Marcus Chen
Painting Eldar tanks can be a daunting task, especially with the intricate details and large, flat surfaces involved. One of the challenges is achieving straight lines, and a recommended method to tackle this is through masking with tape. This helps to avoid stress and saves time, as you don't have to worry about being precise with the paint application. Additionally, using an airbrush can make the process much easier and faster, especially for basecoating and zenithal highlighting. When it comes to colours, there are no off-limits options for Eldar tanks, allowing players to be creative with their colour schemes. For those seeking a shortcut for colouring the recessed lines on the tanks, Artist Pitt Pens are a recommended option, as they provide a consistent black colour that works over all types of paint.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Painting tools | Airbrush, spray cans, broad brush, small brush, Pitt Pens, masking tape |
| Paint colours | Black, silver, Blood Angels red, white, caliban green, Corvus Black, Kabalite Green, Biel-Tan Green, Leadbelcher, Nuln Oil |
| Techniques | Priming, dry brushing, edge highlighting, masking, zenithal highlighting |
| Gems | Red, black |
| Other | Diluting paint, thinning paint |
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What You'll Learn
Use an airbrush for a quick, easy finish
Using an airbrush is a quick and easy way to paint Eldar tanks. It is a good investment if you have a lot to paint and can make the process much faster. First, mask off any areas that you want to remain unpainted, such as the canopy if you want to keep it transparent. You can also use tape to mask off areas and create straight lines, which is easier and quicker than freehand painting.
Once you have masked off the relevant areas, you can start painting with your airbrush. Choose a primer or base colour that suits your desired colour scheme. For example, you could prime in black and then dry brush with silver, before covering with a contrasting colour like red for a unique, shimmering finish. Alternatively, you could prime in white and then tape off areas you want to keep white before spraying with a colour like green.
Airbrushing is a great way to get an even finish on large, flat surfaces, and it can be used for basecoating and zenithal highlighting. It is also useful for adding visual interest and making details pop through techniques like edge highlighting. Overall, an airbrush can be a valuable tool for painting Eldar tanks, saving time and effort while still achieving a great finish.
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Masking tape helps create straight lines
Masking tape is a useful tool to create straight lines when painting Eldar tanks. It is a simple and stress-free method that can help you achieve a professional-looking paint job.
Firstly, it is important to use the correct type of tape. Painter's tape, also known as decorator's tape, is specifically designed for creating straight lines between different paint colours. It is easy to apply and remove without causing damage to the underlying surface. Avoid using general-purpose masking tape, as it will not give you a sharp paint line, and its flimsy material will be frustrating to work with.
When applying the painter's tape to your Eldar tank, ensure the surface is at room temperature and there are no signs of moisture, such as loose, flaky, bubbly, or burst paint. These conditions can affect the tape's adhesion and the paint's ability to adhere to the surface.
Before taping, you can use tools like a laser level or a pencil to mark a straight line along the tank's surface. This will guide your tape placement and ensure a straight edge for painting.
Once the tape is applied, you can confidently paint the desired area. The tape will prevent paint from seeping onto other parts of the model, giving you a clean, straight line. Just be cautious to not let the paint bleed under the tape.
After painting, carefully remove the tape to reveal your crisp, straight lines. This technique can be applied to create various designs, such as stripes or shapes, adding detail and interest to your Eldar tank model.
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Use diluted black paint to highlight ridges
Painting cross-crossing lines on Eldar tanks can be a challenging task, but with the right techniques and tools, you can achieve impressive results. One important step in this process is to use diluted black paint to highlight the ridges of the tank. This technique, known as "blacklining" or dark panel lining, adds contrast and helps to break up the uniform surface of the tank.
To begin, make sure you have the right type of paint. A water-based acrylic paint is a good option, as it can be easily diluted with water to the desired consistency. You can also use a paint thinner or a specialised medium designed for thinning paint. Adjust the dilution ratio until you achieve a thin consistency that flows smoothly from your brush.
