"Painting moulded flag" Topic

I've been painting the Salute Russian Revolution figure as a standard bearer for Nestor Makhno's black army.

One thing I'm finding very difficult is lettering the flag. I want to paint Власть рождает паразитов on it, which you would think is very simple but I'm finding it very difficult both to form the letters and to make them look as though they follow the angle of the flag.

Has anyone else had similar experiences painting a moulded flag (even this one)? Any suggestions to make it easier?

back

front

Have you tried writing them on with a pencil first,or using a fine tip marker? Personally, on a glag like that, I think you just need the illusion of writing.

79thPA is probably correct in that you should paint the flag to give the impression of lettering. Another option might be decoupage: attaching a paper copy of the flag to the model. Another option would be to print the flag to paper, then fold it to match the shape of the flag you want to paint and use the paper flag as a guide to paint the model flag.
If you use markers for the lettering, you'll want to use a particular brand that uses ink that won't run. The brand name escapes me.
Good luck!

Have you considered printing it out on paper, then gluing the paper onto the molded flag? You could also remove the flag and its pole, and replace this with a brass wire by drilling out the hands, inserting the brass wire. The paper flag can be glued to the brass wire, creating flutter/curves, as desired. Just a suggestion. Cheers!

I have often used Sgt Slag's suggestion, remove the flag and pole and replace with piano wire and a printed flag! – I find its the easiest solution.

Agree with the Sgt – when possible, a better solution – easier and also looks better

Likewise. Print and put on a new pole.

If you are only drilling a few, a hand drill is fine.

I find painting the paper over afterwards helps make it look less printed.

The flag is kind of wrapped around the figure in this case, so I can't remove the moulded flag. If I can get some very thin paper I could maybe print a banner and stick it on, but it is quite intricate moulding to stick it to.
The historical banner is white text on black so I could maybe get a thin white pen of some kind, but they don't do one in my local art shop.