Homemade fillers - what materials and paint?

[Walrus]

My long suffering oh has agreed to make me some sheep shaped fillers (aiming for a full farmyard by the time we're finished). We're currently debating plywood vs OSB as a material, and, as I'm in charge of painting I'm wondering what type of paint will last but not cost a fortune. Jumps will need to be stored outside at the yard. And recommendations or experiences of diff material or paint types welcome!

 

[Flyermc]

Ive made loads of fillers and always use cheap ply wood, paint in emulsion paint and then seal with exterior yacht varnish. My fillers are stored outside, but in one of these http://www.wilko.com/garden-sheds+storage/pack-and-go/invt/0318794

I have used gloss in the past, but its far more expensive to buy, i went through loads of brushes, the gloss took ages to dry and it was a pain if it gets onto anything. I found with the ones ive made that i got bored of them and ended-up making more, well before they look like they are going to rot

 

[Walrus]

Thank you, never thought of varnish over emulsion. The price of the glass paint was starting to concern me (although OH still thinks it's the way forwards!)

 

[Red-1]

I have used home made fillers made out of allsorts! Plastic sheeting, sweat sheets are interesting to jump, children's windmills, flower pots with waving flowers (sorry OH), as you can see my "fillers" may also have an element of movement in them, so we are more prepared at a show, especially if it is windy.

Of course that is not as smart as the suggestion above, but at home we do little jumping, as we are close (100 yards- we can even hear the tannoy) to a show centre and generally hire to jump there. So, my home fillers are temporary (use it and put it back - especially the flower pots!!!) and dramatic.

 

[GinnyBells]

The paint I used for my fillers were just the small sample pots of paint in b&q, they were about £3 each. I bought 2 and I painted about 6 fillers and there was more than enough left, but I only painted the flashy patterns. I used the kitchen and bathroom paint since it was waterproof as they'd be in the field and they've been out for about a year now and no sign of the paint chipping

 

[Marydoll]

One of my best unusual fillers is a long wavy kids slide made out of thick, poly type plastic when put on its side is great filler, indestructable and found in a friends skip

 

[Walrus]

Thank you - will check out the sample pots.

Thanks for the other ideas - we do tend to use stuff that is around but i specifically wanted some sheep fillers and OH has been set the challenge of making them (after which i will have the challenge of getting the pony aver them!)