Medallions, Busts, and other Hobbyware

Besides my model horses and ponies and dogs (oh my!), there are plenty of other collections.  An offshoot of the model horse hobby that comes in many smaller forms is Medallions.

NAMHSA (North American Model Horse Showers Assn.) has held NAN (North American Nationals) that awarded “cookies” - and equine resin Medallion mounted on a plaque to Champion and Reserve Champion for each class, along with Top Ten rosette awards.  Sculpted medallions are often cast in resin by various hobby artists.  They vary in size, shape, and style, and are often used as awards.  Many hobbyists like to paint and display them as well!

They are seen as bas relief or sculptural forms, sometimes a head and neck, or whole
Body, even scenes or themes.  Busts, magnets, ornaments, jewelry, and other “giftware” is popular as well.  Here is a Lynn Fraley jumper and a Fly Fishing Medallion finished by Berit Anderson

I really love medallions!  They can be propped up on little easels for display and are fun to paint.

A Jen Kroll winter Arab ornament, Arab head, and cool wolf by an unknown sculptor
Some are cast in color and even other materials, like bronze. Here is tiny (coin size magnet by Danza!) and common size (Kelly Sealey’s Inferno in coppery resin), like a drink coaster.  There are HUGE pieces as well, and I also enjoy plaques, trinket boxes, little themed dishes...

They can be really fun to sculpt and customize and challenge your Finishwork skills as well.  I adore having a small collection of Medallions and other pieces...looking forward to painting some more!

Kathleen Moody magnet and Frog from Resins by Randy!

Groundhogs, inspiration, and basecoat

Well, I would rather hibernate during this weather myself.   Living the same day over and over like the Groundhog Day movie is certainly how it can feel sometimes, day-to-day living, working...
Even art can be that way, or routine with animals.  Luckily, there are things we can do to Jazz it up a bit!  Lively conversation, study of science and art, creating, and appreciation of nature and the beasties.

Turns out Punxsatawney Phil did NOT see his shadow thus predicting warmer spring temperatures instead of the six more weeks of winter.  I like this enough to think of my model as Phil.

So my Breyer Feb. calendar displays QH Stallion Latigo Dun It, an example of Palomino with “sootiness” or “smutty” factor displayed over the stunning gold Palomino color.

My actual Welsh Cob pony inspiration comes from Pernilla Jobs’ fellow below, and I also love Lesli Kathman’s leg detail photo from Equine Tapestry...   My reference folder contains hundreds of reference photos, and some focus on variations and details within the color range.

So my mixed media pony starts out in thin acrylic layers...cream, ivory, gold, even yellows...

Which I then tone down with creams and light tans.

My goal is to have a light basecoat on which to blend pastels and colored pencil.

At this stage I use makeup sponges or soft brushes to create a smooth surface to apply pigment.

It’s definitely a decent start, better than the gray primer!  Much has been documented and shared about “the ugly phase” while painting a model, and it’s true!  Relax if you hit stages where color is frustrating or you can’t seem to blend or get the effect you are after.  The beauty of paint and pigment is that it is malleable - you can cover, blend, add, remove.  Sometimes our media is a limiting factor, as in opacity or drying time.  Part of Arting is learning what works and what doesn’t, so don’t worry as you start out - just enjoy the process and know it will evolve.  If you need a break, take one!

My challenge with Fohn (Phil!) today was learning how to best hold him and access all the nooks and crannies.  I adore his turned head as well as the sculpt’s mane and tail.  Different tools will allow me

to properly reach areas when using pastels.  I am excited to be playing with color on my pony!

Aaaaand We’re Off!

NaMoPaiMo hath begun!  Hundreds of hobbyists worldwide are working to complete their chosen “HSO” (horse shaped object) during February.  There will be trials and tribulations, courage, and success!  Some will gather for painting parties while others work in solitude.  The reward is in experience, learning, and enjoyment of Model Horse art!  This is noncompetive and you “win” by completing your model (and even if you don’t, there is success in trying!).

My project this year is a resin Fohn by Yvonne Stevens via Seunta LLC, and look! Beginnings of a bonus pony, er, Chicken!?!  Truthfully, I have several side projects...

Since I am not into FB, I utilize the Internet forums and groups as well as hobby friends local and afar to share progress, tips, and constructive critique.  I hope to accomplish my goal of a new color on a larger scale as well as possible other projects.

Some folks finish fast, others work down to the wire, and sometimes we are in between or have setbacks, distractions, or issues, and all of that is fine!  I tend to work a little each day and also have to have “drying time” depending on media.  I plan to use a combination of acrylic paint, pastels and pigments, and colored pencil to build up layers slowly.  This requires some “sealing” with a fixative in between.  I love to blend colors while working and see if I can develop the desired depth & detail.

Alas, there are almost always some partially done models bouncing around, as well as prepped models and projects in the “body box”. Would love to finish this classic CM I started long ago, and here are my tiny foals who need to tell me what color they would like to be...

So many options.  Ideas?  Suggestions?  Comment!    Next up, local color beyond basecoat!

Bonus Ponies...and stuff

Yayyy!  The pony painting party has begun!  So far there is primered resin model about to get a basecoat of thin acrylic. Woo!

Meanwhile, I have been working on this lil guy (not my NaMo horse)...

And I finished my tack trunk that I started a year or two ago...only fits 6 but sturdy/protective!

I hope to complete a few side projects during NaMoPaiMo...it’s a great creative jumpstart for me!
“Bonus Pony” means any additional or extra model worked on/completed other than your designated project horse.  Last year I completed my Zebra and also finished a started Bay trotting Stablemate bonus pony (appropriately named Beauness!).

ALSO:

Study Equine Color Genetics

Books and Websites galore...

Here are a few to start with:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/practicalhorsemanmag.com/.amp/health-archive/a_guide_to_equine_color_genetics_and_coat_color_120610-11524

Great Intro

http://www.whitehorseproductions.com/equinecolor.html

(Kirsten Wellman’s excellent resource!)

http://equinetapestry.com/

(Lesli Kathman’s awesome color and genetics info)

Happy Painting everyone!  Please leave a comment whether or not you are part of the painting party!