RogerC | 16 Sep 2016 10:06 a.m. PST |
Hi, after being recommended by a friend I have tried using Gel Pens for painting detail on figures and been pretty pleased with the result. In the below picture I have used it on the officer blade edge and point, hat and coat lace and gorget. More detail on the blog but not a bad idea. gapagnw.blogspot.co.uk [URL=http://s574.photobucket.com/user/rogercas/media/100_6070_zps6lsrfzcw.jpg.html]
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clifblkskull | 16 Sep 2016 10:14 a.m. PST |
Are they water proof? Clif |
Frederick | 16 Sep 2016 11:14 a.m. PST |
Great idea – I have been using them for about a year |
Duc de Brouilly | 16 Sep 2016 11:22 a.m. PST |
Would these work for adding buttons to a casting that doesn't have the buttons moulded on? I find it can be a bit tricky to paint a neat row of buttons onto a plain cuff. |
nnascati | 16 Sep 2016 11:32 a.m. PST |
Doesn't varnish make them smear? |
Vigilant | 16 Sep 2016 11:37 a.m. PST |
I've just started using gold and silver pens following a recent post. Had no problem with varnish, but I spray rather than brush. |
normsmith | 16 Sep 2016 11:39 a.m. PST |
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Mako11 | 16 Sep 2016 11:54 a.m. PST |
Varnish can and will do that, especially if you apply it heavily. Best to go with a light, first coat, and let dry well, before adding more. Haven't used gel pens, but have used ink ones, and those do fade quickly in the light, from my experience. |
RogerC | 16 Sep 2016 12:15 p.m. PST |
So still new to this gents and will share how this progresses. I also spray varnish and would be wary of painting varnish on due to smearing. So far no issues with the spray. You could add buttons using this but the nibs on the ones I have are not particularly fine so it might take some practice. |
IronDuke596 | 16 Sep 2016 4:20 p.m. PST |
Hi, are they fine enough to make chevrons on a 28mm figure? Thanks for the post. |
bobspruster | 16 Sep 2016 10:36 p.m. PST |
I've used Sharpies in the past and it took awhile, but it did bleed. |
bridget midget the return | 17 Sep 2016 3:39 a.m. PST |
Uniball Pin are light fast and waterproof and go as small as 0.05mm link |
ced1106 | 17 Sep 2016 4:55 a.m. PST |
Any suggestions of a set on Amazon or Michael's to pick up? I'm seeing a wide variety of inexpensive sets, but the choices are confusing! :D |
Durban Gamer | 17 Sep 2016 5:09 a.m. PST |
Another vote for the superb Uni Pin pens. I have long used them for fine black edging – eg draw edges on musket barrell wraps of 15mm Napoleonics, draw tiny Swastika on 6mm aircraft Or, draw leather straps/webbing on 6mm German and Italian infantry. I work on true 15mm, 10mm and 6mm. I use solvent based varnishes over them with no problems experienced. Extremely useful, especially the tiny .005 and the .03! Gives sharper detail even than my beloved Windsor and Newton 000 brushes! |
RogerC | 17 Sep 2016 12:36 p.m. PST |
ced1106, I went for individual pens off ebay, Silver, Gold and white. I went for the standard nibs but may tru the finers ones next time. |
ced1106 | 17 Sep 2016 1:38 p.m. PST |
Thanks. I've also heard about using metallic fine-tipped paint pens. How are metallic gel pens better than paint pens? I appreciate your help very much! EDIT: Is this video a good summary of pens for our hobby? : YouTube link |
Maxshadow | 17 Sep 2016 9:42 p.m. PST |
What a great tip. I hate painting 15mm buttons. |
Dexter Ward | 20 Sep 2016 3:41 a.m. PST |
The gel pens are not waterproof, but a coat of oil-based varnish (e.g. polyurethane) will protect them. I've also had problems in the past with acrylic paint being lifted by water-based acrylic varnish, so now I always use oil-based varnish over water-based paints. |
dantheman | 20 Sep 2016 11:47 a.m. PST |
I have used white for lace on 15mm. They dry hard. I do spray varnish to seal. However, I improved my skills with the brush, so don't do it as much anymore. |
RogerC | 21 Sep 2016 6:48 a.m. PST |
My painting skills can cope dantheman but I will take any cheats I can get to reduce the painting time and increase the output. |