Add Resins To Your Model Horse Collection
Commercial Resins and Artist Resins Are Popular With Hobbyists
Apr 29, 2009
Resin horses are made from a mold of an original sculpture, not unlike the way plastic and ceramic models are made. But most resins are solid instead of hollow, so the bigger ones can be quite heavy.
The unique resin material captures even tiny details like hair texture, skin wrinkles and veins that plastic and china simply cannot reproduce. This durable material also allows the casting of thinner ears and more slender legs. The downside is that the paint finish can be quite fragile and easily scratched.
Commercial Resin and Artist Resin Horses
There are two types of resin models. First, there are the commercially made, usually mass produced horses. They are sold already painted, although often they are available in many colours and patterns. They may be designed by one artist or several artists.
Artist resins are generally limited to under 100 castings from a single sculpture, sometimes as few as 10. Once the mold becomes worn, it is destroyed and no additional copies of the sculpture are made. There are exceptions where multiple molds are made, but a low number of castings is the norm.
Instead of being sold under a brand name, the sculptures are individually named, then the resin s made from them are marketed under the artist’s name — for example, “Independence, Tennessee Walker by artist Sarah Rose” or “Rabbani, Arabian by artist Trish Forsyth”. Although some will be painted by the sculpting artist and then sold, most are sold unpainted, then finished by other artists.
To find examples of artist resin horses, check out the Equine Resin Directory and follow the links.
Popular Commercial Resin Horses
North Light horses from Stoke-on-Trent, England, are well known. They vary in quality. Some are not quite good enough to live show, but the best of the North Light horses are exceptionally good. They come in a huge number of colours and patterns and, for an extra charge, the factory will even paint one to your specifications, making it one of a kind. Newer ones are sold as North Light by Wade.
Border Fine Arts come from the border region of Scotland. Most of their horses are mounted on bases which in turn are mounted on wooden plinths. Some are sold under the Enesco brand. Many feature entire scenes rather than just one animal. Many BFA horses are sculpted by well-known British equine artists, such as David Mayer and David Geenty. The quality is excellent.
Black Horse Ranch horses are from Nevada, USA, and made from original sculptures by Karen Grimm. They are done in a distinctive artistic style that is very bold. These are no longer in production, but a few are still available for purchase from the artist. They are finished in a high gloss which helps protect the paint.
Horse-Power Graphics of California has a small number of molds, but they are offered in a rainbow of realistic colours. They are in interesting poses and show a lot of personality, making them popular with collectors. They come in both matte and glossy finish. Unlike many resins, even the matte finish is quite resistant to damage. They are all designed by Sheryl Leisure.
Other companies that manufacture resin model horses include Sandicast (USA) and Country Artists (England).
Most commercial resins are in the $30 to $100 range, but small ones are often less expensive. A careful shopper may find excellent resin horses made by less well known companies for a modest price. Sometimes all they need is a new paint job to make them live show quality.
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