rudy - Posted - 03/01/2017:  20:12:06

I had posted this shot in the "Polished Brass Redux" topic, but thought I'd add it in a topic in case it piqued anyone's curiosity.  I was putting this jo together and just thought I'd try something a bit different.

I broke open a brown Sharpie permanent marker and slit open the inner liner that holds the colored media.  I cut it in about 1" pieces and then wrapped a cotton ball around the pieces.  I covered the surface of the head in overlapping dabs until I was satisfied with the pattern.  When I was finished I thought the lines produced at the overlaps were a bit too apparent so I blotted all of the overlap lines with a cotton ball soaked in lacquer thinner.  After letting it dry overnight the marker odor dissipated completely and I installed it.

It really doesn't look half bad and I'm sure there are probably other application techniques that would yield even better results.  I think it's going to be pretty long-lasting and it seems very durable.  Time will tell on that front, but heads aren't all that expensive.  This could also be done on the inside surface since Renaissance heads are fairly transparent.

Note:  I did this in open air outside in the garage to promote marital bliss.  I also slipped on a double pair of vinyl gloves and the marker did not permeate the glove material.

jeffnles1 - Posted - 03/01/2017:  20:30:41

looks good to me.

Todd Treadway - Posted - 03/01/2017:  20:43:13

Cool! I'm glad SOMEBODY has the guts to experiment like this (and you certainly do!).

 

Zachary Hoyt - Posted - 03/02/2017:  05:34:43

Good for you, it looks very nice.  I have not given much thought to that end of things but it seems like a worthy area for further experimentation.  

Zach

Dan Drabek - Posted - 03/02/2017:  09:23:14

I like it! 

I used to use similar techniques with magic markers back when I was doing graphic design layouts on vellum. But I used rubber cement thinner as a solvent. (heptane) It worked just as well for blending but with fewer fumes than lacquer thinner.  

If you used a blend of, say, brown and amber colored markers you might get an even more pleasing effect. 

DD

rudy - Posted - 03/02/2017:  10:06:52

quote:

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Originally posted by Dan Drabek

I like it! 

I used to use similar techniques with magic markers back when I was doing graphic design layouts on vellum. But I used rubber cement thinner as a solvent. (heptane) It worked just as well for blending but with fewer fumes than lacquer thinner.  

If you used a blend of, say, brown and amber colored markers you might get an even more pleasing effect. 

DD

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Dan, I believe you are correct about the use of more than one shade.  I think it would be ideal to apply them by first doing a lighter base tan, adding a secondary brown (letting the underlying base color show through), and finishing up with blending any distinct lines or other less than ideal blotchy areas.

As far as the color, I grabbed the single brown marker out of a Sharpie assortment that my wife had purchased. (Hopefully I won't hear "Honey, Have you seen my brown Sharpie?").

I actually like the standard Renaissance finish, but I know there are others who would like more of a hide-like finish.  Maybe John Balch can start offering "faux hide heads"!   

Dan Drabek - Posted - 03/02/2017:  16:18:18

Back in the day, every layout artist had a set like the one below. You never had a problem finding the right color.  :->