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Painting Horses Part 3 |
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DAPPLING, in the old days was always done with a ‘stipple brush’ or a pad but as production increased it was necessary to find a quicker method. Freehand air brushing (a very small spray gun) gave way to a reverse stencil, so the pattern was always consistent and quick. This was probably why many makers used a series of large dots. These could be adhesive backed and arranged in a pattern to be over sprayed with black. When the dots were removed the protected areas showed as a contrast to the Black! Metal discs, fixed to stiff thin wire, in a chosen pattern could be held over an area and over sprayed with Black. With this method, the pattern could be quickly moved to any area. I have made a number of these; to duplicate the patterns used by several makers over the last 90yrs. The number of dots and their arrangement often indicate a particular period of manufacture by a particular maker. If you intend using the stick-on method, removable price stickers will do the job. Check that the glue is removable or they will pull off the paint!
If using the pad method, it is advisable to apply the paint with a brush to another surface and dab the pad on that. This minimizes the amount on the pad and gives a much softer look to the ‘honeycomb’ effect. Once the paint is applied, you cannot wipe it off without destroying the whole lot! Practice on a piece of card and start in the saddle blanket area and radiate out from there so the first effort will be covered. The texture of the pad will also give different effects. A ’stipple brush’ is usually round and the bristles are cut square on the ends, not tapered like a normal brush. Again, a minimum of paint on the bristle and a dabbing action to form small interlocking circles like a honeycomb. The centre of each circle is about the size of a 20c piece. Any repaired damage can easily be disguised this way, as the ‘dapple’ is completely random. The areas most covered are those subject to the most wear or damage, like ears, muzzle, knees and the underside of the legs where the stirrups chip the paint. Very old horses are dappled on the neck where the reins rub and the rump area where a child’s leg would rub when mounting and dismounting. It is usual to coat the whole horse with a clear coat after dappling is completed. Ultraviolet rays affecting the chemicals in the old spirit varnish caused the yellowish tinge on old horses, as did smoke from open fires. You can add a little stain to the clear coat to give the yellowed appearance of age! |
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