Once you have your diluted black paint, carefully apply it to the ridges of the tank. Take your time and use a steady hand to ensure that the paint stays within the recessed lines. It may be helpful to practice on a separate surface or a less visible area of the tank before starting on the prominent areas. This technique requires patience, as rushing may result in mistakes or uneven lines.
When applying the diluted black paint, consider using a small detail brush with a fine tip. This will allow you to have greater control over the paint application and create precise, crisp lines. Work in small sections at a time to avoid the paint drying out before you have a chance to fix any mistakes.
In addition to using diluted black paint, you can further enhance the appearance of your Eldar tank by combining it with other techniques. Some painters recommend using an airbrush to speed up the process and achieve a smooth finish on large surfaces. Others suggest using masking tape to cover areas you want to protect from paint, ensuring straight lines and a clean finish.
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Pitt Pens are a good option for colouring in lines
Pitt Artist Pens are a great option for colouring in the lines on Eldar tanks, especially the moulded, recessed lines that break up the surface of the tank. These pens are known for their high-quality brush points, which continue to function even when bent and will not break under pressure. Faber-Castell has brought the advantages of drawing with Indian ink to a modern, disposable pen. Pitt Pens are available in a range of colours, including black, sanguine, sepia, shades of grey, and terra, with more colours available in smaller packets. They also come in various line widths, from XS to XL, allowing artists to select the perfect size for filling in the cracks on their models.
The light colours of the Pitt Artist Pens are transparent, making them suitable for varnishing techniques, while the darker colours have good covering qualities. The white Pitt Artist Pen, for example, has high opacity and can be used on various surfaces, including construction paper, photo mount boards, and dyed wood. The Pitt Artist Pen Calligraphy has a wedge-shaped nib, allowing artists to create different kinds of lettering by varying the pen's position and angle.
Pitt Artist Pens are also waterproof, making them ideal for pen and wash sketches where you want solid colour. They have excellent lightfastness, ensuring the colours remain vibrant and resistant to fading over time. Additionally, the ink in Pitt Pens works over all paints, and because they are disposable, you don't have to worry about the ink drying up as you might with a paintbrush.
When using Pitt Pens, it is important to let the ink dry for a minute or two before applying any other mediums on top, as this will prevent the ink from running. Pitt Pens offer a range of creative possibilities and are a convenient, effective option for colouring in the lines on Eldar tanks.
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Choose a good primer/base colour
When it comes to choosing a primer or base colour for your Eldar tank model, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, the nature of the Eldar craftworlds allows for a lot of creativity in terms of colour choice and patterns, so feel free to experiment with different schemes. If you're looking for a unique, shimmering effect, consider priming your model in black, dry brushing with silver, and then applying a red contrast paint, as mentioned by one hobbyist.
Alternatively, you can prime your model in white, tape off the sections you want to keep white, and then spray with a colour of your choice, such as Caliban Green. This technique adds visual interest and makes certain features "pop". Another user suggests priming with a Grey Seer undercoat and then base coating with Kabalite Green, followed by shading with Biel-Tan Green.
If you're looking for a simple and effective method, consider using a diluted black paint to highlight the ridges of your model before dry brushing. This adds contrast and helps to break up the uniform surface, creating a visually appealing effect.
For those who want to focus on the recessed lines of the model, a black pen, such as the Artist Pitt Pen, can be a useful tool. These pens are available in various sizes and can fill in the cracks with a smooth, black colour that won't turn purple over time, like Sharpies tend to do.
Remember, the choice of primer and base colour depends on the overall scheme you want to achieve, and with Eldar models, you have a lot of freedom to explore different options and let your creativity shine.
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Frequently asked questions
The easiest way to get straight lines is by using masking tape. This saves time and means you don't have to be precise with the paint. Just make sure that the paint doesn't seep under the tape.
The nature of Eldar means that there are no colours or patterns that are off-limits. Players are free to let their imaginations run wild. However, if you want to paint something more obscure, there are a number of lesser craftworlds and exodite forces that you can choose from.
If you want to paint the details by hand, get a really big brush. The bigger the brush, the less you need to worry about brush strokes, so you'll get a smoother finish. Alternatively, you can use an airbrush, which makes painting details much easier.
