NaMoPaiMo doesn't begin until February 1 but already it is constantly on my mind. I ask myself so many questions: Am I far along in my prepping in order to complete the challenge? Do I have enough shades of paint for the palomino I envision? How many coats of primer should I put on my model? Will I obliterate my model's details and features if I use too much primer? And so on.
Luckily, I have an official NaMoPaiMo mentor (Beth Peart Weekes) as well as Allison Pareis and other friends who are willing to answer my questions and offer encouragement.
Being a newbie, I didn't realize that we should take and post what is called a "selfie with a nudie" in the NaMoPaiMo Facebook page albums. Jennifer Buxton, creator of NaMoPaiMo and author of the blog Braymere Custom Saddlery posted an entry about her own registration for this year's NaMoPaiMo and that clued me in that I needed to do that.
I took care of that today and got it posted along with the others. Oh, my, there are so many people with gorgeous models to be painted! Just looking at all those photos made me really excited - I cannot wait to see how they all turn out.
Over the weekend I finished sanding and decided that my model was ready for priming. Now, normally, I'd do any spraying of primer or paint outside, but it is January in Indiana and it is too cold for that.
So, I put Sultanna-to-be in a box and placed the box in the bathtub.
I figured that if primer got onto the tub, it would be far easier to clean up than if I got it on the tile, the carpet, or a table.
I sprayed one side of the horse and let it dry for an hour, then flipped it and sprayed the other side. I waited another hour and then stood the model up and sprayed it from the top.
For the final primer spraying, I propped the model up with plastic bags and sprayed the underside and hoof bottoms. This model has tiny frogs in the bottom of each hoof and in some the primer is a little thick and they are harder to see. I may see if I can somehow carve them back out or I may leave them and just paint frogs instead.
I had to run to JoAnn's today - Pony Pal Mila asked me to make her a Belle pillowcase for her bed, and then Ian asked for a Mario Brothers and a Spiderman pillowcases for his, so I had to go get some fabric for that project.
While there, I looked at paint palettes. I'd thought I'd just use a paper plate, but the more I learn, the more I realize that I will be mixing paint colors and that it will be helpful to have something like this for mixing.
I am also looking for something in which to keep my paint brushes, paints, and other supplies. So far I haven't found the right tub, but I will keep looking.
Okay, my pony is prepped and primed. Thinking about actually starting to paint it is more than a little scary!
