Painting horses

[Ratch]

Some modellers prefer to use oil paints due to their richness and that they dry with a slight sheen, but this is not essential and acrylic paints are just as useful.

On large-scale horses a series of dry brushes can give an effective result. Start with an undercoat to the horse with the appropriate colour. Paint the base coat, putting down the brush-stokes in the direction of the hair growth.

A realistic effect can be achieved with an airbrush. I tend to use three or four shades, starting with the lightest on the horse’s belly, ribs, neck, head, and legs. I work towards the darkest shades on the haunches, tail and mane. Of course, you should select the colours that look most realistic to your eye, and this will vary for blacks, chestnuts, bays and greys or even piebald and other horse colourings depending upon your choice.

Horses are rarely uniform in colour - basically the undercoat is lighter and the upper is obviously darker and richer. Any distinctive markings like a blaze on the face or socks are added after the basic colours. Hoofs with white socks should be light greyish-yellow, whereas un-socked ones should be dark grey or brown. Hardly any white should be seen in the eyes. Muzzle skin is hairless, as are the lips and nostrils, and pinkish grey is suitable.

These 54mm horses were airbrushed