I used to use of a few acrylic paint pens when I did cosplay, you used to be able to get them from hobby craft with various nib sizes and a massive range of colours, never acured to me to use them on my minis, can see them being good for banners and writing on terrain buildings, nice tip 👍
Really enjoyed this, thank you. My daughter has always mauled my minis with her sharpies. I do have to bite my lip when she does a better job than me with a paint brush! Awesome vid
5:40 If you chamfer the tip of the cocktail stick with a craft knife to get an even finer point and then dip in water before using the acrylic marker paint it will act more like the pen nib, drawing up the paint and you'll find it easier to spot the eyes. This process also works nicely with wooden tea stirrers if you need to improvise green stuff modeling tools for specific sculpting tasks.
As a Gundam modeller, I learned about Sharpies real quick on my own! I still use them to this day for edging or even fun fine little details like screws or barrel tips. Great video!
I can recommend Sharpies for 'normal' painting work. I paint in 15mm and use the silver Sharpies to highlight metallic armour which I have brushed on. So far, no problems and the small nib is very useful for small areas.
I have used metallic sharpies to highlight armor and weapons - didn't think about painting the whole mini. I am going to give it a try as i'm not a great painter anyhow.
posca paint markers (which are a kind of acrylic marker, but just especially high quality) may be geat for mini painting in general tbh. ive used them plenty before for lage hand sculpted figures and you can actually pump the paint out of them and use a brush for more precice work. the ink on them also lays extremely flat, unlike many other types of acrylic
You can use a super fine drafting pen to lines and detail work too. Fiddling with ink can be a bit touch and go at first but I started using a pen for lining panels, eyes etc and never looked back.
I bought a huge pack of various colored sharpies ages ago and I use them all the time when painting. They are great for edging and doing things like hazard stripes.
I can recommend the Archer & Olive's new pens, pigmented as heck, come in size 3 and 0,7mm and have some other colors than Posca markers if you wanna have another go 😂
This is what this hobby is all about, trying out new things not matter how ridiculous it may sound and on the plus side its not too bad, I use pens to do the checkerboard look on my ork vehicles =)
For what they're meant for, gundam pens are a lifesaver pretty often. They're mostly formulated and licensed to be 1/1 colors of a model's plastic (since they're molded in color and don't "need" paint) so that when people who want to snapfit kits, they have a way to clean up nub marks, scratches and the like. They also make a line of "real touch" markers that are for shading and contrast, with two seperate sized nibs, that work strangely quite well with minis as well! Great video bro, was really interesting to watch!
Interesting ideas in the comments, (thanks all!) so I'll add one; Tamiya Weathering Master sets can be a very fast way of adding a highlight layer over a suitable basecoat without a paintbrush in sight. They come with a little makeup applicator (and yes, regular makeup applicators work equally well), and have a slightly tacky consistency that keeps the pigment in place once it's applied. Lightly matt varnish before applying anything over the top of the pigment.
Im convinced now. Every miniature painter has an alternative persona that critiques them and is always to give their opinnion. Loved the video btw mate
I've used the toothpick to get that gundam marker into some really tight gundam spaces (eye sensors). The secret? using a hobby knife to shave a sharper, smaller flat point and 'scooping' a half-drop onto the surface. For the wash, you could dip, but why not sponge. or skip. recess shading with the panel liner is an option. Even easier to get cleaner lines by sealing with clearcoat/Mr superclear before lining, then using the tamiya panel liner and letting capillary action do the work. cleanup with a cotton bud with a bit of isopropyl will fix that right up
With the panel liner pen, if you find it’s going on in too thick a line try going over it with a dry q-tip and wiping away the excess, anything deep in the groove will be protected by the raised detail (might take some experimentation with angle of application on things like shoulder pads)
I myself that wants to get into building and painting Warhammer minis but want to save money without blowing extra cash on the specialized citadel paints but have TONS of Gundam markers some I haven’t even used yet for Gunpla and a lot of overall supplies for Gunpla, I’m thankful for this video
I got some Sakura Pigma Micron pen sets to do tiny details, specifically text on books, flour bags and crates. I love them, plan on doing some freehand on some shields later, too. I also used metallic Sharpies with really good results, did the rivets in half the time and they held up to wear just fine. The Sakura are a bit pricey but TOTALLY worth it.
