Carousel Horses - Paint Your Way

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Antique carousel horses often sell for thousands of dollars. These beautiful creations large and small are wonderful additions to any collection. Collectors almost will pay any price for the true hand carved horses once displayed on the carousels of yesteryear. Through the miracle of modern technology molds have been produced of these works of art. From these molds grand carousel horses have been recreated. In this article I will show you where to purchase them and guide you through the process.

Anyone with reasonable talent with a paint brush can create an antique reproduction carousel horse. Unpainted or unfinished carousel horse molds can be purchased ready to paint. These molded horses are made of a high density polyethylene which is strong and very forgiving to the finisher. Most of the time the artist is able to make the choice to purchase a horse with seams to sand at a reduced price or choose a ready to paint surface.

Time to create an antique reproduction. Choose the size you desire. Full size, half size or small horses. Full size horses at a full 65 inches high are a very large project. I have seen Elegant Standers and Royal Standers that really do look like the horses we all would ride or stand next to. Half sized unfinished carousel horses are probably the most popular to artists and hobbyist. This size fits real well in baby nurseries and little girls rooms. Most of the horses that I have seen available come complete with the brass pole that runs through the horse.

Let's Get to Painting! There are many ways to finish a carousel horse. Most people like the traditional painted horse that recreates the memory of the Merry Go Round. Some artists are able to locate pictures of actual horses where they are mounted on carousels. Right down to the color of the tail, the picture can be followed to recreate that special horse. Some painters like to reproduce the carved wooden horse effect. Special paints and techniques are available to mimick a real wood surface.One of the last steps is choosing a clear coating to provide a clear shell around the painted finish. Some artists have chosen to take this step a bit further and add multiple coats of gloss creating an almost deep glass effect. Small pictures and material can be added under the gloss to get a desired look.

Creating your own antique carousel horse remake is a very rewarding project. Reproductions horses have sold for hundreds even thousands of dollars. I know of at least two small businesses that have been created finishing and selling these horses.