There are several ways thread manes and tails are done. Some customizers will add the mane and tail before the model is painted, just like you would a sculpted mane and tail, and then paint over it. The method I use more closely follows a model that would be hair prepped, painted completely and then the mane and tail are added. So.....mane first, start with your model, painted, sealed and otherwise ready to go.
Well, I said some time ago I would do a tutorial on thread manes and tails, and I've finally gotten around to it. Bear with me, I may not be the best at explaining how I work. That's why I'm including LOTS of photos. :-) If at any point there is confusion, please feel free to email me with questions. Ok, so here goes.... There are several ways thread manes and tails are done. Some customizers will add the mane and tail before the model is painted, just like you would a sculpted mane and tail, and then paint over it. The method I use more closely follows a model that would be hair prepped, painted completely and then the mane and tail are added. So.....mane first, start with your model, painted, sealed and otherwise ready to go. Next, I round up my supplies...glue, embroidery thread in whatever color (s) you want the mane and tail to be, scissors, a comb, and a toothpick will come in handy later. Cut the loops at the ends of embroidery thread so you have two separate bunches of thread. Cut one of the bunches in half again. Hold one end of the shorter bunches of thread (fairly tightly) and run the comb through it to separate all the individual threads. Do this with both bunches of shorter thread. what you'll end up with should look like this. If you are mixing colors this is a good time to do that. Hold the now separated thread bunch in one hand and cut one end off evenly. Apply a small amount of glue to this end (just enough to hold the threads together). To help them stick you can use your index finger and thumb to press together. When the glue had dried, make small cuts into the glued end (parallel with the length of the thread), no more than 1/8" wide. Once you've made these cuts into all the thread, separate the thread once again at each cut. You will end up with several small groups of thread about 1/8" wide. You are now ready to apply the thread to the model. Starting at the withers, run a small line of glue up the neck for the first few small bunches of thread. Place individual groups of thread parallel with the neck starting at the withers and working up. Continue this process until you reach the point of the bridle path. At this point run a small line of glue from the top of the last group of threads you attached to just in between the ears. At the point between the ears, place a small group of thread. This will be part of the forelock. Next lay a group of thread along the lenth of the rest of the glue for the bridle path, with then end handing out over the face between the ears. Let all the glue dry completely before moving on. Once the glue is dry, you can trim up the bottom of the thread to the approximate length you'd like the mane. Be sure to make your cuts up into the thread and not across because cutting across will give your mane a blunt end. This is also the time when you can run the comb through the mane and pull out any loose threads. Now the real fun begins....dampen the thread with water. Run several lines of glue down the length of the mane, don't be stingy you want to saturate the thread with glue. Now you can start shaping the mane. You can do small sections at a time or do the whole mane at once, whatever you are more comfortable with. The water you dampened the thread with will extend the drying time of the glue somewhat, but you'll want to work fairly quickly. This is when your toothpick comes in handy to separate threads and move them around where you want them. Once you have the thread lying how you want it, clean off any excess glue from your model with a damp cloth. Let everything dry thoroughly. It will set up fairly hard. You can then carefully trim away any stray threads Part 2 will be doing a thread tail.....stay tuned...
1 Comment
Serbella McGee
6/4/2011 10:34:43 am
Thanks so much for explaining how to do a thread mane! I'm looking forward to the next installment on thread tails.
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AuthorI've lived in the rural midwest my whole life, and have always had a love for horses. I've owned several over the years, and currently have an AQHA gelding. I live on 10 acres with my husband, daughter, three horses, a yorkie, a chihuahua and whatever cat happens to drift in looking for something to eat. Archives
June 2011
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