benhamtroll Posted September 9, 2003 Share Posted September 9, 2003 This is something I've tried over and over again with little success. How do you paint dark, fine lines? I've even tried using my new super fine tip W&N 7, bit I can't seem to get to hair-thin lines that I see. How do YOU do it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kheprera Posted September 9, 2003 Share Posted September 9, 2003 I've been using my Vallejo Kolinsky 10/0, making certain I maintain a very fine tip. My problem is with the amount of typing I do, my hands tend to cramp easily and I can be very shakey, so they aren't too straight, no matter how much I try and stablize myself. I recently picked up some masking fluid to try and help myself make some straight lines or designs. And I've considered using sewing thread or dental floss... maybe coating it in a thin layer of paint and then laying across the surface I want. I find myself more or less "sketching" with my brush rather than trying to draw a continuous straight line, and then going back over it with the base color to "fix" my squiggles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enchantra Posted September 9, 2003 Share Posted September 9, 2003 For very fine dark lines another thing you can try is your trusty Micron pens after the mini has been sealed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Errex Posted September 9, 2003 Share Posted September 9, 2003 Yes, it all boils down to brush control, using a fine brush, very thin paint/ink, practice on a sheet of paper and plain old luck seems to do it for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paintrix Posted September 10, 2003 Share Posted September 10, 2003 And flow improver! It will really make a difference. Though once you have it down, you'll be able to get far finer lines than the Micron pens can produce. I've just about given them up. :p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coogle Posted September 10, 2003 Share Posted September 10, 2003 But, but, but.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whizard Hlavaz Posted September 10, 2003 Share Posted September 10, 2003 I find myself more or less "sketching" with my brush rather than trying to draw a continuous straight line, and then going back over it with the base color to "fix" my squiggles. This is my technique as well. You have to approach drawing on fine lines knowing that you're going to make mistakes and accepting this fact. Once you do, the tension eases out of you. Whoops -- slipped off track? Oh, well. It'll be fixed. If you're tense, the experience is going to be miserable. Relax. Make your mistakes. Fix them. Then sit back and say "I rock. Look at me! I rock!" I wouldn't worry about the brush size either. Just so long as you have a brush that comes to a nice, fine point, you'll be good to go. You will need to thin your paints, though. This is key. Not only for control, but for cleaning up the mistakes that you *will* make. It's much easier to efface a thin streak of thinned, nearly transparent paint than it is a large, gunky layer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkkultist Posted September 10, 2003 Share Posted September 10, 2003 And flow improver! It will really make a difference. I gotta agree - paintrix and vaitallia showed me this in chacago and it is wonderful!!! PS I really like this emoticon --> :O Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mengu Posted September 10, 2003 Share Posted September 10, 2003 Agree with everything said. Also seal before you work on detail. That way if you don't like your thin line, before it dries, you can just dip into some water with a clean brush and wash the paint off to start over again. After a few tries, luck will eventually be on your side Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benhamtroll Posted September 10, 2003 Author Share Posted September 10, 2003 I started using flow release on my latest set (Golden, 10:1), but it seemed like I either got nothing on the mini, or I pressed harder and got a big fat line. I'm thinking I need to add retarder as well, since it seems like the paint is drying on my tip before I can even get it to the mini . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kheprera Posted September 10, 2003 Share Posted September 10, 2003 I use flow improver, water, and paint extender in all my mixes. Also, it might be that you have your paint too thin. On the other hand, I like thin. My first couple of passes will appear almost invisible, but as I build up the layers, they become more and more apparent. This allows for some subtle shading, should it be needed in an area, or highlighting. As for what mixture I use, it depends on the paint. Some paint is thicker than others and some colors I want thinner. I don't have any set "ratio" as of yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordahn Posted September 10, 2003 Share Posted September 10, 2003 Here is something else you might want to consider: If a line appears too wide or wavy, just correct it with the color you are painting on. Example: Yellow line on a green cloak. If the yellow line is too wide in spots, use the same green paint of the cloak over those yellow spots. This method is called "negative painting". Of course I only recommend this method if you plan to do the highlighting of the cloak AFTER paintng the line. And hopefully, you won't have the grren paint bleeding into the yellow line. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hells_Clown Posted September 12, 2003 Share Posted September 12, 2003 This gets harder with an uneven surface, like the loin cloth of the Lupine Shaman. I was considering making an attempt at stripes or something (cuz I'm totally deranged :oo: ) but couldn't figger out where to begin or nuttin. So it'll prolly end up plain ole black with gray highlights (at least I'll get practice highlighting black). It sucks being mediocre... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kheprera Posted September 12, 2003 Share Posted September 12, 2003 This gets harder with an uneven surface, like the loin cloth of the Lupine Shaman. I was considering making an attempt at stripes or something (cuz I'm totally deranged :oo: ) but couldn't figger out where to begin or nuttin. So it'll prolly end up plain ole black with gray highlights (at least I'll get practice highlighting black). It sucks being mediocre... Get a picture of a tiger or a zebra and follow that pattern for pelt-like stripes. It'll be more realistic that way. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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