Schleich 2015 ~ Ardennais Stallion&Foal + The Tinker Mare&Stallion, walkarounds

Ardennais Stallion
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Personally I ADORE this guy!  He is still very Schleich stylized, but I definitely think he is one of the better models in the later years. I think it is clear to see that the artist made an effort to catch the spirit of an Ardennes – gentle, drafty,bulky, muscular and a very compact build. I love the roan colouring, which I think is executed nicely on this one, (We have only seen(I think) a roan once before, which was the now retired Quarter Horse). He has wrinkles on his neck where he bends, and that is a nifty detail, I think. He does have flaws, such as the left hind hoof/leg that looks a little odd. This particular model is a Made in China version. I’m curious to see if others get one from another ‘Made in-‘.
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Ardennais Foal
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The foal is very sweet! I like very much the playful pose. She has also a little grey in her tail and a star on her face.
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And outdoor – Father and Daughter  
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Tinker Mare
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We already know her from the 2014 Special Edition stable, and I believe she is exactly the same design. She is a sweet mare, with a lovely flowing mane. Her markings are nice and sharp most of the way, and she has some ‘yellowishness’ to the whites of her mane, tail and feathers, which is a neat detail I think. She does suffer from the 'huge neck' syndrome, as many new Schleich horses do these days. This particular model is Made in China. I believe the ones that came with the SE stable were Made in Germany.
And here compared to the ol’ Lady.
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Tinker Stallion
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We know already this mold, as he is a repaint/reuse. The paintwork is pretty basic, and the previous version had a lot more detail. I like the pinking on his muzzle though. That detail adds a lot to him, I think. Here he is compared to the old version and the 2013 Müller SE. This one is Made in Tunisia.
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Thank you for viewing

Congratulations Carola :)

Thanks for the walkaround!  
Are these all made in China?  As I know the Toysrus special edition  are made in Romania.

My tinker mare and Foal (stable) are indeed from Germany.
They have got some minor differences, also the nose of your mare is less black than mine is.
Yours also look a bit bended, looking at her feet

The Ardennes horses are great!

Congrats and thanks for the walkarounds Carola! Looks again a disappointment for me, but how does Princess like the new stallion?

Congratulations with your new horses, Carola

And thankyou for the great photos

I seriously consider stopping to get Schleich . I am still sizzeling mad, that they cheated me into getting that silly and expensive horse stable, - just to sell the models as standard a few months later

But...welll,...let's see

I LOVE the Tinkers <3

Thank you all

arafan wrote:

Are these all made in China?  As I know the Toysrus special edition  are made in Romania.

All are made in China except the Tinker stallion, he is Made in Tunisia. Interesting with production in Romania

Damon wrote:

My tinker mare and Foal (stable) are indeed from Germany.
They have got some minor differences, also the nose of your mare is less black than mine is.
Yours also look a bit bended, looking at her feet

The Ardennes horses are great!

I see Yes, she does have a little shaky legs. I have not attempted yet to fix them.

LeeAnn wrote:

Congrats and thanks for the walkarounds Carola! Looks again a disappointment for me, but how does Princess like the new stallion?

What is dissapointing in this case in your opinion? I knew you said about the Icey Mare, she was a downer.
Oh - and Princess ! Will have to see in the next comic

SUSANNE wrote:

Congratulations with your new horses, Carola

And thankyou for the great photos

I seriously consider stopping to get Schleich . I am still sizzeling mad, that they cheated me into getting that silly and expensive horse stable, - just to sell the models as standard a few months later

But...welll,...let's see

Yeah, I think it is really bad business to do such... Maybe those who bought the stables only to get the Tinkers could send them a complaint?

Carola wrote:

What is dissapointing in this case in your opinion?   I knew you said about the Icey Mare, she was a downer.
Oh - and Princess ! Will have to see in the next comic

They all just look so primitive and unfinished to me. Like the sculptor started on it but didn't bother to correct the anatomy or smooth anything out before adding texture. Or they got tired of it and gave up. Especially the Ardennis, he's just so blocky. The Icey is the same, plus the m/t just don't make sense, and I don't see anything on that model that says "Icelandic!!" to me. All that's left that interests me is the curly horse now, maybe I'll get lucky and at least that one will be half decent.

I can't wait for the next comic!

