Modern companies Sculptors

Do you know who are the sculptors that work for Schleich-like brands (Schlich, Bullyland, Safari Ltd, Papo, CollectA, etc)?
I failed to find this info:(

I know that some equines (esp LE) were made by D. McDermott (CollectA), B.Eberl (Bullyland), and few Safari WC figures were sculptured by K.Moody.
But what about the regular runs? Who made all this well known and loved figures?

I would also like to know

SUSANNE wrote:

I would also like to know

Me too!

There's an interesting tendency in the last few years, I think.
Many equine artists, well known in the world of model horse collectors, begin to sculpt sth for the brands like CollectA, Bullyland, etc.
I believe the first one was K.Moody with her figures for Safari Ltd (but they were regular run). Than we got an equine line from D.McDermott, produced exclusively for CollectA. And now- the second MPV Special Edition figure from B.Eberl (and I hope not the last).

What do you think, should we expect other famous and loved equine artists sculpt sth for Schleich-like brands? And will Schleich themselves ever ask some model horse artist to do any figure for them?

Whose works would you like to see in Special Editions or maybe even regular runs from Schleich, Papo, Safari, etc?

I hope that some day Lynn Fraley, Debbi LerMond and Sarah Mink, Kathi Bogucki would make sth for those brands:)

I think Papo should do this with their horses... They are not so good as Schleich horses.

I personally think that horses series need dedicated sculptors. The differences between breeds are sometimes so subtile that a not equine sculptor can have some troubles to find the correct shape, unless this sculptor is only dedicated to that line and has a lot of time to study them.
We have recently a very good experience, Ana Dobrowolska, even not being a typiccal equine sculptress, gave a fantastic contribute to Mojo Fun line. I only have the Fjord and Appaloosa, and I don't need to be an expert to see that they are much better sculpted than Schleich relatives. The 2 special editions from Bullyland are superb in my opinion and, enjoying or not the style, interest around CollectA horses, increased a lot when Deborah started sculpting them. :)
I think Schleich is a very specific brand, they are more interested in finding a good looking horse figure, with a good dose of cuteness to get the ennthusiasm of those that are finding a horse without caring with what a breed should look like. I understand it, is a brand that wants to be as popular and profitable as Lego or Playmobile, anyway, it would be much more prestigious to introduce special editions with realistic sculptings from famous equine sculptors than repainting molds that we find in regular series. Of course it would be more expensive for the brand but a brand is not only made of money, prestige and quality are also needed.
Papo give us a completely different line, more interested in giving character and introducing a wide range of poses. Still not enough accurate, but Papo should concentrate their efforts in a better manofacturing quality first, although the improvement in last years is evident at this point.
Honestly, I'd loved to see some of the talented artists of this forum working for brands but I am afraid that the cute formula is preferred among toy companies! :)

Schelich did it around the turn of the century with the " Artist horses" by Ingo Koblischek

Let`s hope they will do something similar again

SUSANNE wrote:

Schelich did it around the turn of the century with the " Artist horses" by Ingo Koblischek

Let`s hope they will do something similar again

Yes, lets hope!
It was when Schleich was a family brand, made with love. Aren't these really special editions? Wasn't it respectful to collectors? Now the main owners are a kind of capital investment company, using the strong name the brand won while a family company, where the rules are: produce cheap and sell expensive!

MartinH wrote:

I think Papo should do this with their horses... They are not so good as Schleich horses.

I don`t agree.
They are different, yes, but I think the Papo horses have A LOT of charm, action and personality, - I LOVE Papo`s horses.
But of course it could be fun to see some "artist horses" from Papo too

Roger wrote:

It was when Schleich was a family brand, made with love. Aren't these really special editions? Wasn't it respectful to collectors? Now the main owners are a kind of capital investment company, using the strong name the brand won while a family company, where the rules are: produce cheap and sell expensive!

Actually it is a nice legend, that Schleich was family owned untill recently.

In 1973 old Mr. Schleich sold the company to Mr. Schneider, who used to be CEO at ASS, the playcard-company.
Mr. Schleich's 2nd wife, Linde, kept only a small share percentage after Mr. Schleich passed away.
Also the 2 daughters of Mr. Schleich's first wife only kept small shares.
Mr. Schneider took two associates into the company, who had shares in Schleich: Mr. Köster and Mr. Schwarz - later also Paul Kraut, who is still today Managing Director at Schleich.

So it is Mr Schneider who we must thank for the good, old Schleich models

BUT ! It surely seems that this new British owner, HgCapital Trust plc, is totally focussed on return on their investment !

SUSANNE wrote:

Roger wrote:

It was when Schleich was a family brand, made with love. Aren't these really special editions? Wasn't it respectful to collectors? Now the main owners are a kind of capital investment company, using the strong name the brand won while a family company, where the rules are: produce cheap and sell expensive!

Actually it is a nice legend, that Schleich was family owned untill recently.

In 1973 old Mr. Schleich sold the company to Mr. Schneider, who used to be CEO at ASS, the playcard-company.
Mr. Schleich's 2nd wife, Linde, kept only a small share percentage after Mr. Schleich passed away.
Also the 2 daughters of Mr. Schleich's first wife only kept small shares.
Mr. Schneider took two associates into the company, who had shares in Schleich: Mr. Köster and Mr. Schwarz - later also Paul Kraut, who is still today Managing Director at Schleich.

So it is Mr Schneider who we must thank for the good, old Schleich models

BUT ! It surely seems that this new British owner, HgCapital Trust plc, is totally focussed on return on their investment !

Thanks Susanne for your comment. That's the true spirit of a collector, knowledge about what one collects and the ability of recognize what is wrong or correct with what one collects.
Though it doesn't represent a changing in my comment, I'm glad that today I learned again something new!

SUSANNE
I almost forgot about that series, thank you!
And thanks so much for your comment about Schleich politics, it was really interesting for me:)

I know the sculptors of dinosaurs/prehistoric creatures, for the following companies:

Carnegie: Forest Rogers
CollectA: Anthony Beeson
Papo: Some korean bloke called Woon. Not much is known about him, I know he had a blog but I can't find it atm
Invicta: I can't remember the names off the top of my head, but I do remember reading an article in Prehistoric Times which showed the story of the line, and how it was created. The sculptor of the Troodon was discussed.
Favorite Oldies: Kazunari Araki
Battat: Greg Wenzel and Dan LoRusso

Mojo horses : Anna Dobrowolska-Oczko
Other Mojos : James Connolly, I think

SUSANNE wrote:

Mojo horses : Anna Dobrowolska-Oczko
Other Mojos : James Connolly, I think

That's right. There is one more sculptor in Mojo, he is from China and his name is Mr Yao I hope we all meet together in further or closer future

ana wrote:

SUSANNE wrote:

Mojo horses : Anna Dobrowolska-Oczko
Other Mojos : James Connolly, I think

That's right. There is one more sculptor in Mojo, he is from China and his name is Mr Yao I hope we all meet together in further or closer future

WOW! I hope you will be allowed to take pictures and share with us

SUSANNE wrote:

ana wrote:

SUSANNE wrote:

Mojo horses : Anna Dobrowolska-Oczko
Other Mojos : James Connolly, I think

That's right. There is one more sculptor in Mojo, he is from China and his name is Mr Yao I hope we all meet together in further or closer future

WOW! I hope you will be allowed to take pictures and share with us

Nothing happened yet, and there are no any serious plans for it in very close future But IF then of course I will post photos