used grey primer add a coat of white over the top.
Step 2
Mix a tiny amount of red brown with white paint (around 9:1 ratio). Cover the whole model in this mix.
Mix a tiny amount of red brown with white paint (around 9:1 ratio). Cover the whole model in this mix.
Step 3
Increase your paint mix ratio to around 8:2 and start to add some shading. Shade the inside of the muscles, ears, back, shoulder, neck and top of the legs. Use reference to help you.
Increase your paint mix ratio to around 8:2 and start to add some shading. Shade the inside of the muscles, ears, back, shoulder, neck and top of the legs. Use reference to help you.
Step 4
Add red brown paint to the head, ears, topline and legs.
Add red brown paint to the head, ears, topline and legs.
Step 5
Add dark red paint to the face, ears, genitals, hocks, knees and fetlocks.
Add dark red paint to the face, ears, genitals, hocks, knees and fetlocks.
Step 6
Add the same dark red mix to the mane and tail. Graduate this so that the ends are still light in colour.
Add the same dark red mix to the mane and tail. Graduate this so that the ends are still light in colour.
Step 7
Your base colour is now complete. Seal your model before moving on to the details.
Your base colour is now complete. Seal your model before moving on to the details.
The Eyes
Step 1
Paint a coat of black over the whole eye
Paint a coat of black over the whole eye
Step 2
Mix some white acrylic with a small dot of red acrylic and cover most of the eye. Leave a line of black showing around the outside.
Mix some white acrylic with a small dot of red acrylic and cover most of the eye. Leave a line of black showing around the outside.
Step 3
Paint the iris by mixing burnt umber and a little bit of gold.
Finish with a black oblong shaped pupil.
Paint the iris by mixing burnt umber and a little bit of gold.
Finish with a black oblong shaped pupil.
The Hooves
Step 1
If you don't have white markings first paint the hooves with a layer of light grey.
If you don't have white markings first paint the hooves with a layer of light grey.
Step 2
Now add a layer of black grey. Leave a little bit of the lighter grey showing around the coronet band.
Now add a layer of black grey. Leave a little bit of the lighter grey showing around the coronet band.
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 dark red 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.
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 dark red 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.