Thanks for walk arounds Carola! I see also some improvement in some spots, but there's still work to do, Schleich. I also think that pink muzzle with the Gipsy looks very nice
I'm annoyed about the plastic looking surface. Manes and all.. And those huuuge flat eyes. Tinker mare's legs makes me feel sorry for her

Anyways, thanks

Thanks for your great pictures! I agree that most of these 2015 horses look better than 2014 horses but still far from what we were used before. I already commented that I like Ardennais and consider getting it but it seems too simple, a barrel body with legs and a good looking head. I don't know how to explain, the flanks look shapeless, without movement, I think the exagerated texture serves to neglet the lack of corporal expression. I don't know if it is what Leeann is commenting too but they lack some anatomical details that gives the artistic finish and that are determinant to identify the breed. I feel that this body can be used to many draft breeds. Color is nice and figure is pretty.
Tinkers are not nicer than previous, not the new sculpt and also not the repainted. They're all nice, no discussion about that, but they lack the Schleich excellence.

...

schleich61 wrote:

Roger wrote:

Thanks for your great pictures! I agree that most of these 2015 horses look better than 2014 horses but still far from what we were used before. I already commented that I like Ardennais and consider getting it but it seems too simple, a barrel body with legs and a good looking head. I don't know how to explain, the flanks look shapeless, without movement, I think the exagerated texture serves to neglet the lack of corporal expression. I don't know if it is what Leeann is commenting too but they lack some anatomical details that gives the artistic finish and that are determinant to identify the breed. I feel that this body can be used to many draft breeds. Color is nice and figure is pretty.
Tinkers are not nicer than previous, not the new sculpt and also not the repainted. They're all nice, no discussion about that, but they lack the Schleich excellence.

Question for you, Roger: when a maker so drastically changes the design style of its figurines, is it merely down to a concious decision by management to make such a change, or have they also brought in new sculptors to execute such changes? Just curious, as I've wondered about this in the past...

Of course I don't know but my opinion is that Schleich brought new sculptors. The company not long ago, made a drastic reduction of costs. We can see it in some materials being used as well in the dicreasing quality of manufacturing, namely painting.
Naturally, old sculptors from Schleich worked there for a long time and along all these years, salaries were inflated. What happens in these cases is a proposal for a significant reduction of salaries or an agreement of termination and the hiring of new sculptors who accept to work with lower salaries due to a minor experience or any other factor.
Schleich discontinued some less profitable collections but kept releasing a significative number of figures. So I believe it really happened. Schleich looks now a different brand that looks somewhat like Schleich.

LeeAnn wrote:

Carola wrote:

What is dissapointing in this case in your opinion?   I knew you said about the Icey Mare, she was a downer.
Oh - and Princess ! Will have to see in the next comic

They all just look so primitive and unfinished to me. Like the sculptor started on it but didn't bother to correct the anatomy or smooth anything out before adding texture. Or they got tired of it and gave up. Especially the Ardennis, he's just so blocky. The Icey is the same, plus the m/t just don't make sense, and I don't see anything on that model that says "Icelandic!!" to me. All that's left that interests me is the curly horse now, maybe I'll get lucky and at least that one will be half decent.

I can't wait for the next comic!

I have the impression the sculptor just doesn't see the flaws. Just a lack of skill in some ways? No doubt the sculptor has skill, as I cannot sculpt anything like that, but I really hope he/she tries to improve all that they can.
Personally I do think Ardennais horses look blocky, but I agree he could need even more shape, more definition and more attention to anatomy - like all recent Schleich need!

Schleich get their butt seriously kicked every year by other brands, such as CollectA and Mojö, who have both improved greatly since they hired new sculptors.

The Curly horse looks quite decent from what I've seen. Fair legs, no giraffe neck  

JonasV wrote:

Thanks for walk arounds Carola! I see also some improvement in some spots, but there's still work to do, Schleich. I also think that pink muzzle with the Gipsy looks very nice
I'm annoyed about the plastic looking surface. Manes and all.. And those huuuge flat eyes. Tinker mare's legs makes me feel sorry for her

Anyways, thanks

I agree the Tinkers are looking a little 'cheap' in some ways - especially the repaint Stallion. And Tinker Mares legs are too little and small compared to the rest of her. She has a cute face, and it is like the artist put all effort in making her face nice, and just rushed the rest...

