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I'm painting up a tank for my marine army but am encountering some difficulty with highlighting it. I tried drybrushing, but perhaps I didn't do it correctly, it ended up looking bad with some streaking. So I tried painting on the highlights, similar to how I did for my power armour marines. However, after 2 hours, I'm not even done with the first layer of highlighting yet! With a 2-tone highlight and 8 tanks to paint, I think that this is going to be a quick road to much frustration.

Does anyone have any advice on how to highlight tanks? Most tutorials seem to focus on drybrushing, but I'm not that sold on drybrushing yet, given my poor first attempt.

Thanks.

IMO, drybrushing works well on cloth or skin type surfaces which have complex folds and some type of surface texture (imagined, if not actually on the moder).

Tanks usually have flat, smooth surfaces with simple folds, if any.

If you want the GW hard edge look, then hard edge highlighting is the way to do it.

An alternative technique, used by AFV modellers, is to paint a layer of darker wash over the panels, then sponge it off the panels with tissue or sponge, before it dries. You use a light pressing or dabbing action rather than wiping. This leaves a reverse highlighting where the centre of the panel is the lightest part.

Thanks for the advice!

Yeah. Drybrushing seems to work well on IG tanks with all the rivets and such, but I find that the smooth tanks of marines don't really seem to benefit that much from drybrushing.

If hard edge highlighting is the only way, then I guess i'll have to prepare myself for the long haul... Haha. Maybe I'll try this reverse highlighting technique one day. I'll post a picture of the tank once it's done and get some feedback.

When dry-brushing tanks, use a swirling motion to avoid the streaks. Done well, it can add texture to the model.

Thanks for the advice. I've taken a few shots of the rhino I'm working on. It sounds ridiculous, but I spent about 4 hours adding this first layer of highlight... The attempt to paint long, straight lines almost killed me... and I'm still intending to add a second layer of hard edge highlights...

Hence, I'd be very grateful if anyone can point out an easier/faster/better way to achieve similar or better results.

WIP shots of the rhino from various angles.

You can use either the side of a brush (rather than the tip) to line the highlights or use coloured pencils. Sounds daft but works & is quick & easy.
Just remember to varnish after or you'll rub off the pencil.

I generally use the side, though it's still hard to have a nice straight line.

I happened to browse a hobby shop today and the idea struck me of using masking tape to help me paint the highlights on straightly, so I've bought a small reel to try. Hope that works.