An item I first started using in high school drafting class is what is called a drafting pencil. It is a mechanical pencil where the lead is extended by pushing the button at the top of the pencil. Different densities or hardness of leads can be used for darker or lighter lines as desired. The lead needs to be sharpened every so often, more with the softer ones.
This pencil works very well for darkening panels lines on models without the fuss and bother of mixing washes, applying them and then wiping off most of it. Just take a sharpened lead and run the point down the panel line. Use more passes or a softer lead to get darker lines. You can turn the point sideways and use it sort of like a brush to get wider applications for darkened areas such as powder stains or exhaust stains. Once you have the desired effect of panel lines and shading, plus any pastels or other weathering you want, overcoat with clear gloss or flat as appropriate.
The first picture shows L to R, the pencil with lead extended, a tube of replacement leads, a flat pack of replacement leads, the round base to hold the sharpener and the sharpener itself. The second picture shows the pencil with the lead holder extended for replacing or moving the lead. These items are available at stationery stores or office supply stores. Darwin, O.F. [alien]
First of all, thanks yardbird78 for your tip.
The post that lonewolf claims to have covered the subject already is actually about 80% dealing with washes using acrylics, pastels, enamels, and water colors. It only mentions a pencil-method for panel lines in passing.
Your explanation of the technique is much more informative and well worth it’s own topic on the forum[tup]
I did something similar a few years back, I used a mechanical pencil, with 0.5mm leads, and “sharpened” the lead on a scrap piece of paper. Me thinks it is almost the same idea at work.
Your flying lawn mower is a hoot, I used to see one fly at the Dayton Air Show, years ago. Someone from the Dayton are R/C club built one, the crowd loved it.
Yardbird,
You’re right - the mechanical clutch pencil is very handy for panel lines - I’ve seen an article in FSM where the pencil was used on a vac-formed C-5A Galaxy to draw on panel lines - it was pretty convincing.
Thanks for bringing up the subject, mate.
And don’t forget the sandpaper pad (about 240 grit) to shape your lead tip.
Lead grades from hardest to softest
H lead (2h, 4h)
HB lead
F
B
They are pretty cheap, and some of you are more than likely familiar with the 5mm pencils and associated leads. Just don’t use the mylar leads - they won’t do you no good unless drawing on drafting mylar
Interesting technique, I assume you need to have a flat base to draw the lines on? Also how does it work for raised panel lines, I have on old monogram typhoon I am getting close finishing and I would like to try this on it…
Darwin:
I appreciate that little lesson, as I find too many of FSM’s instructional articles to be shallow and seem geared toward people who are barely literate. I understand the need to reach those who may not be advanced modelers, but sacrificing explanitory text for glitzy graphics is not acceptable to me. And lest anyone think I’m beating up on FSM, I am still a loyal reader since issue one, and also FSM is not the only magazine to succomb to the splashier-is-better philosophy. So thanks again for that bit of detailing information.
TOM
It can be used with fair results on gloss surfaces if you use the softest grade of lead. It does work much better on flat paint. I think it works much better than washes on raised panel lines. Washes tend to get on both sides of the panel line and wind up looking like two parallel lines. Turn the pencil on its side and use the tapered side of the point and rub along the panel line. The lead rubs off only the top of the panel line. If you tilt the point too much and get a splotch of lead on the main surface, just smear it out with your finger and it looks like oily dirt or some other stain. The link below has a sample of raised pane lines. CAUTION: very risque nose art
Darwin, O.F. [alien]