Roger wrote:

schleich61 wrote:

Roger wrote:

Thanks for your great pictures! I agree that most of these 2015 horses look better than 2014 horses but still far from what we were used before. I already commented that I like Ardennais and consider getting it but it seems too simple, a barrel body with legs and a good looking head. I don't know how to explain, the flanks look shapeless, without movement, I think the exagerated texture serves to neglet the lack of corporal expression. I don't know if it is what Leeann is commenting too but they lack some anatomical details that gives the artistic finish and that are determinant to identify the breed. I feel that this body can be used to many draft breeds. Color is nice and figure is pretty.
Tinkers are not nicer than previous, not the new sculpt and also not the repainted. They're all nice, no discussion about that, but they lack the Schleich excellence.

Question for you, Roger:  when a maker so drastically changes the design style of its figurines, is it merely down to a concious decision by management to make such a change, or have they also brought in new sculptors to execute such changes?  Just curious, as I've wondered about this in the past...

Of course I don't know but my opinion is that Schleich brought new sculptors. The company not long ago, made a drastic reduction of costs. We can see it in some materials being used as well in the dicreasing quality of manufacturing, namely painting.
Naturally, old sculptors from Schleich worked there for a long time and along all these years, salaries were inflated. What happens in these cases is a proposal for a significant reduction of salaries or an agreement of termination and the hiring of new sculptors who accept to work with lower salaries due to a minor experience or any other factor.
Schleich discontinued some less profitable collections but kept releasing a significative number of figures. So I believe it really happened. Schleich looks now a different brand that looks somewhat like Schleich.

I agree with Roger, I believe too that they changed sculptors. It is very clear to see in the art style. Maybe I should do some 'Schleich art style' comparisons to try and explore when the changes happened

Congrats!
Thank you for sharing so good photos! These new horses are really beautiful, I think I'll buy them when they became available in my country.

...

Anasta SchwarzeWölfin wrote:

Congrats!
Thank you for sharing so good photos! These new horses are really beautiful, I think I'll buy them when they became available in my country.

Thank you

Don't have the foal yet Carola?

Gwaine wrote:

Don't have the foal yet Carola?

Which foal do you speak of? The Ardennais Foal ? I have him indeed, he is in the photos on the first page

Carola wrote:

Gwaine wrote:

Don't have the foal yet Carola?

Which foal do you speak of? The Ardennais Foal ? I have him indeed, he is in the photos on the first page

The wee little Tinker Foal.

Gwaine wrote:

Carola wrote:

Gwaine wrote:

Don't have the foal yet Carola?

Which foal do you speak of? The Ardennais Foal ? I have him indeed, he is in the photos on the first page

The wee little Tinker Foal.

Ah of course sorry. I see the title can be misleading. I will change it

Carola wrote:

Gwaine wrote:

Carola wrote:

Gwaine wrote:

Don't have the foal yet Carola?

Which foal do you speak of? The Ardennais Foal ? I have him indeed, he is in the photos on the first page

The wee little Tinker Foal.

Ah of course sorry. I see the title can be misleading. I will change it

It is the first I'll get next year. I am si in love with it.

Gwaine wrote:

Carola wrote:

Gwaine wrote:

Carola wrote:

Gwaine wrote:

Don't have the foal yet Carola?

Which foal do you speak of? The Ardennais Foal ? I have him indeed, he is in the photos on the first page

The wee little Tinker Foal.

Ah of course sorry. I see the title can be misleading. I will change it

It is the first I'll get next year. I am si in love with it.

Looks sweet indeed And I think it also looks like he/she has a more interesting paintjob than the parents.

Carola wrote:

Gwaine wrote:

Carola wrote:

Gwaine wrote:

Carola wrote:

Gwaine wrote:

Don't have the foal yet Carola?

Which foal do you speak of? The Ardennais Foal ? I have him indeed, he is in the photos on the first page

The wee little Tinker Foal.

Ah of course sorry. I see the title can be misleading. I will change it

It is the first I'll get next year. I am si in love with it.

Looks sweet indeed And I think it also looks like he/she has a more interesting paintjob than the parents.

I do love it's colors. I myself think of it as a colt and I plan on naming it Teddy and get it together with it's mother. I'm mating her with my repaint stallion Feanor.

Thank you for showing us the Ardennais stallion! He's very handsome