DIY: Modifying store-bought Breyer accessories

Hey Magicians!
Yeah, it's happened to all of us.  We order a product or set from Breyer, and when it arrives, we are secretly disappointed.  The product isn't detailed enough, or its colors just don't look right.
Well, worry no more!  Just because a product was bought from Breyer doesn't mean it can't be improved.  There are many ways that you can repaint and modify standard Breyer products to make them more realistic and interesting.

Here are some examples, outlined in photos that I took before and after repainting a number of  Breyer accessories that have come in various sets.  You can do this with pretty much anything, the only rules are that you have to spray the plastic with matte sealer before AND after painting with acrylics, otherwise the paint will scratch off.  You can do this with jumps, tack sets, riders... the sky's the limit!

A boring green plastic jump...

...gets a pole repaint and looks much better.

A kinda cheesy-looking bright blue-and-green roll top jump...

...becomes a bit classier.

Some solid brown plastic tack sets...

...get remade into a black set and a variegated brown set.

Two English riders...

...get new coats and some details.

Two plain-Jane cowboys...

...are ready for the rodeo.

A lackluster rodeo clown...

...gets a colorful makeover.

Repainting store-bought accessories is one of the easiest ways to add some unique detail to your collection, particularly if you're trying to stage photos.  The sculpting on these miniatures is generally pretty incredible, but gets covered up by bad paint jobs.  Good thing it's so easy to fix!

As always, feel free to comment below or email me at modelhorsemagic@gmail.com.
 And don't forget to check out my YouTube channel, Miniature_Magic, for unboxing vids, collection tours, DIY tutorials, and more!
Bye Magicians!

~Miniature_Magic

Quick Update with Custom Repaints!

Hey Magicians!
I hope everyone is doing okay in these crazy times.  Stay well, you guys.

Anyway, since I haven't posted in a VERRRY long time (y'know, cause of school and the pandemic), I thought I'd let you guys know I'm still alive and doing art.
So, in this post, I'll share some before-and-after pictures of a couple of Stablemates that I've customized recently.
A few were bought unpainted from Breyer, and a few were rescued off of Ebay.  Most of the Ebay ones had some paint or primer on them already (like someone started customizing and then gave up) so if there's paint in the "before" photo, that's why.
And I'm sorting them by name, cause why not?

Deadbolt:

Diadem:

Dottie (No 'before' photo, but she was from the "Paint Your Own Farm" kit and plain white.)

 Flashbolt:

Neon Machine:

I repainted another horse called No Two Horns recently, but I'm going to make a separate post for him, because he's special and has background info.  ;)  More to follow.

As always, feel free to comment below or email me at modelhorsemagic@gmail.com.
 And don't forget to check out my YouTube channel, Miniature_Magic, for unboxing vids, collection tours, DIY tutorials, and more!
Bye Magicians!

~Miniature_Magic

Horses and Cowboys makeover!

Hi Magicians!

This is the other part of the makeover story I just posted on YouTube!  (Find the truck and trailer makeover at: https://youtu.be/hPNGDoR46JQ)

Along with the truck and trailer, I also made over three horses, two cowboys, and a few accessories (mainly just to have some props for the final photoshoot!)

Anyway, I thought I'd post some of the process here so y'all could have a look at how I work.  Enjoy!

This is the first cowboy, Tommy.  The poor guy's been broken in half for a few years now.  Rest in pieces, Tommy.  :'(














Harry's in much better shape.

 This Arabian mare, Outlaw, is about 4" tall.  She used to be seal brown, but I turned her into a sparkly unicorn a few years ago.  It's been fun, but I think it's time she got her natural color back!

The next two horses both came with the truck and trailer that I made over on YouTube.  This first one, Rocket, used to be palomino, but I repainted her with metallic acrylics.  She'll be returning to palomino today.




























The second horse, River, used to be a bay Appaloosa.  He had a more drastic makeover - I chopped off his mane and tail and replaced them with yarn wefts.  Today, I'll be restoring his spots and replacing his wefts.

 First things first!  I glued Tommy back together.  What a relief!






I used acrylic paints to change the color of his shirt and bring in some extra detail.

Same goes for Harry.

























I peeled off  the gems and  horn and used hot water to dissolve the glitter off of Outlaw.  Then, I used a sanding block to smooth out the surface.








Here she is with a primer coat of white acrylic.















The first pass of black.



















Second pass of black, with white markings starting to emerge.













Last pass - all the details come out, including some red highlights in the mane and tail.













With a coat of matte sealant, and gloss on her eyes, she's done!

For Rocket, I started by sanding down the glitter.













Priming coat.

First pass with that rich palomino gold.
















Second pass: the markings and white mane and tail start to appear.














Last pass: the details, including the molded-on bridle.

Sealed and complete!

River started with some sanding too.
















I didn't prime him all the way because he's going to be a dark color and I didn't want the paint to get to thick.

First pass.  I left his rump blank, since that's going to be white later anyway.

Second pass.  The edge of the palomino blanket comes out, along with the namesake river of white down his face.

Last pass: the details, including the spots and muzzle pinking.
















I made wefts from wool yarn and hot glue.

His hair looked a little crazy at first!...

...But some trimming and styling calmed it down a little.  All done!

The horses and trailer also came with some  tack and accessories.


































I repainted them as well.

 Well, Magicians, I hope you had fun looking at these pictures!
I'll try to post again soon, though this summer's looking busy.  Until next time!  :)

New YouTube video: All of my Custom Stablemates!

Hi Magicians,
I just posted a detailed tour of all my custom Stablemates!  It was a requested video, and a lot of fun to make.  Enjoy!  :)
~Miniature_Magic

New Video ~ Breyer Stablemates English Play Set Box Opening and Review

I just put up a new video on YouTube - it's a review of the Breyer Stablemates English Playset.  I had a lot of fun unboxing and reviewing this awesome set!  Blue roans and palominos are so pretty~

New Breyer Stablemates unboxing and review up on YouTube!

Hey Magicians!  I just uploaded a new unboxing and review video of three Breyer Stablemates painting kits to my YouTube channel!

In this video, I'll show you two of the Paint & Play kits, the Spirit Paint & Play 3-piece assortment, and the Paint Your Own Farm kit.  Exciting stuff!