This turned out way better than my minis that I paint with brushes! Also, I'm thinking about do brush pens clog from paint? They work with inks, but the coverage is not so good.
Luke, you brighten up a gloomy day, all credit to you attempting this and I must say that you have hit on a some valid points as a result. Look forward to some more haha!.
I have some Pilot Pintor paint pens. You can got them in three different sizes right down to .7mm in and in every cooler you would ever want. I got them at a stationary shop. Where you get all your fancy pens and pencils.
Great experiment and very appropriate for me. I’m in temporary accommodation waiting to move and have none of my modelling kit. This gives me lots of ideas, even though I generally do historical stuff.
i tried to use gundam makers for space marine too, the gold is quite good for the Aquila and the trim on the shoulder pad. and the thin panel liner works as it should on panel lining.
The bright white plastic bones can be colored in with art markers and you can even get some blending on them. Vallejo rattlecans have a low flow fine spray cap that is great for fast airbrush like shading. Using a bit of masking you can get a few nice base colors down.
My hand is pretty unsteady. Being able to apply pressure to the model with a felt tip instead of a brush helps steady my hand for detail work. So I have come up with the play to refill some really fine paint pens with good paint and see if it works. Thanks for making this vid.
Once at Tiger i bought a little box with 10x3 (or 5) ml acrylic colors in mini toothpaste-like tubes, black white and all the classics with gold and silver too, for i think less then 5 euros, they are not good, but with a little mixing 50:50 with a couple drops of water in a plastic bottle cap, they were more then fine, then a paintbrush is from 2 to 5 euros for a more then usable one, or even a china set from ebay/amazon, i don't know how cheap are those sharpies, but i don't think much less but surely they are a much difficult experience.
Yeah, acrylic pins come in different nib shapes and sizes. Also there are acrylic paint white pins for paint highlighting that makes me cry with how well they cover.
This gives me some great ideas. I've got some of the acrylic pins and I've been trying to figure out what best to do with them and using them for things like edge highlighting might be a great way to use them with the traditional paints. Then using sharpies, especially the fine tipped ones, I've got a bunch of those and I'm going to have to try using them with the acrylic paints on miniatures.
Good shout with this video, my kids are 2/4, they always want to paint, normally ends in a knackered brush, nuln oil on the floor and the water pot getting drunk out of.
I agree on spray base paint - rattle can. But dang the army painter, bolt action and vallejo cans all stop spraying with half the paint left. So I must be doing something wrong. I clear out the nozzle afterwards but they all seem to run out of propellant. I love the way they paint but they’re expensive .
For gundam maker, you can make it use enamel thinner then swap it in every line curve line in model. It will flow so smooth.. Little clean using cotton butt make it perfect line.
I've used the marker nibs for graffiti, quick tip: do a pumping action on the nib, don't just hold it down to wet the nib. By pumping it starts pulling paint into the nib allows the marker to start siphoning from the paint reservoir. The control issue you are seeing is primarily because you soaked the outside of the nib in paint and it has pooled quite a bit, hence increasing the control problem. Also the material is a stiff cellulose, so you can carve it to a point to give you finer control, (this interferes with re-pumping just so you are aware).
that came out surprisingy well actually. I would have mistaken it for a standard for-tournament paint job if someone hadn't told me it was made with pens.
For the wash, get a tube of shoe polish, take off the sponge top and empty the polish into a small plastic container. You can then dip the mini in that and dab off the excess with a cloth or tissue.
Just ordered some base ready stuff off another online UK shop. Don't think it's local to me compared to Geek Gaming itself is lol. But needed some of the desert sand and stone one for a Greek Myth project!
Molotow are great for these. Loads of different nibs and have some great colours. I tend to just buy the refills and use them through my airbrush though.
Done this myself with smaller markers to put graffiti on minis. For a wash I’d try using a sponge with Quink ink watered down. Or maybe a Posca paint pen dipped in water.
we use paint pens at work that are very similar but for oily and hot surfaces ect. you can actually take the nibs out on ours and reverse them and there's a tiny little nib on the other side. i think its actually for wicking the paint but worth a look?
