Color choices for a "horse" - but not a "real" one.. LOL..

[C.Ann]

Later this coming week - after I finish painting a few other ceramic pieces, I'm going to be starting a piece that centers around a rocking horse..

The horse is fairly large - probably at least 10 inches high - with a large mane and a large tail.. The remainder of the "setting" consists of children's toys around the base of the rocking horse - girls toys on one side, boys toys on the other side..

I've always been partial to pitch black horses, but somehow I'm thinking that would not be appropriate for something that would end up in a nursery or a very young child's room..

All you horse lovers/owners out there - any color suggestions? Keep in mind that I can use a lighter color anywhere on the horse (the body - or just the mane and tail) and then either apply a little darker stain to those areas or "dry brush" them with another color.. I could dry brush either dark or light - depending upon what color I choose to use underneath..

I'm drawing a total blank, because when I think "horse", I think pitch black!!!

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated..
Thanks!

 

[denisem]

Any palomino is a pal of mino. Moving to the "horse capitol of the world" introduced me to the Haflinger:

 

[C.Ann]

Any palomino is a pal of mino. Moving to the "horse capitol of the world" introduced me to the Haflinger:

Beautiful!! I was hoping someone might post some photos..

Thanks!

 

[Jennasis]

We have a Haflinger. Cute guy, but a bit of a butt. SOOOOOoooooooo many choices out there C. Ann. Bays are very popular (brown body with a black mane and tail and black legs). A nice dappled grey? A Paint?

Bay

Dappled grey

Paint

 

[C.Ann]

We have a Haflinger. Cute guy, but a bit of a butt. SOOOOOoooooooo many choices out there C. Ann. Bays are very popular (brown body with a black mane and tail and black legs). A nice dappled grey? A Paint?

Bay

Dappled grey

Paint

Awesome photos!! Thanks for sharing..

I'll have to make time to refer back to this thread when I get ready to start that particular piece..

 

[meliss8599]

Paint

I could totally picture the Paint in a cowboy themed room--very cute! Red bandanas, brown cowboy boots, gold sheriffs badge. But, since you're going for more of a gender neutral, infant/nursery theme, I think the palomino coloring is a gentle and appropriate look for that.

 

[C.Ann]

I could totally picture the Paint in a cowboy themed room--very cute! Red bandanas, brown cowboy boots, gold sheriffs badge. But, since you're going for more of a gender neutral, infant/nursery theme, I think the palomino coloring is a gentle and appropriate look for that.

I was looking at the piece again today and I think I agree with you - palomino may be the best way to go.. Upon further inspection, I noticed there are several other objects that will have to be various shades of browns, so I'm hoping I'll get a better "blend" this way..

Thanks!

 

[crz4mm2]

Any palomino is a pal of mino. Moving to the "horse capitol of the world" introduced me to the Haflinger:

LOVE palominos!!!

 

[locolala]

How about an appaloosa? Might be hard to do but if it comes out right, it'd be GORGEOUS!!

 

[wdwfan16]

Being the horse is a rocking horse and is destined for a nursery I would paint a whimsical horse with bright colors.

 

[malibuconlee]

Well according to my daughter's favorite book "Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See" the yellow ducks sees a blue horse looking at it. LOL

 

[Silent1CB]

I was hoping someone might post some photos..

Then you'll love these. I googled "horse" for you.
Pages of horse photos to enjoy.

http://images.google.com/images?hl=...US:official&um=1&q=horse&sa=N&start=0&ndsp=18

 

[ghoulishgirl]

How about an appaloosa? Might be hard to do but if it comes out right, it'd be GORGEOUS!!

locolala: My favorite breed! Is this your appy? I had a leopard appaloosa too, only her spots were small and chestnut. Started out chestnut with a white blanket, then roaned out.

 

[wdwfan16]

Then you'll love these. I googled "horse" for you.
Pages of horse photos to enjoy.

http://images.google.com/images?hl=...US:official&um=1&q=horse&sa=N&start=0&ndsp=18

I glad that you googled "horse" and not just horse.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

Palomino would be a classic choice. I know my old rocking horse was this color. A variation on this might be what you sometimes see in Rocky Mountain horses (darker brown coat with blonde mane). You also sometimes get bright red chestnuts with blonde mane and tail, but those aren't terribly common. Other options might be dappled grey, with black legs, hooves, mane and tail. If you're looking for some really wild colors, check out Akhal Tekes. They have the most dazzling coats.

 

[C.Ann]

Well I started this project today.. Used what I "thought" was the color of the palomino pictured on this thread (should have tested it on a scrap piece first) and it came out much, much darker.. So - I used "cream" on the mane and tail - then dry brushed it with a mixture of brown and cream.. I then lightly dry brushed the horses body with the same mixture as well (very, very lightly)..

DD likes it - DGD likes it - but I'm not so sure that I like it.. So - I think I'm going to finish all of the other objects surrounding the rocking horse and then make my final decision on whether or not I'm going to change the color of the horse..

One interesting observation.. My acrylic paints take on a different shade when painting on a ceramic piece (which this is) as opposed to some of the plastercraft pieces and resin pieces I've been doing recently.. I'm going to have to scrounge around tomorrow and see if I can find a scrap piece of unpainted ceramic that I can test these paints on if I ever hope to get the "right" shades for the items I'm painting..

Still - I'm really enjoying myself - even though I'm a bit disappointed over the horse..

 

[denisem]

If you're looking for some really wild colors, check out Akhal Tekes. They have the most dazzling coats.

Drop. Dead. Gorgeous. Never heard of the breed, they're truly stunning. Thanks for sharing.