This is all about what you want. I can customize a model after your horse, a friend’s horse, or your dream horse. There are only two things I require from you: 1) photos, of course, and 2) a final decision on what stance you want! You can be as involved as you like, or you can send me some pictures and say, “I’ll leave it up to you. Just make the model!”
1) What’s your customization process?
Eventually I will have an official website, and there will be a “live preview” application where you can go pick out what stance you want, which direction you want the ears, what kind of mane and tail, etc. Until then, I can whip out sketches and send them until we get just the right one. I am presently working on outline sketches for the walk, trot, canter, etc that I will post once they are completed.
Once we have the desired stance I will pick out a model from one of several discount model sites (this is where most of the cost for customization comes from). When it arrives, Phase 1 beings: with the help of a heat gun and dremmel tool, I will move limbs, heads and necks to position them where they need to be. At this time ears and hooves are also carved.
After Phase 1, Phase II starts: filling in any gaps created by the repositioning of body parts.
Phase III is the most arduous: filling dents and divots and sanding until the models is smooth and flawless.
Finally we reach Phase IV, and my personal favorite: painting. I use oils because I love the depth of the colors, but I’m about to begin experimenting with pastels. Between every coat the model is covered with a clear coat 1) to help the paint dry and 2) to give the next coat of paint something to stick to. A model can have anywhere between two and ten+ coats of paint depending on the color and shade of the horse. After all that, each model gets two protective clear coats. Matte finish is standard, but I can do glossy upon request (the matte does give the model a bit of a natural glow, hence why I’m not as inclined to do gloss).
2) About how long does a customization take?
Typically it takes two to three weeks. Because some steps require a model set for a certain length of time (i.e. waiting for filler to dry so it can be sanded, etc), I can work on multiple models at once. The main time determining factor is how drastic parts are moved and if the model requires major gap fillage and “remuscling.” If it’s minor, I can finish in a week.
I operate on a first-come, first-serve basis, thus whoever comes to me first is at the top of the list, and so-on and so-forth.
3) About how much would it cost?
Let’s get down to the brass tack and talk pricing. As a rule, the average customization will cost $55 to $75, a very competitive price—with no loss of detail and quality. The amount of material required to fix major adjustments (or for new body parts) is the ultimate deciding factor. As mentioned previously, I’ll pick a model at a discount price, which will give you the base cost. If you want a truly personalized model made from “scratch”, or a resin model, (which requires the making of a wire armature, etc) the price will increase because of the amount of material used and because of the weight. Everything is included in the final price: customization, time, materials AND shipping.
4) How do you ship the models?
Your usual priority mail (included in the final price). Expedited will cost you a few more pennies. I package the models with as much padding and protection as possible (I have found wrapping it first with syran-wrap is the best protection against ear and hoof rubs while in transit!)
5) Do you take special requests?
“Special requests” is what HGA is all about. I only work on my own personal customizations to give examples of my work and when I’m not working on a project. Client models come first!
6) Can you do anything else besides customize models?
Before I took up customizing, I was doing oil paintings and pencil drawings. While horses are my forte, I have also done cats and dogs. But I’m not afraid of taking on a new challenge!
