Pendraken Miniatures Forum

Wider Wargaming => Painting & Modelling => Topic started by: GridGame on 24 November 2019, 10:35:45 AM

Title: Painting detail with Acrylic markers?
Post by: GridGame on 24 November 2019, 10:35:45 AM
I am having some difficulty with my paintwork quality having come to the conclusion that my eyesight and manual dexterity is not what is was in my late teens! The principle issue is webbing, horse harness and other fine detail. I had wondered about using metallic Sharpies for bayonet & spear points – but these are comparatively easy to paint. Recently I saw Fb post about using POSKA acrylic markers.

Any advice, comments etc?
Title: Re: Painting detail with Acrylic markers?
Post by: Glorfindel on 24 November 2019, 11:17:17 AM
At a slight tangent - some advice ref painting horse harnessing.   How much effort you put into this I think depends on the figure size.   For 6 & 10mm figures, I undercoat the whole figure black and then just block in the areas of horse flesh between the harness.   Leave the reins / harness black - it looks fine.   I must admit that I don't paint larger figures anymore so this works for me.

Hopefully, someone will chime in with comments about the markers !



Phil
Title: Re: Painting detail with Acrylic markers?
Post by: FierceKitty on 24 November 2019, 12:48:39 PM
I use sharpies quite a lot; they make life much easier.
Title: Re: Painting detail with Acrylic markers?
Post by: Dr Dave on 24 November 2019, 01:26:24 PM
Pens - it's the future and can save a huge amount of time as well. I've been using them for years. My daughter uses poska pens for her art work so I just nick hers. White for straps is bloody marvellous.
Title: Re: Painting detail with Acrylic markers?
Post by: Techno on 24 November 2019, 01:47:28 PM
Quote from: FierceKitty on 24 November 2019, 12:48:39 PM
I use sharpies quite a lot; they make life much easier.

Hi G,G.....

I keep banging on about them, but......
If you're struggling with close work....Perhaps think about investing in a pair of 'Optivisors'....Or equivalent.

I truly couldn't manage without mine....and I believe a number of our esteemed colleagues, on the forum, also find them invaluable.

Cheers - Phil :)
Title: Re: Painting detail with Acrylic markers?
Post by: Ithoriel on 24 November 2019, 03:48:34 PM
I'll second " 'Optivisors'....Or equivalent"

I'd be lost without mine when painting, converting or making terrain.
Title: Re: Painting detail with Acrylic markers?
Post by: sunjester on 24 November 2019, 06:41:32 PM
 I must admit, since Last Hussar lent me his old "equivalents" it has made a huge difference. Now I wouldn't attempt fine detail like straps etc without them
Title: Re: Painting detail with Acrylic markers?
Post by: Raider4 on 24 November 2019, 07:51:18 PM
Quote from: Techno on 24 November 2019, 01:47:28 PM
. . . Perhaps think about investing in a pair of 'Optivisors'

I know it's a pair of glasses, but that sounds . . . wrong. Like you're buying two, one for each head, maybe?

The oddities of the English language.
Title: Re: Painting detail with Acrylic markers?
Post by: Ithoriel on 24 November 2019, 08:25:52 PM
To be fair, my Rolson "not-an-optivisor" has pairs of lenses, like a pair of glasses so a pair of Optivisors isn't too outlandish.  Though I still think of it as AN optivisor.
Title: Re: Painting detail with Acrylic markers?
Post by: mollinary on 24 November 2019, 08:32:37 PM
I use a cheap pair of 5.0 reading glasses picked up via the net.
Title: Re: Painting detail with Acrylic markers?
Post by: Westmarcher on 24 November 2019, 09:38:39 PM
My painting looks so much better since my sight got worse.
Title: Re: Painting detail with Acrylic markers?
Post by: jimduncanuk on 24 November 2019, 09:53:24 PM
Quote from: mollinary on 24 November 2019, 08:32:37 PM
I use a cheap pair of 5.0 reading glasses picked up via the net.

My solution was laser eye surgery and +3 reading glasses. Has worked for the last ten years but my optician now tells me I am developing cataracts.
Title: Re: Painting detail with Acrylic markers?
Post by: GridGame on 24 November 2019, 11:19:14 PM
All

Thanks for all the replies

1] so use of acrylic markers is a 'yes'

2] I have an optivisor

3] I also have a special pair of prescription 'modelling spectacles' as well

4] Overall I suspect the issue is lack of practice over the last 40 years of painting such fine detail. The right light also appears key for my success: previously I used a 100W bulb lamp but this is too bright for long painting sessions. (I already pace myself to about 20 mins and then a rest before starting again). Also I am hoping the ink feed system of the pens is better than my control of the quantity of paint on the brush.

