I Hand‑Painted This 1/9‑Scale Model Horse

From plain plastic to lifelike pinto—brushwork only, sealed for outdoor photo sessions.

A collector reached out with a simple question: could I hand‑paint a traditional 1/9‑scale model horse in realistic colours—no airbrush, no shortcuts—so it would photograph like a real horse? The answer was yes, and this post walks through the process, from prep to final seal.

Original horse model

The Brief

• Coat: sun‑warmed pinto with believable skin and soft transitions in the white.

• Detail: lifelike eyes, natural hooves, and a braided mane rendered hair‑by‑hair.

• Use: durable enough for short outdoor photo shoots—grass, natural light, wipes clean if dusty.

Scope note: This is an occasional special commission I take alongside my oil paintings.

Materials & Prep

To make paint sit flawlessly on plastic or resin, prep is everything.

• Professional plastic/resin primers tailored to the substrate

• Archival artist pigments, applied in hand‑painted layers (no airbrush)

• Mapping the markings first: reference study, proportional guides, light sketch

• Test swatches for coat warmth and desaturation under daylight
  

My Process (Step‑by‑Step)

1. Planning the coat – I build a mini palette for chestnut, white transitions, skin tones, hoof tints.

2. Underlayers & glazes – ultra‑thin coats to develop depth without plastic shine.

3. Markings & transitions – soft edge control so whites sit naturally on the body.

4. Micro‑details – eye reflections, inner‑ear warmth, muzzle shading, hoof rings, braid texture.

   
   

Typical timeframe: ~4–6 weeks once the model arrives at my Gold Coast studio (season and complexity dependent).

Before → After

Hand‑painted pinto model horse with lifelike detail

Care & Handling

• Handle with clean, dry hands.

• For outdoor photos, keep sessions short; dry the model if it gets damp.

• Avoid prolonged direct sun and abrasive wiping.

• Covered by Australia’s First Lifetime Repair Warranty.
  

Commission Your Own Model Horse

I repaint client‑supplied plastic or resin sculpts (Breyer, traditional 1/9 and other scales) in bay, chestnut, dapple grey, pinto, appaloosa, and more.

How it works

1. Send photos of your unpainted model + your dream coat (front/left/right/back/top).

2. We agree on finish and timeline together.

3. A deposit secures your place in my studio calendar.

4. Post your model to my Gold Coast, QLD studio (include a prepaid return satchel if you prefer).

5. I hand‑paint, share progress, and ship it back to you—Australia‑wide.
   

👉 Ready to begin? Send your photos and we’ll plan the coat, references, and timeline.