Basic Horse Tack Finished (Whew!). . .

 

A long way to go before these approach anything like "finished", but at least the miles of horse tack have their basic black coat.  The martingales, in particular (the strap running from the girth around the ribs between the front legs), were an absolute bear to paint.  Even with a very small 000 brush.  I still managed to get black paint all over the GD place and had to come back later to cover up those many blotches with the various browns used for the horse flesh itself. 

Not fun. 

July was a discouraging month as a result, hence the break of several week's duration that stretched into August.  Sometimes I find that the best remedy for hobby frustration is to do other things for a while and just. . .  take a break.  Easy enough to do during the summer months.  Climbing back onto the horse now though (ahem).

On that note, I've used Army Painter 'Fur Brown' and Vallejo 'Mahogany Brown' for the chestnuts, and Vallejo 'Chocolate Brown' for the two of three bays.  The Army Painter color is lighter than I'd like though.  Moving forward,  I won't use it for horses, restricting myself to the other two browns.  Musicians will, of course, get the usual grays with maybe an odd black or brown and white piebald horse sprinkled into the mix for hussars and officers. 

But back to this first batch of Minden Austrian hussars for a moment.  The trumpeter's horse is a basic charcoal gray for now. It will have a dappling effect applied with a small sponge later in the painting process.

All well and good, Stokes, but what's next?  Well, why make things any easier on myself?  I think I'll take a stab at the mustaches and hair/queues.  Glutton for punishment that I apparently am.

Still, Happy Sunday everyone! And thank you again for checking in as and when the spirit seizes you to do so.  I think another mug of coffee now will suit me nicely on this dark, cool, and rainy late summer's day.

-- Stokes