5] I tried painting a horse base black but had great problems in painting 'horse brown' in the gaps leaving the harness black. Perhaps more practice: I do have a lot of ECW cavalry to paint............. (Obviously 10mm Pendraken).

Regards GridGame
Title: Re: Painting detail with Acrylic markers?
Post by: Westmarcher on 24 November 2019, 11:21:24 PM
Quote from: jimduncanuk on 24 November 2019, 09:53:24 PM
My solution was laser eye surgery and +3 reading glasses. Has worked for the last ten years but my optician now tells me I am developing cataracts.


"+3 reading glasses?" That's some modifier, Jim. Is that with a D6?  ;)

Me, too, with the cataracts, btw. Getting older is getting less fun than it used to be.
Title: Re: Painting detail with Acrylic markers?
Post by: jimduncanuk on 24 November 2019, 11:54:32 PM
Quote from: Westmarcher on 24 November 2019, 11:21:24 PM

"+3 reading glasses?" That's some modifier, Jim. Is that with a D6?  ;)


Definitely a d6, I'm old school.

Quote from: Westmarcher on 24 November 2019, 11:21:24 PM

Me, too, with the cataracts, btw. Getting older is getting less fun than it used to be.


I've heard that 70 is the new 21 so I live in hope.
Title: Re: Painting detail with Acrylic markers?
Post by: jimduncanuk on 24 November 2019, 11:56:47 PM
Quote from: Dr Dave on 24 November 2019, 01:26:24 PM
Pens - it's the future and can save a huge amount of time as well. I've been using them for years. My daughter uses poska pens for her art work so I just nick hers. White for straps is bloody marvellous.

I 'borrowed' a Posca' pen from one of my daughters. The colour was quite vivid (light blue) but was susceptible to scratching. Not sure I'll change my method.
Title: Re: Painting detail with Acrylic markers?
Post by: John Cook on 27 November 2019, 12:45:02 PM
Quote from: FierceKitty on 24 November 2019, 12:48:39 PM
I use sharpies quite a lot; they make life much easier.

I hadn't heard of these pens before.  Thanks for the tip.
Title: Re: Painting detail with Acrylic markers?
Post by: FierceKitty on 27 November 2019, 01:34:27 PM
I hope you can get them. Remember I live in Bangkok.
Title: Re: Painting detail with Acrylic markers?
Post by: Techno on 27 November 2019, 05:42:57 PM
Sharpies ?  :)

I use a fine tip one for marking brass rod to the length I need for 'whatever'.

Certainly available here in the UK.

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Painting detail with Acrylic markers?
Post by: Dr Dave on 27 November 2019, 07:00:06 PM
Quote from: jimduncanuk on 24 November 2019, 11:56:47 PM
I 'borrowed' a Posca' pen from one of my daughters. The colour was quite vivid (light blue) but was susceptible to scratching. Not sure I'll change my method.


I'm not sure about the robustness of them. I certainly use the white for straps etc.. but it's often "protected" from contact with the figure's arms and weapons plus I always matt varnish anyway.
Title: Re: Painting detail with Acrylic markers?
Post by: Orcs on 29 November 2019, 10:18:10 AM
Ordered a Posca white and a brown, on the basis of the comments here. I will see how I get on 
Title: Re: Painting detail with Acrylic markers?
Post by: Bunny on 11 December 2019, 06:41:37 AM
The POSKA Pens are there different nib sizes?  If so what is good for 10mm detail?
Title: Re: Painting detail with Acrylic markers?
Post by: Techno on 11 December 2019, 07:15:51 AM
Though I'm not familiar with this particular brand, Bunny.....I'd guess that the finest nib size would be the one you'd require for '10mm' detail.
Having had a quick 'Google', that size would appear to be 0.7mm.

Though I don't use them for painting, (I use them to 'mark' brass rod etc) the uniPIN brand of markers would be even better for ultra fine detail, as they go down to 0.05mm nibs.

The 'disadvantage' is that I believe they only do the basic black, blue, green & red.......and the nibs being so fine, these tend to 'dry' very quickly while you're using them.....and you have to go and make a few 'squiggles' on a piece of paper before they 'flow' again.

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Painting detail with Acrylic markers?
Post by: steve_holmes_11 on 11 December 2019, 09:12:49 AM
I'm a little late to the party.

I tried using permanent markers about a decade back.
Added abbreviated named to tabs on naval mini bases.

Despite a covering clear varnish layer, the ink faded rather quickly.
Title: Re: Painting detail with Acrylic markers?
Post by: Dr Dave on 11 December 2019, 09:51:12 PM
Inks are either suspensions of particles - carbon in the case of black, or dyes and so prone to fading. All permenant markers use dyes I think, and so will fade. Carbon is much more robust - like most black paints.