The Energon Pub

Okay, so, before someone shouts at their screens at me using Sharpies for panel lining, please hear me out. I need a bit of help.

What I do is line the panels of Transformers with a black ultra fine tip Sharpie, and then use a cotton ball with alcohol and an eraser over it to remove the excess ink, and create that semi soft shadow look in the lines. Reason I use Sharpie rather than normal panel line pens is because... Well, none of those I've found can mark on the plastics that Transformers have and stay. And in theory, and certain lighting, the Sharpie's lines look amazing. However, as anyone who uses black Sharpie markers will know, they have an ugly copper sheen when you hold the markings made by them up to any significant amount of light.

I like my methods so far, but would like to figure out some sort of topcoat or something to spray on and remove that ugly sheen. I have considered getting Mr. Hobby Topcoat, but have been hesitant about the effect it would have on these types of plastics, and on Sharpie.

So, if anyone could help me out with this, that would be amazing. Thanks a bunch in advance! For now, here's a couple shots of my Titans Return Quake fully panel lined with Sharpie to give you an idea of how the "completed" look appears. Minus any sort of topcoat of course. I needs halp!

SillyMcGilly wrote:Okay, so, before someone shouts at their screens at me using Sharpies for panel lining, please hear me out. I need a bit of help.

What I do is line the panels of Transformers with a black ultra fine tip Sharpie, and then use a cotton ball with alcohol and an eraser over it to remove the excess ink, and create that semi soft shadow look in the lines. Reason I use Sharpie rather than normal panel line pens is because... Well, none of those I've found can mark on the plastics that Transformers have and stay. And in theory, and certain lighting, the Sharpie's lines look amazing. However, as anyone who uses black Sharpie markers will know, they have an ugly copper sheen when you hold the markings made by them up to any significant amount of light.

I like my methods so far, but would like to figure out some sort of topcoat or something to spray on and remove that ugly sheen. I have considered getting Mr. Hobby Topcoat, but have been hesitant about the effect it would have on these types of plastics, and on Sharpie.

So, if anyone could help me out with this, that would be amazing. Thanks a bunch in advance! For now, here's a couple shots of my Titans Return Quake fully panel lined with Sharpie to give you an idea of how the "completed" look appears. Minus any sort of topcoat of course. I needs halp!

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He looks awesome! I've never done any panel-lining on my figures, but I'll keep your methods in mind!

Chibi Starscream wrote:He looks awesome! I've never done any panel-lining on my figures, but I'll keep your methods in mind!

Thanks bud! I will say that as far as durability, Sharpies are leaps and bounds above what Gundam CSI Creos panel pens can do. Those things suck on anything but Gundam kits, and even then they sometimes don't work. Sharpies are cheaper as well in most places.