I’m looking for a simple way to make the panel lines on my Academy Hornet to stand out, and thought that just using a pencil and going over the lines would work.
Before i do anything with it, i wanted to seek the opinions of some other modelers.
So, does anyone think this is a good idea? or a “David, what the heck are you thinking” idea?
Hi David,
I usually makes panel lines on aircraft using mixture of water, dishwashing soap, and chalk pastel. I scrap the chalk pastel using modeling knive or cutter, put the chalk powder in a small cup, pour water and a small amount of dishwashing soap in it then stir it. after that, paint the mixture to the model along the panel lines. wait for a while until it dry completely. after it dry, wipe the model’s surface with damp tissue paper. don’t make itu too wet because it would remove all the ‘paint’ of chalk mixture on it, just wipe it on the area inside the panel lines. you may do this process over and over again until you feel satisfy with the result. the panel lines filled with the mixture makes it stands out over the panel area surface, creating a great looking panel lines.
I used to try using pencil, but the tip of the pencil was not small enough to create a good panel lines.
okay, happy modeling, my friend!
[:o)]
Sir,
I have used a drafting pen with lightened black ink in it before. It gave pretty good results on a car model. I used acrylic base coat followed by Future, then added a diluted oil base wash to the lines on an aircraft . The excess wash was removed with thinner and it didn’t harm the base coat.
I am anxious to try killing brain’s method. It seems to be an idea with a lot of merit!
As a follow-up to SirMellot’s questions, when do panel lines go in? Prior to priming your model? After fhe finish coat and before the decals? Do it at the same time you do the decals?
Thanks,
Atomr
HEY,
I have a question about killing brains method. After you are done with the panel lines, can you store what you have left or is it just wasted?
Randy
Sounds great Killingbrain! I’ll be sure to give it a try.
…oh yeah, one question KB:::When would you apply this ‘paint’ to the model?
I recently saw a commercial for a silver or metallic Sharpe ™ …do you think that if you used an Ultra Fine point pen, and drew the panel lines after a primer but before the final coat would create a good result? I’m thinking that the final coat would dull any ‘shine’ that the ink has and produce a darker gray than the panels.
Thanks again!!
guys…kbrain is using a “chalk wash” or “sludge wash”…check out this great tutorial on how exactly to do it: http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/tnt1/001-100/TNT026_Chalk_Washes/tnt026.htm…it’s worked great for me so far, you can see examples at my site. But sirmix i used pencil lines to add additional highlights to raised panel lines…so you might wanna do both things.
You could use a pencil to create panel lines , but you won’t achieve the fine lines as you would with the methods mention above. I reserve coloured crayons to afterwards when the model has had its flat coat applied. I’ll touch up areas that need it or to augment what is already there. Thing with pencils when doing panel lines is you are actually drawing on the outside edge instead of placing colour within the ‘groove’ and what you end up with is thicker looking detail - the example below shows this.
Hi, folks.
I’ve gotten good results using a 0.3 Koh-i-noor Rapidomatic mechanical pencil. I sand it to an amazingly fine point to avoid the problem jgeratic mentioned. With the point that sharp, you are drawing in the grooves, not on the edges. Very very VERY easy, with results as good looking as any other technique I’ve seen. You get some “lead sheen,” but another flat coat kills that. Oh, and it works best if you flat coat before, too, so those of you who don’t like to put a lot of coats on a model might not like this method.
I’m lazy, and don’t like cleaning up big messes, so I love it!
That’s a good-lookin’ 109, by the way!
I have several of those pencils that I use to draw with, they are fantastic. Just a tip also, if you have a good art supply store near you, they usually carry a variety of leads for those, so you can get a softer lead than the regular hb, to do this with.
Now, how do you accent raised panel lines without preshading them then lightly sanding?
madda
SirMix -
Actually, I like the old #2 Ticonderoga, myself. Just keep the point sharp, and then weather appropriately.
Archer out.
Hey there just something i learned from a massive book from AK interactive. Depending of course on what scale model, i take a very sharp pencil or one of those HB click pencils with the lead refils and after painting the model (that means after base layer, pre shading and the official main colors) and draw along the pannel lines, after that comes the highlighting and post shading of pannels, then spray the gloss coat over the model and then pin wash the pannels 
I was looking though some videos on Youtube and saw this guy use a “Staedtler pigment liner” 0.05 to make panel lines on an auto model. I liked what I saw and I ordered one. Right now I’m starting on a Meng M2A3 Bradley, LOTS of details and lines. Well I tried it out on some parts before painting just to see what they would look like. It really did make the lines pop, neat straight lines without all the buildup around them.
I’m going to try it before I weather the model just to see how it looks after weathering and then I’ll see if I like it better.
You can fine the liner on Amazon, it comes in several sizes with the 0.05 mm being the smallest.
Red devil
Any particular reason you went back searching 15 years on a topic you could have started as a new thread?
Dark washes are the most used .Pencil line is good on larger models like the 1:48 or 1:72 c-130 And up.Carbon pencil is the best if using pencil lining.
I’ve been ordering ak interactive products here and there to find the best method for weathering and panel lines. They sell a set of weathering pencils on Amazon that have been kind Of a game changer for me. It can achieve similar effects as an oil wash with the right technique. Something to look into.
“Oooh, de mummy walks!” [:D]
You can get a generic set of artist’s pencils at an art supply store, like Blick’s, or arts & crafts stores like Michael’s or HobbyLobby, online or at the shop. Same goes for pastel chalks. Might be more economical.
As for panel lines, I just use a well-sharpened Nr. 2 pencil. I also run the pencil on sandpaper to get some powdered graphite, and use that in weathering. I have a stash of old pencils, so it’s a good use for 'em.