I am not artistic, and the idea of painting my squadrons terrifies me. I painted some models as a kid and it was a train wreck. I have heard people on here talk about painting their squadrons with sharpies and I have decided to give it a go. It seems like less of an investment and I heard you can "erase" with a dry erase marker.

I picked up a pack of ultra fine sharpies and plan on starting tomorrow. Has anyone done this and have any advice?

I went on a search and I found a number of other post that were useful. I figured I would link them here for anyone else who was interested.

Pros and cons of sharpies vs. paints

https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/topic/175607-pros-and-cons-of-sharpies-vs-painting-squadrons/

Sharpie painting by Stasy

https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/topic/180875-sharpie-painting/

I'll add more as I find them.

I am not artistic, and the idea of painting my squadrons terrifies me. I painted some models as a kid and it was a train wreck. I have heard people on here talk about painting their squadrons with sharpies and I have decided to give it a go. It seems like less of an investment and I heard you can "erase" with a dry erase marker.

I once tried to paint an Orc.

The first coat of undercoat ruined the brush and ruined the Orc.

Never again.

I'm going to look into these "sharpies" as I've some ideas I'd like to see become realities.

Here is the link to my first couple of "painted" squadrons:

I considered using a fine point sharpy to do the lines (especially on the X-wings) but didn't have any on hand so just painted them. I don't think I'd use a sharpy for the majority of the color / painting. But seems like it would do alright for fine lines etc.

How do they look in person ?

Are you happy with the outcome ?

I'm happy with the way they turned out. I wasn't sure at first, but then I put them next to my unpainted ones and they look so much better. The sharpies really worked to do the lines down the x-wings.

I will say that I'm sure they would look even better actually painted, but I was able to do these relatively quickly and it only cost $9 for a pack of sharpies.

That definitely is a LOT cheaper than investing in paint, paint brushes, paint thinner, mixing trays, etc !

2 weeks ago this conversation happened :

Wife - "So... You just spent 70 dollars for paints to paint your $15 dollar toys...?"

Me - "uhhhhhh.... Yup"

"No, I invested $70 in a hobby which will allow me to enjoy myself for cents-in-the-hour, as well as foster my own creativity and sense of accomplishment."

"No, I invested $70 in a hobby which will allow me to enjoy myself for cents-in-the-hour, as well as foster my own creativity and sense of accomplishment."

Yea, she actually pretty much that afterwards as well. We don't shy away from spending money on the stuff we enjoy. She was just saying it as a joke but she understands the full ramifications of a new hobby etc.

I can't really comment.

I've spent about $200 on Painting Supplies this year so far...

... But I've thusfar used those supplies to turn about $2k in profit.

I had thought there was a good Sharpie tutorial around, glad that Stasy was the one who did it and nailed it for that matter. I must admit I wish that more people were just a bit adventurous and got to doing this. Fighters can be so boring to look at otherwise. Mcworrel, I'm envious of the teal A wings and that's a fact. -laughs- I've got a set coming in a few weeks so I may end up copying that colour as an homage as well.

Painting start up is always a costly thing. Not including an airbrush I snagged, I think I've spent about $300 on materials including at least $75-85 on Testors Dullcoat alone. Dras does make more than me That said, it's really about getting creative with colours and individuality. Whether by Sharpie, by paint, by inks, conversions, what not: they're all of equal worth in my eyes. It's a avenue and outlet for creative progress and thus has merit. I'd always like to foster that kind of a spirit, so the medium doesn't inherently matter.

But while we're on the topic of sharpie vs. insanely expensive varnishes, how well do sharpie's wear on that plastic? I know some have remarkable adhesion without a solvent.

I did all my ties in sharpie(not a confident painter). They look good enough for me though it does wear off a little. Firesprays look great done in red and black sharpie.

Thanks Vykes. I was really happy how the A-Wings turned out. They are by far the easiest to "paint". I. It iced that some of the marker came off on my fingers yesterday, but that was right after doing them, so I hope that doesn't continue to much. I imagine I will h pave to touch up from time to time.

The only thing I've noticed is that you have to let them dry out after you hit them with the Sharpies. Otherwise they smudge or dull.

My earliest Works have held up pretty well over the last year. If you don't normally paint any miniatures or don't believe in your skill-set, Sharpies are definitely the way to go.

And thank you for the love. I may be blushing.

I also can suggest for ships where you need a white backing, getting a can of flat white spray paint. I did that on one of my Jumpmasters and it definitely helps get a more realistic color set up going.

Dras does make more than me

That's because I don't have a "TIE Fighter Tax". ... But daaaaamn do I pay for it

Here are a couple of more pictures. The first is a couple of X-Wings that I "painted" as Resistance X-Wings. Had to have the black and orange of Poe.

