Tip for artists starting out

When you're just starting out, and I saw a thread over on Fallen Leaves about this.... 
You can practice on a Breyer and just re-strip it over and over again.  If you're like me and once you do something YOU are happy with, it's hard to kill it right away. (unless you're unhappy with it) but it can get costly using up models for practicing.  Don't do this. Practice your painting techniques on a flat surface first. Just prep it the way you would a model. For example, take a piece of smooth cardboard or heavy glossed poster board, or even an old cookie sheet you don't want anymore.  A nifty idea is to go to your local thrift store and buy a couple of chipped dinner plates for $1.00.  Whatever you use, just prime it as you would the surface of your model horse, then base coat it in whatever, then use that as your canvas for paint markings, dappling, appaloosa spotting. It's no different because you're still painting on the same primer, and same base color you would on a horse.  Different mixtures for coat colors and layering. Spray seal it like you would a model horse.  Practice your technique.  Just paint an entire square shaped piece of cardboard or a plate to look like a dappled grey horse or different appy markings, or even a bunch of white paint markings on top of a brown background Practice edging and haloing.. Then after you've got it down, apply it to a 3-D model. It's exactly the same only the surface wraps and isn't just flat.  That way you can keep your samples to use as reference to your different techniques, and as a progress scale for yourself to watch your improvement. And it wont cost you models.