Custom Mini Model Horses

  Here I’m spraying a clear finish. For primer, I would not have this on my deck. I don’t have an indoor spray booth, so I bring my models outside when I need to use aerosol products such as primer or Krylon Matte Finish. And outside means weather and wind. Quick Tip: When I need to spray the entire model, I lay them on their side or stand them up instead of holding onto a leg or tail. I like to place them on blank paper (so I don’t have to deal with ink/toner on the upward-facing side.) I pin the paper to a box with push pins so it doesn’t catch a breeze and send models flying. Place models on top and spray, monitoring closely if weather is iffy. Also, if it’s cold outside I bring the models and the spray can indoors between sides/coats. I’m not sure I trust a cold rattle can to work at its best. Good luck!

I am the happy owner of a real camera! I have been making due with an 1990's era pocket-sized camera and an iPhone for way too many years.  I have so much to re-learn about photography. As a high school student, photography—with black and white film that had to be developed—was a favorite class. In grad school, I spent a summer in Germany as an exchange student. Photography was the only class I understood due to my poor language skills. I don't remember much. So the film part is long gone, but the camera is here! (Thank you Mom and Dad for the lovely gift.) No-fancy-lighting-indoor-shot because it is cold outside  The camera is a Nikon D 3500. So far I am using a DX AF-P 18-55 mm 1:3.5-5.6 lens (the one that comes with the camera) and it is working great for Stablemates. Instead of Photoshop (which requires a subscription), I purchased Affinity Photo. I love the software and would recommend it to hobby photographers. You can find it here: https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/   It

  I entered NaMoPaiMo - National Model Painting Month . I'll be painting my International Customizing Equine Event (ICEE) model, Porter. He's going to be an Appaloosa mule inspired by two mules on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/muleatahorseshow/ and https://www.instagram.com/half_and_bad_ass/   If you're up for some inspiration and motivation this winter, I'd recommend joining in. National Model Painting Month is a challenge—not a contest—so you pick your own project and goals. My goal is to paint a complex bay Appaloosa pattern.   The NaMoPaiMo Facebook Group is friendly and supportive: https://www.facebook.com/groups/234123470349077 . Register here by January 31: https://braymere.blogspot.com/2022/01/lets-paint.html Good luck! Update February 12: I’ve got some color on my project. No appy spots or dark points yet. Valentine’s Day Update: I have spots! February 28th Update: I did it! I was waiting for a good day to put a final coat of spray on him. Thank goodne

My mailbox was full of mini-model goodness this week! I purchased Twist and Avant-Garde from on the second-hand market. Both models are sculpted by Brigitte Eberl.  Avant-Garde is a lovely Norwegian Fjord stallion who debuted as Lyric, a silver bay splash white as part of the 2020 Breyer Premier Collection. But since Lyric is just too darn cute to customize, I waited until this mold was produced in a different color before purchasing him. He is nicely scaled as a pony in the Stablemate line—larger than the Fell Pony stallion and smaller than the Connemara mare (Croi).     He is trotting with his nose a tiny bit ahead of vertical, perfect for performance. He stands well with three hooves on the table. He sports tons of details from one turned ear to neck wrinkles, although his feet are not carved.  Thinking of CM possibilities? This boy could be a number of sturdy pony breeds such as a Haflinger. My model has hardly any seams. He does have feathering and hair along his jaw that could