I have these two bisque Eberl “Esperanza” spanish mares in the studio, and I decided to sell one of them (which I did). Then I got all inspired to glaze the other one. I decided to try something which has so far frustrated/eluded me in chinapainting: dappling with a paintbrush. (Rather than the airbrush.)

First I airbrushed on two smooth layers of base color and fired that. I’m doing this directly onto the unglazed bisque, and had to add a matting agent to the overglaze paint to keep it matte. (The default on these overglazes is glossy.) Then using a drybrush technique to paint on the dappling, the photo shows the result so far. I can only do this on a matte finish because it has “tooth” to grab the paint. I have tried and tried something similar with a glossy finish and the paint just slides around. It doesn’t get that soft grainy look you want with realistic dappling. It looks a little shiny because the paint is still wet.

The above is not my usual “look” or painting “style.” I can’t decide whether to fire this and continue to darken it (it will be a bay). To fire or not to fire, that is the question!

As promised, the Hagen-Renaker Zara in custom overglazed dark dappled grey is now listed at auction on the MyAuctionBarn site. It is a 3-day auction and the starting price is $595.00.

Here is the link to the auction.
(Note: sometimes with MAB you have to come back here and click the link again to get it to work.)

Many thanks for your interest and good luck if you are bidding!

The Hagen-Renaker 9″ Zara that I have been custom glazing for the last month or so is just one firing away from being completed! Here is a peek at her head. I will be listing her on MyAuctionBarn, but if anyone would like to buy her outright after I post photos tomorrow, I am open to offers.