Impulse

I have a lot of in progress customs. Currently, most are being prepped or just finished being prepped. But today I had the itch to sculpt. So a Breyer Stock Horse Stallion became my impulse victim.
The most important part of customizing is good reference, so it took a couple hours to find a good one. I decided on him being a loping western stallion.
Then hacking started.

And then laying Apoxie sculpt started.

He still needs alot of work done (especially his legs!) but I think he's going to be a fun performance horse once he's done!

The Vision

So I have finished my first week of school!
Last weekend I bought this giant makeup box, and it shall be converted into a performance show box!

I need to give it a good cleaning and may repaint parts. Then I will do labeling and figuring out how to organize it so I can put the most in. So here's my vision! Do you see it?

The Tree's The Word

Real saddles and miniature sized saddles have one thing in common. They all have a tree, which is the backbone of the saddle. It gives it shape, and keeps it from looking  flat.

Saddle trees can be bought from numerous companies. I still buy them, but I've started making my own too.

What you'll need

• Super glue

• baking soda

• aluminum soda can

• scissors

• exacto knife

• Foil

• Body Model

• Wire

Making trees doesn't have to be limited to english saddles. You can make endurance, western, and saddle seat too!

First you need to break out tack catalogs or start googling. You want to have an idea of what you want to create. 

Next strip it of everything. For a western saddle tree, you have to make the gullet, horn, and seat. First figure out how large you want it to be. If you aren't sure, look at pictures of tacked up horses.

To make the seat, take out an aluminum can. I use regular soda cans. After I drink 'em, I wash'em and use'em for trees. The cans are sturdy and thin.                                                                                                 Trace the general shape, then cut it out.

 Shape it in the general shape of a saddle. Twist it around a pen or pencil to make it "arch" up. If making a western saddle tree, add horn. For the horn,  take out foil and roll it into the general shape of a gullet. Take out a piece of wire and wrap it around the gullet then shape it up if you want.

Congrats, you've made a tree!

Arts and School Day 2

Today was yet another Art and School day. This was my last, completely free day of summer, so I did school arts and craft. So here's another how-to. This one is how to make a calender. I was pretty proud of myself!

Tools Needed:
Frame with a glass or plastic front
Scissors
Marker
Poster board or large piece of hard paper
Ruler
*Optional- spray paint
1) Take your frame,

And take it apart. Do you see a cat tail? You will only need the very back, the frame, and the glass/plastic front. 

2) If you want to paint the frame, go ahead. I bought mine at a yard sale, so I spray painted it black to match the cork board yesterday! Take your piece of poster board and cut it to match the back. Then glue.

3) Depending on how you want to set up your calender, take out your ruler and measure.                                             

4) Then use your marker and mark it up. Then reassemble and put everything back in.

Vala! You're done and have a home-made calender!

School and Art Day

Since I have to go back to the place called school Monday, I decided to have a school and art day. So here's a tutorial on how to make a framed cork board. It could be for school or model horses!

Tools of the Trade:

Cork board
Binder
Frame in the size you want
Glue
Scissors

1) First you need a regular frame.

2) Take it apart.

3)These are the only parts you need. You just need the frame and the back.

4) Next measure and cut. You want the piece of cork board to be the same size as the back.

5) Now just put the piece of cork board in first, then stick the back in and fasten it. Done! Now you have a cool looking school board or a model horse one.

It's A Prep

Today I didn't have a ton of time to work on models so today was a prep day.
After exchanging my can of primer for a new one (the one I had bought didn't work), it was time to work.

Then it was time to start spraying.

The end result.

The wolf, well he is now a Native American Indian Dog. Researching, they are an actual breed, designed to be like and act like the actual ones from years ago. 

 My soon to be foxhound hunter pony. I'm thinking buckskin as his color.

 Reining horse. I got him at a yard sale (the best place to find bodies!) and chopped of his hair mane and tail, then sculpted a new one. He will be painted eventually. No idea though about his color....

Going Cross eyed

I started on a Native Arabian costume. They can easily make you go cross eyed trying to get the little bits and pieces together. This is the first one I've ever done, and so far I like it.

The saddle tree I made out of foil and a soda can. I used regular embroidery thread to make the breastcollar. And the tassels are from the same thread and I still need to make a bazillion more!The fabric is some I got years ago from a craft store, and looking at the picture I really need to stretch and train it!
The model that's sporting it really needs a new paint job. Once it's done, maybe I'll even try making a doll.

Here Come The Hounds!

Today's goal was to finish the last prepped foxhound.
It took patience. First layers,

Couple more layers,

and markings being added.

The reference dog had really pretty white markings so I really wanted to do them justice.

Finished!

Making foxhounds was alot of fun....I think I may make one more...

Reach For The Light!

Yes, another movie quote. This time it isn't The Fox And The Hound though! It's from Balto today since he's a wolf dog.

Remember this guy ? Well seeing I'm currently on a dog roll and only have 7 days before I have to go back to the place called school, I decided to bring the wolf dog out. Finding documentation was kind of hard, but I eventually did find some.
First he had apoxie layered on him,

Layered more and added in textured fur,

and more fur, he's becoming an apoxie monster!

Almost half way there!

Almost done.....

 All Done, well only the sculpting part. I have no clue what color to paint him though.........

I'm a Hound Dog

Yes another The Fox And The Hound movie quote. My first Foxhound is done! She's black and white with some ticking.
Paint getting added,

Detailing in the fur being added,

Eyes just need done,

Done!

One more prepped foxhound that needs painted! My foxhound scene is coming along!

It Is Finished

It Is Finished (said in Aslan voice). I have completed all of my summer homework. Just finished the Pre-Cal packet (don't you love summer aka school huge packet homework time?).
Which means.......my Native American Doll can be finished! His name is Chogan which means Black Bird in Cree. For anyone who says that model horses don't teach anything, they sure teach how to research!
Here's Chogan taped up and ready to paint.

First coat on his face,

Arms and face done,

New hair added ( I really need to get better at making things in a better order!) 

Then he got new eyes. Creepy, huh?

All finished and ready to ride!!

Indian Pony- Pt. 2

Today, most of the doll was made for my Indian pony. I used one of my paradise horses dolls.
To make the clothes I made a pattern. Next I cut it out of chamois,

Then started to sew the legs.

I did trial and error for figuring out how to do the pants. I've never done pants before and they are sewn on permanently.

The shirt was much much easier for me. I started sewing,

Then turned the shirt inside out,

Here he is on Starlight.

Next came boots. I used chamois then put tooling leather on the bottom.

Here he is! Too bad I wasn't patient enough to paint his face and arms, now I'll have to do that. Then add new black hair. 

I need to figure out a name for him too...hmm...

Part 3 is tomorrow!