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So I'm looking for a pen that I can use to black line my miniatures, though I don't know really what to look for (my google-fu is only as good as the knowledge behind it!)

Any tips on what to go for, how much to spend, the diameter of nib tip and all that gak?

Cheers,

Kitch

Do you mean Sakura Micron Pens? I haven't used them myself, but hopefully this helps. http://www.dakkadakka.com/wiki/en/Sakura%20Pigma%20Micron%20Pen

I've not used them either... but what about the oldschool dip pens with some fluid acrylic ink?

http://www.artsupplies.co.uk/item-gillott-mapping-pen.htm

These nibs are called 'mapping pens' and the line they draw is incredibly fine, does anyone use dip pens to do fine lines on mini's? or would it be too 'scratchy' on the painted surface? I feel like I could apply writing with one and not dig up the paint.

I use a Rotring Isograph 0.1mm to do the work on this cloak -



You can see that the black looks too black.
Also the 0.1 is both easy to damage & expensive.

I use a Rotring Rapidoliner 0.18, they cost about £10 which is cheaper than the Isographs but they are just as easy to damage. You can refill the Isographs with ink, the Rapidoliners use a disposable/replaceable nib and ink cartridge combination.

EDIT > Apparently Rotring have stopped selling the Rapidoliner which will make getting hold of pens and refills difficult, so the more expensive Isograph or Rapidograph may be the way to go.

HairySticks wrote:
I've not used them either... but what about the oldschool dip pens with some fluid acrylic ink?

http://www.artsupplies.co.uk/item-gillott-mapping-pen.htm

These nibs are called 'mapping pens' and the line they draw is incredibly fine, does anyone use dip pens to do fine lines on mini's? or would it be too 'scratchy' on the painted surface? I feel like I could apply writing with one and not dig up the paint.

I would advise against this. There's a chance you might scrape the paint off. Technically not a problem since the groove gets filled with ink, but there, but I'm suspicious the surface would not be even, and that the scraped parts would need to be picked out, or there'd be shavings drying in the lines you just drew.

Thanks for the replies, I think I'll look at the Sakura, as I think these were recommended to me previously.

I'd highly recommend the Micron pens. They're much cheaper/easier to come by than fancy drafting pens and significantly less fiddly and fragile. The ink takes a bit of time to dry (if it isn't absorbed, as it would be on paper), so mistakes can be quickly removed with a swipe of the finger or a damp brush/paper towel/cotton swab. Once dry, though, it's pretty resilient. The black is also black, with none of that vaguely reddish metallic sheen that Sharpies have. The tips definitely won't scratch your paintjob, either, but unless you're quite heavy handed, they'll keep their fineness for quite a while.

A 005 is the best at getting into small grooves and corners, but there's a tiny bit of flow to the ink, so even a larger tip can fill a groove after multiple passes. Personally, I tend to use the larger sizes more frequently, an 03 and 08 getting the most use (the former for writing on scrolls, the latter for checks and dags on Goffs).

+1 for the micron. I have several sizes as well. Works great for the long lines of tanks.

For lining in, I generally prefer inks or GW shades and a fine detail brush. The marker pens tend to be better for minute text or embroidery. I've even seen people using pens to mark out their celtic knots prior to painting them up on cloaks and the like because it removes the guesswork and makes it easier to work the pattern during painting.

Dudes,

Staedtler have a pretty cool deal on at the moment where you can get a full set of 6 black lining pens in a cool case for the price of 4. I picked this up in my local stationers last week but this is the same deal online. You get 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5 and 0.8mm in the set, so pretty sorted for a long time with all your lining pen needs.

http://officesupplies-stationery.co.uk/product/Staedtler_Pigment_Liner_Metal_Tip_Indelible_Ink_Assorted_%5bWallet_6_and_2_FREE%5d_Jan-Mar_2012_07856X

Just thought it might be of interest to a few Dakkanauts, I am in no way linked to the company listed, that was just the cheapest link that came up through Google Shopping.

Went to order them, only to find they charge £12 for delivery of an £8 product!

eBay here I come

Yes, shopping around FTW!! Go check out your local stationers/arts and crafts store/office supplies, they may have them in anyway, saves you postage. You might find some other stuff there too. I found some real nice brushes that are equivalent sizes to GW detail and fine detail brushes, but have a thick rubberised grip on the handle so you don't end up with a numb thumb half way through doing the eyes for a squad, brilliant!!