Photoshop assisted painting

There are as many ways to paint a model horse as there are model horse painter. A lot of painters go completely old school. Others use a whole host of modern tools, including photo editing software like Photoshop. In today's first tutorial Tuesday post, Kenzie Williamson of Bridle Tree Studios and Kristen Taylor of Blue Mountain Stable share some of their best Photoshop tricks. 

Photoshop Assisted Color Selection

by Kenzie Williamson

One of the biggest things I’ve struggled with when it comes to painting (especially oil paints!) is getting the correct colors. A really helpful thing I’ve started using is Procreate (eye dropper tool) to create a palette by separating all of the colors I’ll need. You can do the same thing in Photoshop and similar photo editing programs. This really helps to see *all* of the colors that make up your pony. Even on “simple” solids - they are full of different colors! This is my palette for one side of my Tadpole. He will be a mushroom tobiano. This mushroom coloration is only found in Shetlands, and it will be my first time attempting it. ! 

Once I create my palette digitally, then I will begin mixing my paints correcting for tone and color. This video really helped me learn how to mix oil paints to get the right shade! Happy painting, everyone!

Photoshop Assissted Pinto Patterns

by Kristen Taylor

Did you know? Using Photoshop or a similar photo-editing software with a painting feature is a great way to test out pattern ideas for both pintos and appaloosas.

I like to use the paint brush tool in two ways. First, I draw the flow of the pattern in a colored line. Second, I paint with white according to these colored guidelines and then erase and rebuild from there. It's the quickest and fastest way to see how accurate a pattern idea is and how it will look on your exact model. I then print my Photoshop file and use it as a guide while painting the actual model.

These are some great tips. Thank you, Kenzie and Kristen!