You can get a fine point in yellow and white but it's more like an artist's felt tip. Good for line work but not much else and it a little too stiff for using like a brush
Honestly, basecoat->marker block colours->base->dip wash would be a really good way to get playable mini's if you don't enjoy painting and take like 10 minutes per model.
Seriously impressed with lollipop stick control 😂. But panel liner pens look interesting. Oh yes, in Ireland, is there a local stockist please - couldn't see one on map.
The lining on the shoulder pads and the base looks really efficient! Definitely trying that. Was wondering if you had any problem pushing down the tips after you sharpened them? Thanks for the video!
I started using sharpie for fast edging when I saw your vid 3 years ago and have used them aswell but a do have a friend who did a full model on sharpie it was really nice tbh
Love the advice. Your previous video about metallic sharpies changed the game in painting my space wolves! Had a quick question about your basing. I bought a few packs to base my whole FEC army and I plan on playing with them a lot so I want to varnish them. I am guessing I should do that before I apply your basing material to them?
Dude! A sponge!!!!!! No editing needed. This is how I'll probably get my kids to do theirs though, I have some really fine acrylic marked they use for painting stones.
I have seen people use the pen and like a small container pressing the pen releases the paint. and they used a brush on that paint now I dont remember if they added thinner or anything but in one swoop the paint was on the model. Also. would be great for armies wouldn't it be ? :D
This is awesome! Acrylic paint pens would be a brilliant way to introduce kids to minipainting without sacrificing a brush or fussing with spilled paint pots, and helps develop the hand-eye coordination needed to be a bit more precise. Probably quite useful on scatter terrain as well. Careful with Gundam Markers. The paint is solvent based, and too much of it will make the plastic brittle, particularly on thinner swords and stuff.
Now do the opposite: write an essay with a paint brush!
Wouldnt that just be calligraphy?
I'm going to try it and see if my history teacher even reads the things I turn in or just fails me automatically because im an idiot.
Interesting experiment! End result was way better than I had expected.
Hey Emil, Paint a Gundam for us
Should have used those mad editing skills to cover that Canadian tuxedo.
My favorite part of about this is how you know it's crazy, but that you are also having some serious fun. Love it.
Your special effects editing game is on the rise!
What special effects?
Virgin Brush and Paints Vs the Chad Gundam and Sharpie combo
Damn, next level editing skillz rite thar.
I used to use of a few acrylic paint pens when I did cosplay, you used to be able to get them from hobby craft with various nib sizes and a massive range of colours, never acured to me to use them on my minis, can see them being good for banners and writing on terrain buildings, nice tip 👍
I use them for free hand “painting” on my banners for fantasy. Very versatile as you stated!
Really enjoyed this, thank you. My daughter has always mauled my minis with her sharpies. I do have to bite my lip when she does a better job than me with a paint brush! Awesome vid
I find a really fine pointed acrylic pen is great for adding text to banners or even scrolls on vehicles.
I've legitimately been thinking about this for months, ace to see someone do it.
5:40 If you chamfer the tip of the cocktail stick with a craft knife to get an even finer point and then dip in water before using the acrylic marker paint it will act more like the pen nib, drawing up the paint and you'll find it easier to spot the eyes.
This process also works nicely with wooden tea stirrers if you need to improvise green stuff modeling tools for specific sculpting tasks.
As a Gundam modeller, I learned about Sharpies real quick on my own! I still use them to this day for edging or even fun fine little details like screws or barrel tips.
Great video!
The "Ow do guys" gets me every time. Always enjoy your videos, cheers!
Here was me thinking it was going to be another finger painting vid.
I can recommend Sharpies for 'normal' painting work. I paint in 15mm and use the silver Sharpies to highlight metallic armour which I have brushed on. So far, no problems and the small nib is very useful for small areas.
YEAH! Luke is going old school again! This is the kind of videos that made me discover this channel! Loved it!
I have used metallic sharpies to highlight armor and weapons - didn't think about painting the whole mini. I am going to give it a try as i'm not a great painter anyhow.
