Start to finish with Stephanie Blaylock, part three

This is the final post in Stephanie Blaylock's Start to Finish series. Thank you, Stephanie, for once again showing us how it's done. This year - and every year - your contributions to the NaMoPaMo community are invaluable. I don't know what we'd do without you!

Start to Finish

by Stephanie Blaylock

We are really in the home stretch now. I am adding thin layers of white to my foal's legs...

and painting hooves.

Here's a quick and easy way to paint shell colored hooves. This is my base color.

I use a flat paintbrush because I want a line where the coronet band is.

One coat.

For the next layer, I use a brick colored pastel stick that I've had in my stash for years. I do not remember the brand, but it's literally the color of a brick.

I go over the yellow, and I do not seal.

At this point, I go ahead and pour a little out varnish. I’ll need it in a minute.

I use this grey for the bottoms of the hooves.

I apply it with a small, stiff brush.

Still no sealer.

Now I varnish. Because I haven’t sealed the pastel, it “floats” with the varnish and smooths out and blends. I even varnish the bottom because I will be sealing over the whole foot later which will take it back to flat which is when I add details and then a final varnish again.

They are all a little different, just like real hooves. 

Pretty enough to stop here.

However, if you want to keep going, you can add more detail with colored pencils.

I've softened the line around the coronet band and added hoof growth rings.

A dry paintbrush softens the pencil.

I finish was a couple more thin acrylic washes then seal the hoof. The important thing to remember is that hooves aren’t perfect. There are lots of imperfections and growth rings. Don’t get too tidy or it will look fake. The process is more about a feel than anything I can show you. Honestly, it just takes practice.

Back to baby... she's got feetz!

I also use the pencils to add details to her mane and tail.

Then finally, the baby is finished!

 

But is she really finished?? Who knows. I’m a bad tweaker. I don't know when to stop. 

But for the sake of these photos, let's say she is finished.

I’m just in love with this sweet mold. There will be more in the future for sure. 

Now maybe I can start on that NaMoPaiMo horse!