Step 1.5 Basic Horse Coats. . .

Time now for the detailing to bring these 1/56th horses to life.

Well, over the last several days and a couple of evenings, I've been able to finish applying the basic horse coat colors (oil glazes) over the acrylic basecoat-undercoat, which was a combination (applied in one step) of white acrylic gesso with mixed a generic tan or, in the case of those intended to become bays, Yellow Ochre.  The three eventual dappled grays were base-undercoated in a gesso-light gray blend and then washed in a darker gray thinned with Liquitex Flow Aid last night after all of the brown horses were completed late yesterday afternoon.

Now, it's time for the detailing: white markings on most muzzles, around quite a few lower legs and/or ankles, and black on the lower legs, manes, and tails for the bays in the front row.  The three greys at lower front right are due for dappling at some point during the next few days too.  I've already picked out a couple of older, stiffer brushes that I'll use to stipple on the white and lighter gray in a very random fashion.  The photographs below show the appearance I'm hoping to achieve.  The trick, I think, will be to brush off some of the color onto a paper towel before gently applying the color, but subtly is called for.  Not, sadly my strong suit as my wife The Grand Duchess will attest!  We'll see how things proceed.

FYI, the tan undercoat works very well with Burnt Sienna and Light English Red to produce two shades of reddish brown for Chestnut horses, while Van Dyke Brown over a dell yellow produces a very attractive darker brown sheen for Bays.  I also tried Sepia for a few of the latter, but like the results less.  No matter, I think once the black markings and bridles-reins-girths, etc. have been completed, even these will look presentable.

Time to get through the rest of the day now though, so that I might return to the painting table with a clear mind and conscience this (Friday) evening.

-- Stokes

The coloring on these various greys is interesting, ranging from very dark gray or black, to near white.  Some light feathering with a clean, soft brush might be in order right after the dappling effect has been applied, to soften and blend, before the acrylic white sets.  I'll need to work fast.  It's probably also a good idea to blacken a few knees and lower legs too before attempting the dappling.

My three greys in-progress.  While I dare not attempt a regiment of Scots Greys, these three mounts are shaping up fairly well.  Still the hooves to do, and I might tinker with the main and tail on the middle horse a bit more, but I'm pleased with the random, dusty gray, dappled look so far.  Cheap, worn out brushes, stippling the paint on here and there, damp/dry-brushing to round things out, and considerable restraint throughout the process have really helped.  Hmmm.  I think there is a painting lesson to be learned there.