The calm before the storm

Today was warm, quiet and productive. The calm before the storm.

Seeing spots

Click here to read about my NaMoPaiMo painting plan.

My NaMoPaiMo sign-up

Click here to view my annual NaMoPaiMo sign up post.

Helping hands

My horse is adorable and also very tolerant.

Puppers and Pipers

Five puppers, two Pipers.

Proof of life photos

I have the best barn buddies. 

Eurosplurge

My mustang would rather eat sticks than grain, but I know that deep down she really appreciates fine things from Europe.

Tutorial Tuesday: Basecoats by Kristen Cermele

This year's first Tutorial Tuesday post comes from NaMoPaiMo staff member, Kristen Cermele. Thanks, Kristen!

The joy of painting

I really love this guest post by Elaine Lindelef, and I hope it convinces someone to take a chance and join NaMoPaiMo.

How Shana turned Breyers into a real horse

I love this so much!

Dexter: New blood

Piper's having a tough week. 

Krista Wasco

Krista Wasco was a loving mom, fierce advocate, loyal friend and accomplished tackmaker. The hobby community is not the same without her.

Unbirthday

Today was complicated.

NaMoPaiMo is coming

It's only two weeks away! 

Customizing Schleichs

Today's guest post is a basic overview of customizing Schleichs and similar models by New Zealand hobbyist, Emily Heckler. 

Two month Oliversary

Olive is the sweetest pocket pony, but her Mustang instincts remain intact.

Matchy

Yep, I'm that kind of horse owner.

It's a drag

Who knew arena maintenance could be this fun?

Alternatives to Bondo

In today's guest post, Shauna McDaniel explores a multitude of options for filling pinholes.

NaMoPrepMo

Prepping is the worst part of painting, but I am making progress.

NaMoShopMo

NaMoPaiMo is only twenty days away. Today, Piper and I went shopping for prepping and painting supplies.

Oils on a deadline

It's NaMoPaiMo season, which means it's painting tips and tutorial season. In today's post, NaMoPaiMo staff member, Kristen Cermele, explains how to paint a horse quickly with slow drying oils. 

Real quick

Real quick post. Real quick visit.

Weekend Showcase: Dee Crawley

Today's post celebrates the work of Dee Crawley. She was one of the finest tack makers this hobby has ever seen.

2022 goals

I didn't make any New Year's resolutions this year, but I do have goals and aspirations for my blog, my hobby and and my horse. 

How many likes?

I always thought I was the artist in the family, but my work has never been displayed in a gallery.

Almost wordless Wednesday

All the snow photos!

Grace and Skye's NaMoPaiMo, part one

Grace and Skye ponder their NaMoPaiMo selections, and then spend the afternoon with Mustangs. I could not approve more.

Dee Crawley

The hobby lost one of it's most talented, generous and gracious members last night. I am so sad.

NaMoPaiMo 2022

(Almost) everything you need to know about this year's pony painting party. 

New Year's day

2022 is off to a good start. 

Links to Model Horse Painting Tutorials

Finishwork Tutorials

Getting Started

A Beginner's Guide to Painting Model Horses

Safety first

Basecoat basics

Basecoats by Kristen Cermele

Finishwork supplies and storage

Makeup brushes + painting pots

How to make a wet palette
How to make brush cleaning cans

Prepping, priming, signing, sealing
Prepping 101 by Anne Field

Prepping with Mindy Berg
Prepping tips and tricks
Prepping with "messo"

Alternatives to Bondo for Filling Pinholes by Shauna McDaniel
How to cover exposed wires while prepping
Prepping tools by Charlotte Donahue

The pre-primer bath
Priming without priming your fingers

Priming in cold weather by Kristen Cermele
Priming

How to sign your work

Sealing your work by Meghan Namaste

Painting with traditional media
Oil painting 101 with Jennifer Scott

Oil painting starter kit

The lazy painter's guide to oils by Allie Davidson

All about oils, part one

All about oils, part two

Oil painting on a deadline by Kristen Cermele
Painting with craft paint by Bobbie Allen

Painting with pastels
Pastel pointers
Painting with colored pencils

Mixed media and airbrushing

Troubleshooting your airbrush by Karen Zorn

Painting with alternative media

Painting with metallic powders by Shauna McDaniel

Painting with metallic leaf

Silver and gold leafing tutorial by Sara Gifford

Electroforming by Hope Swinth

Flocking with Amaryllis Khat

General painting tips

How to paint better by Melanie Miller

Another way to paint better

Tips for seeing the tiny details

How to realistically shade your model by Sara Gifford

Painting with unexpected colors

Painting the same thing over and over by Kirsten Edismoe

The art of never starting over by Stephanie Blaylock

Painting clean edges and tight spaces by Erica Baird

Photoshop assisted painting by Kenzie Williamson and Kristen Taylor

Hair by hair painting with Elżbieta Zarzecka

Painting specific colors
Fleabitten grey by Stephanie Blaylock
Painting a bay with pastels by Nikki Button
Painting a bay with an airbrush by Kristen Taylor
Painting a dapple grey with pastels and pencils by Zane Lahdenranta
Painting a bay with oils by Lynn Cassels-Caldwell
Painting an Appaloosa with pastels by T.J. Hurst

Painting a not so boring chestnut by Allie Davidson

Painting a bay by Stephanie Blaylock, part one

Painting a bay by Stephanie Blaylock, part two

Painting a bay by Stephanie Blaylock, part three

Painting black without black paint

Painting an Appaloosa with T.J. Hurst

Painting details
Painting white markings by Meghan Namaste

How to paint detailed grey hooves

Painting shell colored hooves with Heather Bullach

Painting flat bottomed hooves with Stephanie Blaylock
How to paint hoof stripes by Charlotte Donahue

Painting eyes with Stephanie Blaylock

Painting eyes with Heather Bullach
How to paint blue eyes by Emma Stovall
How to paint brown eyes by Isaac Brushett

Painting facial details by DeeAnn Kjelshus
How to pink noses by Laura Skillern
How to paint a multi-colored tail by Laura Skillern

Don't forget the chestnuts! by Kristen Cermele

Painting the chestnuts by Lauren Hoeffer

Finishing touches

Hairing a model, part one by Levi Kroll

Hairing a model, part two by Levi Kroll

Hairing a model, part three by Levi Kroll

How to make a custom base, part one by by Grace Bogumil-Bisnath

How to make a custom base, part two by by Grace Bogumil-Bisnath

How to make a custom base, part two by by Grace Bogumil-Bisnath

Making a custom base with Mindy Berg

Making a custom water base with Irina Veksler