Back in the old days people used to put paint on toothpicks to do really small details on model cars like the buttons and the dashboard
I still use them 😂
posca paint markers (which are a kind of acrylic marker, but just especially high quality) may be geat for mini painting in general tbh. ive used them plenty before for lage hand sculpted figures and you can actually pump the paint out of them and use a brush for more precice work. the ink on them also lays extremely flat, unlike many other types of acrylic
Yeah I use em, I used mine to paint the rims of the bases mostly. They do brush pens, they keep a good tip. 😅😊
Oh. I would use those on the gaming table. The base ready gives them an extra edge that makes them pop without extra effort.
You can use a super fine drafting pen to lines and detail work too. Fiddling with ink can be a bit touch and go at first but I started using a pen for lining panels, eyes etc and never looked back.
Ive heard really good things about posca markers they have way finer tip options it seems buest case use for them would be free handing.
Weta workshop had better watch out: Geek Gaming Special Effects is coming!
There were special effects? I didn't see any.
The metallic paint sharpies are real good too and the have the extra fine point tip
Luke, this video scores highly on both informative and 'for lols' scales. I doff my cap at you Sir!
I bought a huge pack of various colored sharpies ages ago and I use them all the time when painting. They are great for edging and doing things like hazard stripes.
I can recommend the Archer & Olive's new pens, pigmented as heck, come in size 3 and 0,7mm and have some other colors than Posca markers if you wanna have another go 😂
This is what this hobby is all about, trying out new things not matter how ridiculous it may sound and on the plus side its not too bad, I use pens to do the checkerboard look on my ork vehicles =)
For what they're meant for, gundam pens are a lifesaver pretty often. They're mostly formulated and licensed to be 1/1 colors of a model's plastic (since they're molded in color and don't "need" paint) so that when people who want to snapfit kits, they have a way to clean up nub marks, scratches and the like. They also make a line of "real touch" markers that are for shading and contrast, with two seperate sized nibs, that work strangely quite well with minis as well!
Great video bro, was really interesting to watch!
You can get packs of those pens on Amazon with a 0.7mm tip.
the gold metallic marker looks SO GOOD.
Interesting ideas in the comments, (thanks all!) so I'll add one; Tamiya Weathering Master sets can be a very fast way of adding a highlight layer over a suitable basecoat without a paintbrush in sight. They come with a little makeup applicator (and yes, regular makeup applicators work equally well), and have a slightly tacky consistency that keeps the pigment in place once it's applied. Lightly matt varnish before applying anything over the top of the pigment.
Super fun video! And I followed your orders and spent a small fortune at my local hobby shop today 😆
Im convinced now. Every miniature painter has an alternative persona that critiques them and is always to give their opinnion. Loved the video btw mate
Looks interesting,I have a few metallic pencils that I use for edge highlights
I've used the toothpick to get that gundam marker into some really tight gundam spaces (eye sensors). The secret? using a hobby knife to shave a sharper, smaller flat point and 'scooping' a half-drop onto the surface.
For the wash, you could dip, but why not sponge. or skip. recess shading with the panel liner is an option. Even easier to get cleaner lines by sealing with clearcoat/Mr superclear before lining, then using the tamiya panel liner and letting capillary action do the work. cleanup with a cotton bud with a bit of isopropyl will fix that right up
Gel pens works great as well! I use a metallic silver pen for highliting as well as a white gel pen for highlights .
With the panel liner pen, if you find it’s going on in too thick a line try going over it with a dry q-tip and wiping away the excess, anything deep in the groove will be protected by the raised detail (might take some experimentation with angle of application on things like shoulder pads)
I myself that wants to get into building and painting Warhammer minis but want to save money without blowing extra cash on the specialized citadel paints but have TONS of Gundam markers some I haven’t even used yet for Gunpla and a lot of overall supplies for Gunpla, I’m thankful for this video
Shit… you’re exposing my secret of army painting… I used to do this exact thing
I got some Sakura Pigma Micron pen sets to do tiny details, specifically text on books, flour bags and crates. I love them, plan on doing some freehand on some shields later, too. I also used metallic Sharpies with really good results, did the rivets in half the time and they held up to wear just fine. The Sakura are a bit pricey but TOTALLY worth it.
