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Etching the Model Horse: Beyond Collecting

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What is etching?

In the mid- to late 90's a model horse customization craze peaked in popularity. Rather than simply painting pinto or spotted patterns on models, some artists began removing factory original paint finish to expose the white plastic beneath by a painstaking, slow and exact process known as etching.

When other model horse collectors saw artist's works selling for great prices on eBay, they saw an opportunity that "anyone" could do, unlike painting, and hundreds of lesser quality "etchies" flooded the eBay market. The trend has all but died out, with few people still etching today.

back to model horses | collecting | customizing | showing

Etching is an art

It is very important that the amateur who would like to try their hand at model horse etching is very familiar with a real horses' hair coat.

The hairs grow in different directions at various places on a horse, and the faint lines that represent "hairs" on a model horse must run in the same direction as they would on an actual horse for the representation to be lifelike.

The simple etch

The term simple etch refers to the method of etching where the paint is only affected in the areas where the model is to show white. This is very commonly done with basic pinto coat patterns.

Although considered unprofessional by some, a simple etch can be a LSQ work if the pattern is well-executed and believable.

(Model horse shows: click here)

The full etch

A full etch refers to a model that is nearly entirely covered with etched "hairs" including the areas that are colored. Great care must be taken to not remove paint but only to give the appearance of a smooth, barely textured hair coat. The exception to this is when a model is made into a "roan" which is literally mixed white and colored hairs all over the body.

This generally takes MANY more hours than a simple etch, and these models are more expensive. However, if done improperly, the model still won't do well in live showing, no matter how long it took the artist.

Pages devoted to etching

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Etching Tips :: Fallen Leaves

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My etchies of the past

I have not etched in a long time due to wrist pain and lack of time to dedicate to the hobby, but when I was a work-at-home mom I etched and sold quite a few models on eBay.

Want to give it a try?

You'll need a very sharp tool (Xacto knives work well, but exercise extreme care) and a victim. Breyer Stablemates work well due to the low cost, but if you want to practice more detail, go for a Breyer Classics model.
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Etching has the most eye-popping effect on black, dark bay and brown models. But, they also show your mistakes in alarming detail. Practicing on lighter colored horses such as gray and tan (palomino, dun) to start with might produce more satisfactory results. Even horses that already have large white areas can be etched-touch up the fuzzy edges with tiny hairs for realism.

What's your opinion of etching?

Is etching an art form?

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Looks easy. I bet any fool can etch a show quality pattern.

Wow, I can see how that could be as difficult as painting!

LaraineRose says:

I used to sketch horses when I lived on the farm. I know that everyone can draw a stick horse (well perhaps not everyone) but I think etching would be so much harder.

Posted January 30, 2008

 

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