Finally I painted some Imperial Squads. Like Stasy said in his post at the top. Imps are boring to "paint". Just a lot of black with some red splashed in. I colored the Interceptors as the 181st, with red stripes. I added red panels for Fell. I also put some red panels in for Howelrunner and Mauler, but they are kind of hard to see in the picture.

It's good to hear Jukey, it can't be too much worse than most single-coat varnished paint would wear. I've noticed around some joints that even my krylon primer has shown a bit of wear, so it's not like sharpie seems to need constant reapplication. I wouldn't doubt it, R&B Firesprays almost certainly work as red and white does too. Would be cool to see though! -not so subtle hint-

Glad to hear Mcworrell, that teal is a great look. A-wings are the easiest for me to paint too, Y-wings are bound to be the easiest with paint and ink I bet a sharpie cockpit with a simple splash of black or sepia on the body would look good for them too. Resistance T-70's and FO ties seem to be something we're missing in general: plan to use Poe as Wedge do ya?

Hmm, as sharpie is an additive, I guess you would have to layer bright colours (like some red) then wait for it to dry, and add blue or the like after that, and black in the end just to touch stuff up. I couldn't be wrong but it's just an assumption. That hold water?

Mind if I ask a question Stasy? What's the finish like for the sharpie after a year or so? Does it keep that kinda neat glossy sheen? Oh, and agreed on the white spray. Auto primers are pretty good for that kind of a thing.

That might all be true Dras, and I'm more of a ship sort than squadron savant. May have to adjust a few margins a bit in the future.

The As and Xs up in the post are fantastically done. Its never easy getting straight lines, no matter what medium you are working in.

Thanks Dras. I cheated a little. My X's had a little extra plastic on them. I trimmed it down a bit, but it still left a little of a lip for me to use to guide my lines.

It's good to hear Jukey, it can't be too much worse than most single-coat varnished paint would wear. I've noticed around some joints that even my krylon primer has shown a bit of wear, so it's not like sharpie seems to need constant reapplication. I wouldn't doubt it, R&B Firesprays almost certainly work as red and white does too. Would be cool to see though! -not so subtle hint-

Glad to hear Mcworrell, that teal is a great look. A-wings are the easiest for me to paint too, Y-wings are bound to be the easiest with paint and ink I bet a sharpie cockpit with a simple splash of black or sepia on the body would look good for them too. Resistance T-70's and FO ties seem to be something we're missing in general: plan to use Poe as Wedge do ya?

Hmm, as sharpie is an additive, I guess you would have to layer bright colours (like some red) then wait for it to dry, and add blue or the like after that, and black in the end just to touch stuff up. I couldn't be wrong but it's just an assumption. That hold water?

Mind if I ask a question Stasy? What's the finish like for the sharpie after a year or so? Does it keep that kinda neat glossy sheen? Oh, and agreed on the white spray. Auto primers are pretty good for that kind of a thing.

That might all be true Dras, and I'm more of a ship sort than squadron savant. May have to adjust a few margins a bit in the future.

The longer you let it dry up front the glossier they stay. But ultimately when you go to put them on the stands, you'll smudge it a bit. Ultimately the people who paint have sharper looking pieces. But for adding color, you can't beat it.

I'd probably recommend wiping the ships down prior to marking them with some rubbing alcohol or a damp cloth.

On 21/06/2016 at 10:37 AM, Jukey said:

I did all my ties in sharpie(not a confident painter). They look good enough for me though it does wear off a little. Firesprays look great done in red and black sharpie.

Hi Stasy, Jukey, all.

I do I paint my Imp squadrons with sharpies, please? With Reb squadrons I simply covered them in a white layer of primer spray; just wondering whether I should cover Imp squadrons in the same white layer first, use another <darker> colour (would the sharpie layer be visible, then, though?) or just use sharpies on the naked plastic.

Thanks in advance!

My initial runs were just with clean plastic. No primer. But as I went along, and needed different colors, I began to use matte white and black with success as a base/primer via aerosol cans. Even Satin paint will work, but you'll need to either give the models a wash so the sharpie sticks or be real patient because it's not going to like sticking initially. Regardless, I'd recommend finishing with a clear coat. The sharpies will smear, especially without the base/prime coat.

For Imperials the base is almost not needed for standard TIEs. Black panels on the as-is grey works. Once you move onto colored ones... You will be rewarded for going with some paint.

I did all my squads in red and black sharpie, no base or anything, but they do get wear and tear. Since then I've switched to enamel paints but there's still a few marker squads in the mix.