How to Paint Your OMAX Hero
Tips
Painting your OMAX Hero is the first step to making it truly yours.
This is a creative journey as much as it is a craft. Your OMAX Hero doesn't need to be perfect — it just needs to tell your story.
Remember, this isn't a quick 5-minute task. Take your time, relax and enjoy the painting journey and celebrate your equine hero in your own colour.
What We Provide
- OMAX Hero model horse
- Five acrylic paints and an empty tub for colour mixing
- Two paint brushes (medium flat + small detail brush)
What You May Need
- Gloves, paper towels, clean cloth
- Cup of clean water for rinsing brushes
- Additional acrylic paints, palette or brushes that suits your preference
- Optional: a spray varnish to seal and protect the finish
Beginner's Guide
Step 1 — Preparation
Set up all materials on a clean, flat surface.
Choose the equine hero you wish to paint.
If you're painting a horse inspired by a real racehorse, have the reference images ready.
If you're creating a horse of your own, have your imagination ready!
Step 2 — Mix and Test Colours
Your set includes five acrylic paints based on the most common thoroughbred colours: Black, Brown, Bay, Chestnut, and White.
Take a small amount of paint onto the empty tub or a palette, and mix it to your desired shade.
Avoid mixing directly in the white paint tub as you will need the white paint later for markings.
Test the colour on scrap paper to check tone and thickness. This is the fun part to find the best colour to match your Hero!
Step 3 — Apply Base Coat
Use the medium flat brush to apply a thin, even layer of paint in one direction.
Avoid over-brushing the same area to prevent streaks.
Start with light-based coats and apply several thin layers rather than a thick one.
Allow each coat to dry completely before applying the next.
Step 4 — Add Details
Switch to the small brush for finer areas as well as the unique markings of each horse.
Face and Leg Marking
Natural markings are a common identifier for horses which can be separate or joined.
“The probabilities are that five out of every six horses presented for description will have some white markings.” — ASB
To read further information on Natural Marking from the Australian Stud Book, please see Page 8-9 of this link: Australian Stud Book (PDF)
Remember to paint the chestnut. A small detail brings authenticity to your Hero.
Eye
Use dark brown as the base colour, as most horse eyes are naturally this shade. Paint the pupil in black and add a small white highlight to reflect focus and depth.
Hooves
Brush in soft vertical strokes to suggest natural growth. You may use clear nail polish to enhance the texture.
Step 5 — Dry and Finish
Allow the model to air-dry for at least 60 minutes until fully set.
Once dry, you may gently wipe it with a clean cloth and, if you wish, apply a matt spray to seal and protect the finish.
Don’t forget to take a photo of your HERO and register it by tapping your smart phone near the model horse!