Very interesting! I’ve used fine liners and sharpies before but not tried the metallics. Great video dude :)
I'm wondering if the panel lining pen would come in handy for doing Stormtrooper armour for Star Wars Legion?!
I may have to ditch my paint brushes & use lce lolly sticks from now 😂 Cracking video 👏🏼
This turned out way better than my minis that I paint with brushes! Also, I'm thinking about do brush pens clog from paint? They work with inks, but the coverage is not so good.
Ahhh the amazing sharpie and the Gundam panel liner... the best friend of any person who likes to do very vibrant paint jobs.
Luke, you brighten up a gloomy day, all credit to you attempting this and I must say that you have hit on a some valid points as a result. Look forward to some more haha!.
I have some Pilot Pintor paint pens. You can got them in three different sizes right down to .7mm in and in every cooler you would ever want. I got them at a stationary shop. Where you get all your fancy pens and pencils.
I like the metallic pens I might have to get some I too have problems with edges.
Would be interesting to see you try the gundam markers more, since they are designed for model kits.
Great experiment and very appropriate for me. I’m in temporary accommodation waiting to move and have none of my modelling kit. This gives me lots of ideas, even though I generally do historical stuff.
i tried to use gundam makers for space marine too, the gold is quite good for the Aquila and the trim on the shoulder pad. and the thin panel liner works as it should on panel lining.
panel liner liner is way thinner than yours in the vid btw
The bright white plastic bones can be colored in with art markers and you can even get some blending on them.
Vallejo rattlecans have a low flow fine spray cap that is great for fast airbrush like shading. Using a bit of masking you can get a few nice base colors down.
My hand is pretty unsteady. Being able to apply pressure to the model with a felt tip instead of a brush helps steady my hand for detail work. So I have come up with the play to refill some really fine paint pens with good paint and see if it works. Thanks for making this vid.
You're a crazy man Mr Luke
Once at Tiger i bought a little box with 10x3 (or 5) ml acrylic colors in mini toothpaste-like tubes, black white and all the classics with gold and silver too, for i think less then 5 euros, they are not good, but with a little mixing 50:50 with a couple drops of water in a plastic bottle cap, they were more then fine, then a paintbrush is from 2 to 5 euros for a more then usable one, or even a china set from ebay/amazon, i don't know how cheap are those sharpies, but i don't think much less but surely they are a much difficult experience.
Yeah, acrylic pins come in different nib shapes and sizes. Also there are acrylic paint white pins for paint highlighting that makes me cry with how well they cover.
This gives me some great ideas. I've got some of the acrylic pins and I've been trying to figure out what best to do with them and using them for things like edge highlighting might be a great way to use them with the traditional paints. Then using sharpies, especially the fine tipped ones, I've got a bunch of those and I'm going to have to try using them with the acrylic paints on miniatures.
Good shout with this video, my kids are 2/4, they always want to paint, normally ends in a knackered brush, nuln oil on the floor and the water pot getting drunk out of.
I agree on spray base paint - rattle can. But dang the army painter, bolt action and vallejo cans all stop spraying with half the paint left. So I must be doing something wrong.
I clear out the nozzle afterwards but they all seem to run out of propellant.
I love the way they paint but they’re expensive .
Even when not using brushes you managed to make your minis look incredible. Well done sir!
I quite like how the blue comes out a bit under the black of the bolter, looks like it's worn.
I've actually been curious on how gundam markers can be used on mini painting, good thing u made avid about it thanks!
For gundam maker, you can make it use enamel thinner then swap it in every line curve line in model. It will flow so smooth.. Little clean using cotton butt make it perfect line.
There's something funny about those lollipop sticks, can't quite put my finger on what :P
I've used the marker nibs for graffiti, quick tip: do a pumping action on the nib, don't just hold it down to wet the nib. By pumping it starts pulling paint into the nib allows the marker to start siphoning from the paint reservoir. The control issue you are seeing is primarily because you soaked the outside of the nib in paint and it has pooled quite a bit, hence increasing the control problem. Also the material is a stiff cellulose, so you can carve it to a point to give you finer control, (this interferes with re-pumping just so you are aware).
oops ignore me about the nib carving, just saw you do that!
that came out surprisingy well actually. I would have mistaken it for a standard for-tournament paint job if someone hadn't told me it was made with pens.
