Legion Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 I've seen people reference "Micron" pens to be used for tattoos and freehand on cloaks etc... I'm curious as to brand, colors and point diameter. I've been looking at them in the hobby store and I have seen one brand labled as "Micron" but only in black and various sizes. Another manufacturer has "Archival" pens in multiple color sets but only in one size. Please help with any info and/or recommendations you may have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilesuck Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 The micron brand are the most used, they come in multiple colors in allot of different sizes. Here is a link to dick blick with all the colors and sizes available. Micron pens I use them allot in my B&W art work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Kutz Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 Normally if they refer to Micron pens...they are refering to the Micron brand pens. Which IMO are OK...but that is about it. If you were going to invest in a pen for working with minis (and only one as opposed to the dozen or so types...maybe 40 or so in total that I have) I would recomend Copic Markers with a Standard Fine and Super Fine nib (it is double ended). You can refill them, replace tips and switch out colors (or buy empties and mix your own colors). So don't let the price scare you off at first. Copic Multiliners allow for a much finer line, but more limited in terms of color (they are similiar to Micron Pens). The Multiliners go down to 0.05 mm nibs...compared to 0.20 mm or so for the smallest Micron Pens. With all of them though (less so with the Markers...) make sure you are working on dry paint. Any of the pens can get clogged up pretty easily with paint if you are not careful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fieldarchy Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 I seem to get more precision and fine lines just using a really good brush. The pens are ok but even the smallest one I have isn't quite small enough for minis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enchantra Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 I haven't had to buy new ones in a while, however I got a decent range of colors at Michaels where I work. The nib sizes you use depend on the kind of detail you with to draw with them. They're not opaque. You cannot draw over the dried color of one pen with another and still see both colors as you should. I use Micron pens mainly for fine black lining these days and less for detail work. Though they are sometimes helpful in doing Garrity eyes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Kutz Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 Copics you can - the markers you can actually blend the colors for around 5-10 minutes after applying them. I use Gunze Mr. Color paints to refill/mix them...though you can also use others (alcohol based or they don't flow well enough). I seem to get more precision and fine lines just using a really good brush. The pens are ok but even the smallest one I have isn't quite small enough for minis. I've heard a lot of people say that...but I have yet to see anyone paint a line smaller than the Copics can make. Even the markers allow you to make a line about the same as a 00 brush stroke. Cheap pens/markers aren't well suited for use on minis...but good ones (even Micron Pens) will do wonders if get used to how they work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator TaleSpinner Posted October 23, 2007 Moderator Share Posted October 23, 2007 I seem to get more precision and fine lines just using a really good brush. The pens are ok but even the smallest one I have isn't quite small enough for minis. ...but good ones ... will do wonders if get used to how they work. LOL I was going to post the exact same sentence, only about paint brushes. I guess it is what you get used to and like. TS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Kutz Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 Good paint brushes help...but if you are going to use/try to use pens/markers it is even more important that you use good tools. The mechanical nature of them makes it more difficult to make up for a crappy tool with talent than with brushes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshuaslater Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 I like them for quick and dirty dotting of the eyes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mclimbin Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 .compared to 0.20 mm or so for the smallest Micron Pens. I have some .05 Microns at home. Like Josh, I mostly use them for quick dotting of the eyes. Using a brush is better for more detail, but the Microns are easier for quick or tabletop jobs. Also, they are really sensitive to moisture. If you mess up on one eye, just fill a brush with water and swipe it a few times over the eye and the ink will disappear. Make sure the eye is dry before you try again, or the ink will run. It's much easier than trying to paint the eyes over and over again (paint it Linen White, line with Brown Liner, dot with Brown Liner...shoot! Messed it up! Ok, paint with white AGAIN, line with brown AGAIN, dot with brown AGAIN...Shoot! Ok, one more time, third's a charm, right? ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshuaslater Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 Dig. The micron pen eyes are more for the quick and dirty, tabletop, bust'em out painting, but I think some people use them to good effect on models they spend a lot of time on too. On a side note, you can use them to do some freehand, let it dry, and then take your superfine brush and paint over those lines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Kutz Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 .compared to 0.20 mm or so for the smallest Micron Pens. I have some .05 Microns at home. Probably size 05 or 005 - not an actual measurement, but a throwback to the old days of pen sizes. The 05 is around 0.45 mm - the size 005 is 0.2 mm. 0.05 mm is very, very, very small. It isn't quite as fine as an actual piece of hair - but it is pretty close. Unless you use it as a pattern, the lines are easily dismissed as a scratch or dust on the substrate. Everything else...I concur. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mclimbin Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 .compared to 0.20 mm or so for the smallest Micron Pens. I have some .05 Microns at home. Probably size 05 or 005 - not an actual measurement, but a throwback to the old days of pen sizes. Ahh, you're right. Now that I think about it, they are marked 005. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legion Posted November 6, 2007 Author Share Posted November 6, 2007 Thank you all for your input. Sorry it took so long to get back, but work has been interfering with fun Hell, I haven't even had time to finish my 1/2 fiend blackguard conversion that everyone gave such good input on. Anyway my main use I think was to be for tatooing. Reason is that I think for that kind of detail I'm a little more accurate with a pen more so than a brush. Also any specific colors for tatooing would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Kutz Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 I find that they work quite well for tattooing. As has been mentioned above, most of them are mostly translucent when dry - which allows you to make a good semblance for the faded colors of older tattoos. For specific colors...depends on what you want to replicate. Anywho - decals work quite nicely for tattoos too. Used them to do matching forearm tattoos for a spec ops squad a while back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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