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I just picked up a few and did a tester model up in every recess and crevasse on his legs. I might post a pic for opinions if needed. I used to use washes and ever since they discontinued them I haven't painted a single model. Just getting back into painting tonight and I am considering using micron pens as a substitute for shadowing with a wash. It is a lot less messy and frankly just looks friggin awesome. However it looks quite fake when overdone. Also I am a BA player so using a black micron pen on a BRIGHT red marine and then following up that with BRIGHTER orange highlights. Quite the contrast of black > bright and colorful. What do you think? Do you think using micron pens to color in recesses is cheating? Let me know your thoughts


Not at all taking my time on this one, just a rush to see how long it would take and how it would look in the end. No highlights on this atm btw

post pics!

To be honest if I took my time on it, it might look quite sexy.

Looks fine.

Do you think I should still highlight the red, or is it highlighted enough? hahaha


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I mean I know some areas are going to need it but most are covered by the pen I think

I haven't had much experience with micropens, but wouldn't that be one situation where a regular brush would be easier? Or using a brush to paint black wash directly into the crevices? I thought micropens were better suited to things like painting edges or freehand designs rather than crevices.

Personally I'd highlight the red but use something like a black wash in the crevices (which won't be as extreme as using pure black). But what you've got there looks ok too, it depends what look you're trying to achieve, I think "black lining" like you have there makes it look a bit cartoonish, which might be the effect you're going for.

I personally cannot stand washes. I understand the purpose but I like the cleanliness of not messing up tones with washes. I want a bright army with dark crevasses that doesn't look completely fake. I don't have the budget to get nice paintbrushes and all the ones I have on me aren't pointy enough to actually paint in the crevasses. Also I am going to show my finished product in about 5 mins here. Just doing the helmet like an assault marine bc I love highlighting iyanden darksun <3

I'm not talking about painting washes over the entire model, I mean painting them straight into the crevices exactly like you've done with the micropen, leaving the bulk of the model untouched. It doesn't take a massively good quality brush to do because the wash will naturally seep into the crevice so you only need to apply it roughly rather than precisely like you would if using pure black (unless your brushes are completely screwed in which case you are probably gonna struggle to paint the highlights as well).

Painting the wash straight into the crevice gives much the same effect as what you have already, just not quite as harsh and a bit more natural looking.

Check out my washed models skink > http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/images-51725-28262_Blood%20Angels%20Army%20Painting%20Log.html


Used devlan mud


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I dislike washes lol.


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also I was painting them into the crevasses on those models. It just gets annoying when you miss and have to layer back over it.

I can't see them brilliantly because I'm on my ancient netbook, was that applying the wash over the entire model? I think they look ok, they just need an edge highlight or 2 to bring out the depth a bit.

EDIT: LOL, you kept posting while I was posting my message. But yeah, I actually prefer the look of those Assault Marines but I think they need an edge highlight of a slightly lighter red/orange, if you don't want to do the edge highlight or you find the micropens faster/easier then what you have in your first post looks good too I personally just prefer the slightly softer look of using a wash in the crevices followed by a highlight or two.

I will post the final in a couple of mins, stick around


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just broke my micropen LOL


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painting the rest


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doing a badab black wash on the helmet with bleached bone highlights. 3 color eyes as well.


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finishing eyes up right now

Final product. Rushed the whole thing but didn't come out terrible


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Any thoughts?

nice result, but a black oilwash would get a similar effect with less effort!

Looks good, I still think it needs a highlight though

I have used the pens before and found that they dryout/wearout quite quickly....now, perhaps I had poor quality ones, or I was using them wrong, but in my experience I found them not worth the trouble.

of course, I was using them for panel lines in tau vehicles and suits, and in those applications perhaps I damaged the delicate tips (i.e. using it in a notch as opposed to just a crevice).

best of luck!

davethepak wrote:
I have used the pens before and found that they dryout/wearout quite quickly....now, perhaps I had poor quality ones, or I was using them wrong, but in my experience I found them not worth the trouble.

of course, I was using them for panel lines in tau vehicles and suits, and in those applications perhaps I damaged the delicate tips (i.e. using it in a notch as opposed to just a crevice).

best of luck!

i find it insane how many people insist on putting their entire arms weight behind a pen, just because its a pen. I secretly lose my nerve whenever anyone touches my black permanent markers, because the rest of the people in my office have this innate ability to slaughter its fine point tip in a matter of days, and it simply drives me nuts.

I think OP is overusing the pen though, there's a bit of work that would be better off using just a fine brush, either way, i just want to make sure that you remember to seal in the paint job once you're done with it as it's still ink, and not paint.