For the wash, get a tube of shoe polish, take off the sponge top and empty the polish into a small plastic container. You can then dip the mini in that and dab off the excess with a cloth or tissue.
Just ordered some base ready stuff off another online UK shop. Don't think it's local to me compared to Geek Gaming itself is lol. But needed some of the desert sand and stone one for a Greek Myth project!
I use the gundam panel liner pens to do squiggle for the text on the purity seals on my models
Molotow are great for these. Loads of different nibs and have some great colours. I tend to just buy the refills and use them through my airbrush though.
Done this myself with smaller markers to put graffiti on minis.
For a wash I’d try using a sponge with Quink ink watered down. Or maybe a Posca paint pen dipped in water.
This is crazy. Amazing content
life saver! The kids want to paint the minis coming off the 3d printer going to get a set now
I use Posca paint pens in 0.7mm size. They are perfect for highlighting, edges, scales, eyes, etc. Way more control than using a brush
we use paint pens at work that are very similar but for oily and hot surfaces ect. you can actually take the nibs out on ours and reverse them and there's a tiny little nib on the other side. i think its actually for wicking the paint but worth a look?
You can get a fine point in yellow and white but it's more like an artist's felt tip. Good for line work but not much else and it a little too stiff for using like a brush
You're a good man Luke. Like the pens bro. 👍
have you tried using a water colour brush pen for washes and panels lining. I find they help
Honestly, basecoat->marker block colours->base->dip wash would be a really good way to get playable mini's if you don't enjoy painting and take like 10 minutes per model.
Seriously impressed with lollipop stick control 😂. But panel liner pens look interesting. Oh yes, in Ireland, is there a local stockist please - couldn't see one on map.
The results dont look bad at all! Color me surprised!
The lining on the shoulder pads and the base looks really efficient! Definitely trying that. Was wondering if you had any problem pushing down the tips after you sharpened them? Thanks for the video!
@@GeekGamingScenics good to know, thanks!
I just used those ultafine tip markers for the eyes.
I can't find the sea foam on your website. I want this stuff badly.
I started using sharpie for fast edging when I saw your vid 3 years ago and have used them aswell but a do have a friend who did a full model on sharpie it was really nice tbh
Love the advice. Your previous video about metallic sharpies changed the game in painting my space wolves!
Had a quick question about your basing. I bought a few packs to base my whole FEC army and I plan on playing with them a lot so I want to varnish them. I am guessing I should do that before I apply your basing material to them?
@@GeekGamingScenics thanks for the fast reply!
Why not pre soak the cocktail stick in water to stop the paint drying to quickly? May even help the paint flow?
Sharpies go a long way honestly
I was going to say don't shake those pens like they're ink pens, but Luke went ahead and did it. ONLY with the cap on!!
Ty! So much!
Interesting stuff, another tool for the kit!
Dude! A sponge!!!!!! No editing needed.
This is how I'll probably get my kids to do theirs though, I have some really fine acrylic marked they use for painting stones.
I have seen people use the pen and like a small container pressing the pen releases the paint.
and they used a brush on that paint
now I dont remember if they added thinner or anything but in one swoop the paint was on the model.
Also. would be great for armies wouldn't it be ? :D
This is awesome! Acrylic paint pens would be a brilliant way to introduce kids to minipainting without sacrificing a brush or fussing with spilled paint pots, and helps develop the hand-eye coordination needed to be a bit more precise. Probably quite useful on scatter terrain as well.
Careful with Gundam Markers. The paint is solvent based, and too much of it will make the plastic brittle, particularly on thinner swords and stuff.
There's loads on amazon with superfine nibs
Check out Molotow. They do really great acrylic pens and empty pens with replaceable nibs. Also their liquid chrome paint is super shiney.
Looks like Ill be buying a sharpie set next time I see a good sale on them, see if my daughter goes for it.
yo is that a sand and grass mixture? quite curious how that is made.