Hi guys! I'm thinking of panel lining my next project and was wondering if you guys had any suggestions on what paint markers to use? I have used Gundam paint markers, they seem ok are there any more recommendations? Also I want the lines to not look too cartooney. The Model will be white, dark blue and medium grey. So what colors should I use on each? The pic below has nothing to do with anything, I could not post with out a pic. Thanks!
I tend to use water colors now since they are the most forgiving and give great results, plus they wash off easy if you want to remove them down the line (unless you top coat them). I made a simple tutorial here Child of Mecha - Easiest Panel Lines?
Yes, awesome technique. I'm not the best but I'm pretty good at panel lining. Expensive markers are not necessary. I use various colors of fine point sharpies. U can be as sloppy as you like, but the secret is, MAGIC ERASERS. Keep chunk of moist magic eraser handy. As you go out of line, use the magic eraser to clean up. Sharpies can be a bitch to get into deep & fine lines. Even on pre-painted or tampographed surfaces, it wont remove the paint unless you scrub it. Still try to be neat over those areas. Another note, when using the erasers, is let the area dry before re-applying more ink. Water and markers don't mix. Also, don't use any kind of marker on flexible plastic as it will bleed into it and is impossible to remove. The longer it sits the more it bleeds. Use paint over these surfaces. Let the paint dry, then use the eraser to clean up. I also use sharpened chopsticks and skewers which are handy for getting into fine crevices. The friction from rubbing is just right to remove excess ink. More examples: http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/radicons-customs/835858-bulkheads-road-buster.html
I just severely water down some paint, the drag it over the panel lines. I wait for it to dry somewhat, then I wipe the excess paint off. Nice and simple.
I use a calligraphy brush pen. Uses very loose ink, and basically works like a panel wash. Another technique I use are panel washes. Just get really thin paint on a really, really thin paintbrush and it should run down the lines really easily. Unlike the brush pen, you have to let it dry completely before going over it with thinner or rubbing alcohol to remove the spots where the brush touches.
Haven't read the whole thread at the moment, but if the color aspect hasnt been answered yet, I always go just slightly darker than the color of the panels I'm trying to bring out. White/light Grey, Med. Blue/ Dark Blue, Med. Grey W/ Gunship Grey. To ME it looks more natural that way, rather than making ALL panel black and making it look drawn on like you are trying to avoid. Use acrylic paints, water them down a LOT, and when it gets REALLY runny, take a fine point brush, and run it over the panel line. Wipe any excess away with a rag, and repeat as needed. Hope that helps some!
