Copperfox 10 Day Challenge! - Minis, minis everywhere!

 Post 5 of my Copperfox 10 Day Challenge.

Day 5:  Create something for your models or try a new skill

The model horse hobby is full of things to create both for your models or using your models. Today's the day to be brave and have a go at creating that jump for your models or to have a go at painting your horses hooves.

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I've been procrastinating again, apologies! I knew I'd never manage to do consecutive posts for this but I did hope I'd manage to get them all done in a reasonable amount of time! (For some reason this post accidentally submitted itself before I'd even finished writing it, so apologies if you clicked on it earlier and wondered why there was nothing there!)

To my credit, I've been struck down with the lurgy this week and spent most of yesterday in bed as my entire body felt choked up, heavy and just bleurghhhhhh in general. I still feel pretty rotten but the show must go on as they say!

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I haven't made a lot recently, but I have two commissioned Schleich scale dioramas to start on soon, as well as some miniature flowers for someone else, in addition to a super secret project that has a swiftly looming deadline!

I always find time for minis though, especially as I've been really getting into the super tiny ones, intended for model railways and the like. They're expensive for their size, but incredibly detailed and depending on the manufacturer you can get some in a variety of shapes, sizes and poses which makes for some good performance prospects.

Compared to Breyer Mini Whinnies they're positively minuscule, but just look at the difference in sculpting!

Some of them have sculpted on tack which is both a blessing and a curse because there's no way I'd be able to make anything that small, but at the same time, sometimes I'd have preferred them without any.

Most people don't like painting micros because of their size but I love the challenge, especially as a good camera will pick up EVERY detail.

This one was done with acrylics and pastels.

 I went to a model railway show the other day (which my next post will be about, hopefully) and came away with a selection of new minis.

The shetlands were about a tenner, which, being the cheapskate that I am, I was loathe to pay, but come on, how often do you see micro mini ponies?!

They'll all be customised,and I'm hoping to show some at the Copperfox tour live show in a couple of months. In light of this, I've been working on a few dioramas...

I found a really nicely shaped bottle lid the other day and knew it had the potential to be something more interesting, so I turned it into a beach one afternoon.

I'm actually customising this horse and rider combo at the moment, but this is how they looked in their original finish. The riders are removable, which is SO handy.

I've also been working on a cross country water jump. Alas, I accidentally mucked up the water after these photos were taken (I put on another layer and smudged it before it was fully dry! D:) so I've had to take the water off it and start again which is a pain.

Hopefully I'll get it looking more respectable soon, I'm really pleased with it otherwise!

Copperfox 10 Day Challenge! - My favourite model photos

 Post 4 of my Copperfox 10 Day Challenge.

Day 4: Your Favourite Model Horse Picture

What is your most favourite model horse picture? Maybe you already have one or maybe you can create a new one?

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As anyone who knows this blog (or my Flickr account!) can testify, I take a lot of photos of my models. Indeed, the album of my Julip photos on Flickr currently contains a whopping 8587 images, and my general non Julip model horse one has a 'mere' 1080!

(The sad part is, that's not even all of them, I have hundreds I haven't uploaded for whatever reason or another)

I love nothing more than setting up scenes and trying to make my models look like the real thing - something which I know some people must find frustrating, given that the main focus of my collection is on distinctly stylised models rather than realistically sculpted ones.

Regardless, I've got plenty that I think blur the line between model and reality, and even if they're still obviously models, I'm proud of them anyway. This will probably end up being a phenomenally photocentric post, so apologies in advance!

They're in no particular order really, and all very different, but these are the photos I think I'm most proud of taking over the years. (and yes, there really are a lot, I'm so sorry, I can't choose only a couple!)

Copperfox 10 Day Challenge! - Be a Model Horse

 Post 3 of the Copperfox 10 Day Challenge

Day 3:  Be a Model Horse 

Imagine yourself as a model horse.
What colour would you be? What mould would you be created on? What scale?

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As challenges go, this one isn't all that hard.

 Being a rather rotund individual with often untameable hair, the only logical conclusion to draw would be some kind of Cob...

The lovely Smudge, who I used to ride on holiday until he was sold.

...or Highland Pony... 

The even lovelier Carlung Feargus who is pretty much my dream stallion. Swoon.

I do love a good chunky Clydesdale though too, so it's a toss-up between those three.

