Skip to main content

Performance Bases with Kinetic Sand


I am getting ready for the Save The Tigers Model Horse Show on Saturday, and I thought I'd spiff up my performance entries a little with arena bases. My goals here were to keep to a small budget and a manageable size.

For the first one, I found a wall hanging at Walmart—a picture frame without glass or a matte for about $5.00. I removed the hook from the back so it would lie flat on the table and a clip from the front. I also found a 3 lb. bag of kinetic sand for $13.00. (Regular sand can be done, but I usually make a mess of it.) Honestly, I'm a little worried about sand scratching my models, but it does look neat.

The fence is made of hobby wood (the small Popsicle sticks) and is removable for easy, flat storage. It stands 1 3/4 inches above the edge of the arena. Just a note, I steer clear of balsa wood because it is so fragile.

Picture frame base about 6 x 8.5 inches.

3 lbs of kinetic sand isn't a lot.

Quick!

Unlike regular sand, kinetic sand had to be rolled flat.

Dragging the arena.

Store kinetic sand items in air-tight bags.
Adding "banners" to a fence by cutting logos out of a catalog or magazine.
 The second base I made was a little more work, and cost about the same because I had some scrap wood at home. I purchased a piece of craft plywood at Michael's for $4.00. Then, using four strips of wood and a rubber band to hold them in place, I glued the edges to the sides of the plywood (and not my desk!) The result was similar to the picture frame above, but I had more control of the size and shape.
Base made from scratch 12 x 6 inches.

Sometimes I forget stuff on the judging table, so I thought I'd put my contact info on my things.

Handmade base with sand on it.

It looks like I have enough sand for one more base. Maybe I'll get some ideas at the show.

P.S. I learned to pack my car more carefully for the trip to the show... so my bases don’t end up on their sides:
Kinetic sand is still sand. Pack bases flat on the way to the show!



Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

New Pan Pastels - An Update

A little while back I posted a photo of my new Pan Pastel colors. I've gotten a chance to use them, and have found them quite handy.      First, these colors are all useful—which is not something I say about many of the Pan Pastel colors because they are not all well suited for horses. The orange shade looks a little odd at first, but once it's part of the coat it softens to a nice, bright addition to chestnuts, palominos, buckskins and bays. I think of is as more of a golden tone than orange when the model is finished.      Second, they are easy to use—no sandpaper palette needed, no huge-jar-o-dust waiting to spill. The pans work with both paintbrushes and Microbrush applicators for small details like leg bars and dorsal stripes.     Third, the colors work well together and blend well. For example, on this model I used the Burnt Sienna Extra Dark to deepen a few areas I had dusted with the Burnt Sienna Shade. So... thes...
Post a Comment
Read more

A Golden bay in Pan Pastels

I thought I'd share a bit of my process. I'm working in Pan Pastels. The model in question is a simple custom Morgan Stallion from the new standing Stablemate Warmblood mold. He has had some work done on his barrel and hindquarters. His mane and tail have been changed as well.  I prepped him with Rustoleum 2X primer in white and taped off some white markings with blue painters tape. Feel free to follow along and paint your own golden bay or liver chestnut.  A Pan Pastel Project Art Supplies Shopping list: A model with sanded seams and logo removed 400 Grit Sandpaper Masking or painters tape (optional) Rustolem 2X Primer Pan Pastels: 280.3 Orange Shade, 820.2 Neutral Grey Extra Dark (or other neutral grey), Layer 3: 740.3 Burnt Sienna Shade, 740.1 Burnt Sienna Extra Dark, 800.5 Black. Pan Pastel optional colors for shading mane, tail, and white markings: Optional fleshy pink pastel or paint for a pink nose or shading white markings. Krylon Matte, Testor's Dullcote, or other ...
Post a Comment
Read more