AK Paint pen - it is cool!

[HerbertTarkel]

I have had a bunch of AK and Gundam paint pens, which I’ve tried to use, but generally didn’t like. Until today.


The AK Old Bronze works GREAT! All the highlights in this pic are by paintpen.

[zemjw]

There was another thread on here the other week about paint pens, which inspired me to buy a cheap set from Amazon. I haven't really tried them out yet, but they are on my to-do list.

Highlighting metals would definitely be something I'm interested in, so I'll keep an eye out for the AK ones

[HerbertTarkel]

I have to say it took some getting used to, like any new “thing”. Pressure, using edges, gravity (yes!), all have an impact on the pen. The AK non-metallics are good, the metallics are so fantastic for mirror level metals.

[Codsticker]

I bought a pack to try; I've only used them on terrain but I am quite happy with them.

[SgtSlag]

I've found three different tip types so far:  hard enough to scrape primer off a figure, but you need to press it to get the paint to flow out of the body, over the non-porous tips; fine tips, which are porous, relatively soft, and useful for mini's painting; and brush tips, which are firm, but porous, coming to a fine point -- these are the most useful type tips, IMO, bar none.  I love these for both terrain, and mini's painting.

You can get them inexpensively off of Amazon.  Michael's crafting stores carry some, in stock, but likely have many more on their web stores, which can likely be delivered (sans shipping charges) to your local stores for pick-up.

I suggest buying a limited color set, for <$10 US, to experiment with.  Amazon has a set of 72 colors, brush tips, for <$30.  That is my next set of acrylic paint pens, as soon as I use up the sets I have already.

Their coverage is very good, for most colors (not yellow...), and the paint flows really nicely.  The side of the brush tips will apply the paint broadly, if needed.  Cheers!

[HerbertTarkel]

I've found three different tip types so far:  hard enough to scrape primer off a figure, but you need to press it to get the paint to flow out of the body, over the non-porous tips; fine tips, which are porous, relatively soft, and useful for mini's painting; and brush tips, which are firm, but porous, coming to a fine point -- these are the most useful type tips, IMO, bar none.  I love these for both terrain, and mini's painting.

You can get them inexpensively off of Amazon.  Michael's crafting stores carry some, in stock, but likely have many more on their web stores, which can likely be delivered (sans shipping charges) to your local stores for pick-up.



I suggest buying a limited color set, for <$10 US, to experiment with.  Amazon has a set of 72 colors, brush tips, for <$30.  That is my next set of acrylic paint pens, as soon as I use up the sets I have already.

Their coverage is very good, for most colors (not yellow...), and the paint flows really nicely.  The side of the brush tips will apply the paint broadly, if needed.  Cheers!

AK Yellow does cover … better than most. But two coats minimum. Agree it could be better.

The metallic have a harder tip, which was the hard part to work with, as like you, first efforts were like scribing metal! But as more paint flowed out, it was then workable. Effort and practice for sure. I do REALLY like the metallic mirror of the AK, it’s like an alcohol based one I used to brush on by Vallejo that I can’t find anymore. No visible pigment, at all!

[SgtSlag]

I have only found gold and silver metallic paint pens, thus far (brush tipped).  I need a copper and a bronze, as well.  I need to search for such in the marketplace, to see what is available.  The hard tipped paint pens hold little interest for me, due how challenging they are to work with, on miniatures.  I do appreciate your insights on how to use them -- I have a set of around 8 of them, plus a couple of singles, all hard tipped.  I hate to throw them out before I drain them of all of their paints...  Cheers!

[Wirelizard]

Paint pens are good fun, I've mostly used them for graffiti on sci fi scenery but they've also shown up in a few other projects.

POSCA paint pens are great and should be available through your Friendly Local Art Store or big box craft/art store. I have their silver and it's a really nice smooth metallic. Note that they do at least three different types of nib/tip on their pens, so check the labels carefully.

I personally stay way from all AK products, because the first time I heard of them was when they decided that genocide (!) made for a good marketing campaign: https://www.reddit.com/r/HobbyDrama/comments/ilgtum/scale_modeling_when_a_hobby_company_tries_to_use/

[HerbertTarkel]

Paint pens are good fun, I've mostly used them for graffiti on sci fi scenery but they've also shown up in a few other projects.

POSCA paint pens are great and should be available through your Friendly Local Art Store or big box craft/art store. I have their silver and it's a really nice smooth metallic. Note that they do at least three different types of nib/tip on their pens, so check the labels carefully.

I personally stay way from all AK products, because the first time I heard of them was when they decided that genocide (!) made for a good marketing campaign: https://www.reddit.com/r/HobbyDrama/comments/ilgtum/scale_modeling_when_a_hobby_company_tries_to_use/

While abhorrent, AK makes good products, and I buy them from a very good Canadian company; that was five years ago - the post. I’ll leave the politics out of my hobby thanks.

Good to know about the POSCA pens, and the different nibs/tips. I have around 20 AK and Gundam pens, so far the metallic mirror ones are by far my favourite.

[anevilgiraffe]

I’ll leave the politics out of my hobby thanks.

unfortunately, you just didn't.

[HerbertTarkel]

unfortunately, you just didn't.

Yeah, I did. End of discussion.

[anevilgiraffe]

 

[Dean]

Another vote for Posca pens, even I can get a nice straight line from them 

[Burgundavia]

Another vote for Posca pens, even I can get a nice straight line from them 

Ya, Posca are great. Also available are Molotow - how also sell empty paint pens so you can put whatever you want in them.

As for AK and their very bad marketing decisions, yes it is political to choose to buy them regardless, it just doesn't seem political because of how we view certain actions as political or not.

[HerbertTarkel]

Another vote for Posca pens, even I can get a nice straight line from them 

100% going to check out POSCA then - I could use straight lines