How do you paint very small parts?

[Darkseid83]

When painting small details, how do you do it? Just use your eyes or do you use something to magnify it, if so, what do you use? I was at hobby lobby looking at their options, magnifying glass on a rope or magnifying glasses (look like jewelers glasses), I wasn't sure if anybody used these or had alternatives.

[kneroh]

A small brush and a steady hand. There's no real trick other than that. As with anything practice makes perfect.

For really tiny details like eyes or very thing wires and such I sometimes use a pin.

[Shogi]

typically, I just look at it but I'll use tools like toothpicks and safety pins to paint with. I have magnifying glasses but I usually only use those to see fine details like date stamps and such, not when I'm painting.

[Redredly]

I use the helping hands magnifyer personally. They are only $2.50 from Harbor Freight. I also use micro brushes (from any hobby store) and toothpicks and straight pins


http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac201/redredly/resize.jpg

[Darkseid83]

Thanks for the replies. So toothpicks and safety pins, do you just do like a brush and wipe off any excess before application?

[The Delta]

i make Lady D do the detailing on my customs.as well as all the painting too.

[Darkseid83]

Red, how big is that? Also those clips, do the arms stay in a fixed position? Looks like it would work well clipping to the Tbar and holding the upper torso steady.

[kneroh]

Thanks for the replies. So toothpicks and safety pins, do you just do like a brush and wipe off any excess before application?

No just pour the paint all over the figure and use the pin to wipe away the excess. :)

[Darkseid83]

i make Lady D do the detailing on my customs.as well as all the painting too.

Well, unforetunately I don't have that option, ;-). What does she do though?

[Darkseid83]

No just pour the paint all over the figure and use the pin to wipe away the excess. :)

Thanks, I just did that, I don't think the pin's going to get all the excess off though.

[Redredly]

Red, how big is that? Also those clips, do the arms stay in a fixed position? Looks like it would work well clipping to the Tbar and holding the upper torso steady.

it's not terribly big...I'd say it's about five inches high....I love them...they have tension adjustment screws on the arms so they are pretty versatile....and stay in place...

the clips are like roach clips....not terribly strong, but effective enough for painting plastic parts

I have three of them...so I really like 'em

to be honest... I don't use them for the magnifying glass...in fact I took them all off...I use them to hold little parts while I paint them all at once...mostly missiles

and for less than three bucks...it's worth a try

[Tom-1]

In specific regard to eyes - get yourself a Pigma Sakura pen from Hobby Lobby/Michaels, specifically the "005" size. I use it for eyes and it has never failed me. This is over two years old now, but an example:

http://www.hisstank.com/forum/g-i-joe-customs-finished-projects/29087-modern-era-zarana.html

As for regular painting, I find nothing works best for me than natural sunlight and my own eyes. I find magnifying glasses or goggles cumbersome and awkward. To each their own, but I find the abilities I have at hand are best for me.

Tom

[BvH]

I use the helping hands magnifyer personally. They are only $2.50 from Harbor Freight. I also use micro brushes (from any hobby store) and toothpicks and straight pins


http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac201/redredly/resize.jpg

I was pondering buy this at Harbor Freight. Thanks for making the decision an easy one!

Now as far as lighting goes, do you use a swingarm lamp?

[USAgent]

i use a lighted magnifying glass mounted on my 'work table' for the tiny details (usually when doing eyes or the finishing detail on a 40k model) Helps hit all the detail and make sure there aren't lots of 'missed' spots. I also use it for lighting lots of my pics...

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab340/Hordak/photobucket-6887-1320115442137.jpg

[Redredly]

I was pondering buy this at Harbor Freight. Thanks for making the decision an easy one!

Now as far as lighting goes, do you use a swingarm lamp?


nah dude...I totally geek out with the headlight....seriously...it's hands free lighting that goes with me....can't beat it

http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac201/redredly/156.jpg

[Redredly]

i use a lighted magnifying glass mounted on my 'work table' for the tiny details (usually when doing eyes or the finishing detail on a 40k model) Helps hit all the detail and make sure there aren't lots of 'missed' spots. I also use it for lighting lots of my pics...

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab340/Hordak/photobucket-6887-1320115442137.jpg

very cool...where did you get it?

[the odinson]

as far as toothpicks go, i just dab it in the paint and then tap it a little on the table based on how much paint it looked like it picked up. really helps with little stuff on web gear and pouch buttons and stuff.

[USAgent]

very cool...where did you get it?

Staples... but any office supply store should have them. they range in price from around $15 to about $100. This one was $25 I think.

[dewrag]

I use a very small brush, and some of the magnifying glasses

[Darkseid83]

Thanks all. Btw Tom, that Zarana looked good.

[M_renegade]

I tried magnifying glasses, but it was kinda confusing to the eye. (you lose some depth, is weird)

Sharp, fine brushes.
You can make your own. I have customized brushes fore xample:
-Flattened the metallic tip on one using a plier, to make a flat, thin brush for drybrushing.
-Cuted almost all the hair, leaving only a couple centimeters of hair, to make smoothing effects.
-Kept a thin brush on water pushed against the bottom, thus bending the hair tip like a hook, for those small places where a straight brush won't fit.

Steady hand.
Practice makes the master. And points of contact. The more places your hand touches something solid, the more firm your pulse will be.
I tipically paint on a empty small can, where i can rest my wrist, and the elbows on the table. That's solid enough to even make letters by hand.

[Darkseid83]

I tried magnifying glasses, but it was kinda confusing to the eye. (you lose some depth, is weird)

Sharp, fine brushes.
You can make your own. I have customized brushes fore xample:
-Flattened the metallic tip on one using a plier, to make a flat, thin brush for drybrushing.
-Cuted almost all the hair, leaving only a couple centimeters of hair, to make smoothing effects.
-Kept a thin brush on water pushed against the bottom, thus bending the hair tip like a hook, for those small places where a straight brush won't fit.

Steady hand.
Practice makes the master. And points of contact. The more places your hand touches something solid, the more firm your pulse will be.
I tipically paint on a empty small can, where i can rest my wrist, and the elbows on the table. That's solid enough to even make letters by hand.


Thanks for the bracing idea, definitely going to use that. Also has anybody used the enamel paint pens?

[VideoViper]

Here is a tuteral about how Mattel make action figures.
http://www.hisstank.com/forum/toys/162659-creating-action-figures-young-justice.html
Short answer they spray paint the part, using a piece that blocks out the unpainted parts.

[EduardimusPrime]

Using magnifying glasses always seem to screw me up. Always had better luck with a steady hand and a fine brush