No idea who this one is, but all the others had captions so I didn't want it to feel left out. XD

Of course this question is really about models, not real horses, and I think I've found the perfect mould.

The Julip Cob mare is chunky, well rounded and not tremendously flexible - all attributes I share!

Rather aptly, it was a photo of Carlung Feargus above that I sent in as a colour reference when I ordered up Rhona here.

As far as colour is concerned, my hair is a very dark brown, with lighter highlights during the summer, so perhaps a dun on seal bay would be appropriate?

Of course black dun (mouse dun or grulla) is one of my favourite shades of dun...

...and they, like most duns, show frosting on their manes and tail which kinda count as highlights, right?

So basically I already have my own model-me!

Copperfox 10 Day Challenge! - Yard Tour!

 Post 2 of my Copperfox 10 Day Challenge.

Day 2:  Name your model or barn

'Have a go at naming the most recent addition to your herd by giving them a show name, stable name and pet name. As further ideas, why not do the same for your barn or stable yard and then make a barn tour video?'

I've already named my yard and most of its inhabitants, but I thought a yard tour might be a nice idea for a post. I don't have it all set out permanently so a video wouldn't be very easy to manage, but I can definitely show it off using the medium of photographs!

Copperfox 10 Day Challenge! - Inspiration Day

 Copperfox posed a very interesting challenge this week, so I thought I'd give it a go.

I'm a little behind on this one so I'm going to put each day into an individual post and pretend I posted them on different days... XD

Day 1:  Inspiration Day

 'An easy start to our challenge! Find something that inspires you. It could be a picture of an unusual colour of horse that you would like to turn into a model, a how-to tutorial video or a piece in your favourite magazine about collecting things that you love. Or it could be a song, film, piece of poetry- whatever it is, find something that gets your creativity going!'

As we can choose to interpret this challenge in whatever way we like, I'm going to dedicate this post to just a few of the many blogs that inspire and encourage me to try new things.

In no particular order...

The Luckenbach Ranch - I'm not going to lie, I think this one contributed the most to my love of realistic model horse photography. I remember when I first got into the hobby and discovered Juliane Gartska's website and my jaw literally dropped. To me, these are the most realistic models in the hobby, hands down. As you'll all know, I love setting up scenes with my models and figures but nobody does it quite as well as she!

The Ivorytower Stables -  Gorgeous horses with great character and equally fantastic settings, riders and tack, I always love seeing what's new and I really enjoy seeing all the restored customs and vintages. Haired models ftw!

Braymere Custom Saddlery - I don't think I'd ever tire of reading Jennifer's blog, there's always something new, funny or interesting to see, (very often all rolled into one post!) whether its her gorgeous dogs frolicking in the snow, photos from live shows and real horse events or the ever popular saddle rats, and her tack tips are incredibly easy to follow. 

Shoestring Stable - As a big fan of all things DIY in the hobby, Leah's blog is one of my favourites. She has such a varied skill set and it shows in the huge range of customs and tack and showing reports that nestle alongside pictures of cats and ponies! XD

Desktop Stables - One of my absolute favourite blogs, Nichelle's attention to detail in all that she makes is incredible, and I love that she very often posts printables and other tutorials as well as very generous giveaways!

Otterine's Miniatures - By far one of my favourite miniaturists - Brae's work is second to none, and I love the way the construction of each new project is documented

MitchyMoo Miniatures - Another mini blog I never tire of, Pepper's work is fantastic, and like Brae above, all her makes are wonderfully explained and documented - much to the appreciation of those like me who cannot cut straight lines to save themselves. XD

Fabulously Small - The name of this blog speaks for itself really, and the mini hand cream I've linked to there still shocks me by just how tiny and perfect it is! I use the full size version myself and wow, I never fail to be impressed by what I see on that blog!

Studio E Miniatures - As a real life hoarder of things and lover of clutter, I absolutely adore seeing doll's houses bursting at the seams with stuff, and so, Elizabeth's scenes are right up my street. You can get lost in a single picture, wondering what's behind that vase, or just out of view!

Amber's House - I love, love, love this blog - so many tutorials and guides - can you believe most, if not all of the objects in the blog header were made from paper?!

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That's only a fraction of the blogs I follow, and I'd encourage you all to check them out, even if they're not related to your own hobby!