How to Paint Squad Markings
This post is part of the Notts Hobbies 30 Day Army Painting Accelerator, Click here to get your free copy.
Sometimes, you can’t find the right decal or want to paint a pattern, like straight lines or a check design. An easy way to paint these is to use masking tape to mask off the pattern and the Notts Hobbies Weathering Sponges.
Click here to try this for yourself and claim your free Weathering Sponges, just cover the shipping
This method allows you to reposition the masking tape before you start painting, making it harder to make mistakes. It is easier than freehanding the pattern, as it can take a minute to adjust the masking tape, and it can be difficult to paint straight lines on curved surfaces.
Firstly, cut your masking tape with a sharp hobby knife or scissors, using a ruler if needed for straight lines. Then, apply the masking tape to your model, showing only the areas you want to paint. You can use any type of masking tape. Here, I’m using regular masking tape that can be purchased from any hardware store.
With the Notts Hobbies Heavy Weathering Sponge, sponge paint onto the area left showing. To reduce bleed under the masking tape, remove excess paint from the weathering sponge before applying it to the model.
The paint should be removed by applying paint to a texture palette or other surface. The paint left on the sponge should be similar to the amount left on a drybrush when drybrushing.
This will reduce the need for tidying up when removing the masking tape. You can always apply more paint, but removing it from the model is hard.
Then highlights or shadows can be applied with the Notts Hobbies Light Weathering Sponges, this small step will make any squad markings pop.
At this stage, less is more, and it’s easier to add more paint if necessary. I add a small amount of paint, lean back, and look away from the model then towards it.
I use this as a sense check to see if more highlights or shading are required.
If you overdo the highlights or shadows, you can always fix them by painting the edges with the first colour you used and the Notts Hobbies Light Weathering Sponges. This will gradually reduce the area you have highlighted or shaded so it looks right.
Finally, remove the masking tape and tidy up any bleed under the masking tape using the Notts Hobbies Light Weathering Sponges.
Click here to try this for yourself and claim your free Weathering Sponges, just cover the shipping
This post is part of the Notts Hobbies 30 Day Army Painting Accelerator, Click here to get your free copy.
Glossary
Drybrush – Is a wide paint brush that doesn’t have a tip, designed for drybrushing
Drybrushing - a miniature painting technique where most of the paint is removed from the brush so it deposits paint on the raised surfaces of a model.
Highlight – painting the bright colours on raised parts of a model so they stand out.
Shadows – The deepest parts of a surface, that receive the least light.
Sponge Chipping - a paint-dabbed sponge is lightly applied to edges and surfaces to create realistic chipped or worn effects
Texture Palette - is a non-absorbent surface where painters water down paints and remove excess paint from their brush.