faelin
Junior Strategist
Posts: 121 
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Post by faelin on Aug 6, 2018 18:08:23 GMT
Does anyone have any good technique for writing names on the bases of their models? Trying to keep track of which Jack is which or which infantry has been injured is a pain. Some simple text like "Mitigator A" would be really helpful. But my skills at writing with a brush suck.
Any tricks? Tips? Other approaches?
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fanguad
Junior Strategist
Posts: 210
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Post by fanguad on Aug 6, 2018 18:14:47 GMT
Search for Acrylic Paint Pens. You probably want white or metallic if you're writing on a black background. They are sufficiently opaque that you only need 1-2 passes.
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Post by Soul Samurai on Aug 6, 2018 18:18:20 GMT
Search for Acrylic Paint Pens. You probably want white or metallic if you're writing on a black background. They are sufficiently opaque that you only need 1-2 passes. It is possible to run thinned acrylic paint through technical pens such as Rotring Isographs; these come in various sizes and can draw very fine lines. Make sure you clean the pen thoroughly afterwards. |
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fanguad
Junior Strategist
Posts: 210
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Post by fanguad on Aug 6, 2018 18:32:51 GMT
Search for Acrylic Paint Pens. You probably want white or metallic if you're writing on a black background. They are sufficiently opaque that you only need 1-2 passes. It is possible to run thinned acrylic paint through technical pens such as Rotring Isographs; these come in various sizes and can draw very fine lines. Make sure you clean the pen thoroughly afterwards. Yeah, that's a caveat of the paint pens - even if you get the smallest size, you're still looking at fairly thick lines compared to the height of a base. |
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mazog
Junior Strategist
Walking and talking
Posts: 748
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Post by mazog on Aug 6, 2018 18:35:18 GMT
I bought metallic sharpies and they have very wide tips for the job, but are dandy for labeling the bottom of the base, which is handy since I usually end up sitting my models upside down in the foam.
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fanguad
Junior Strategist
Posts: 210
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Post by fanguad on Aug 7, 2018 10:41:17 GMT
The pen is out of focus, but the brand is Sakura, and it's a 0.7mm tip.
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Kavrae
Junior Strategist
Posts: 182
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Post by Kavrae on Aug 7, 2018 12:49:00 GMT
If you don't want to use paint pens for whatever reason: I generally do mine with a size 0 or 00 brush. This still leaves very rough and thick letters. Now is usually where I use inks, washes, or whatever else to change the letter style (blue glow or fire for example). Expect it to be quite messy at this point. I then clean it up by outlining the letters (and covering the rest of the base) with thamar black straight from the pot. The last step is the only one that requires a steady hand.
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eathotlead
Junior Strategist
PP forumite since 2004
Posts: 259
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Post by eathotlead on Aug 7, 2018 13:18:00 GMT
This may be obvious but... an alternate approach might be to identify units with different but complimentary color schemes, or even differentiate individuals with something unique added to each base (different grass tufts, an enemy body part, etc.) or with a visible, minor conversion or paint mark on each dude man (a muzzle blast, single pauldron color, etc.)
I know these things require time or a little skill, but base writing also looks tough to pull off well, to me.
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mazog
Junior Strategist
Walking and talking
Posts: 748
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Post by mazog on Aug 8, 2018 16:33:21 GMT
TLDR: units should be distinguishable by paint scheme, models that aren't single wound need to be labeled with a letter for clarity. This may be obvious but... an alternate approach might be to identify units with different but complimentary color schemes, or even differentiate individuals with something unique added to each base (different grass tufts, an enemy body part, etc.) or with a visible, minor conversion or paint mark on each dude man (a muzzle blast, single pauldron color, etc.) I know these things require time or a little skill, but base writing also looks tough to pull off well, to me. I completely agree regarding differentiation of units, but when it comes to, say, multi-wound infantry, it is much easier to communicate clearly by labeling bases. My champs in one unit all have different combinations of skin and armor color, which works better for communication than the label on the back of the base, but if the bases are well-labeled then there will never be a case of the dreaded, "wait, which of these guys is hurt? I forgot the system!" question. |
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Post by tapecrawler on Aug 10, 2018 16:36:09 GMT
Have you tried shaving a sharpie tip down with an exacto blade? That’s an old modelers trick and it works well for getting fine lines. The only thing to watch for is the points get rather delicate when you trim a lot.
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mazog
Junior Strategist
Walking and talking
Posts: 748
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Post by mazog on Aug 10, 2018 19:09:24 GMT
Have you tried shaving a sharpie tip down with an exacto blade? That’s an old modelers trick and it works well for getting fine lines. The only thing to watch for is the points get rather delicate when you trim a lot. That is a fascinating idea, I'll have to try it! |
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Post by Charistoph on Aug 10, 2018 19:19:51 GMT
Sharpie already makes fine tip markers. Sadly, they don't seem to be as good at marking as the normal types do.
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