Lettering on Banners

[Dragon Hunter]

I’ve just recently gotten back into the hobby after a bit of a hiatus, and I’ve always struggled with lettering on banners and such. Does anyone have any tips for making my lettering look legible? Thanks in advance.

[VaUgHaNy86]

I use a very fine Indian ink pen and a magnifying glass on a helping hand to write up my banners and nameplates
Chris

[SotonShades]

Best advice as always is practice, even if it is on a bit of paper. Get your finest brush and practice drawing thin straight lines. Get them as thin as possible, and as straight as possible. Then do the same with curves. Once you've mastered this, practice letters, just like you did (I assume) when you started school. A row of 'AAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaa' then a row of 'BBBBBBbbbbbb', etc.

That's if you have the time...

More practically; well you still need to practice those fine lines i'm afraid. Thin your paint as much as you can. Remember, the thinner it is, the easier it will be to paint over mistakes. Many thin coats are better than one thick one, so build up layers of your paint to make the letter look solid.

If you want a more complicated font than just straight lines, plan it out. Have something to copy from on your computer or sketch it out on a piece of paper first. Draw in the basic lines and then fill out the shape. Remember, you can always paint over mistakes, so don't panic if you don't quite manage to match it up.

Contrast is important (unless you want the lettering to look aged), so use dark letters over a pale background or the otherway round to help your letters stand out.

Finally plan your words. If you've only got a small space, don't try to write in a long word unless you know you are going to fit it in. Nothing ruins the look of text on a model than watching it get bunched up towards the end of the word. I often start with the middle letter(s) to help work out the spacing. As part of the planning I often try to work out how long it is going to take, double it, then give myself time to go make a cup of tea. Doing that kind of detail work can strain your eyes and the muscles in your lower arm, so take your time to avoid mistakes and give yourself a chance. Rush it and you will regret it as you won't do justice to your ability to paint text.

I'll try to get some pictures of what I mean when I can.

[Dragon Hunter]

Thank you both very much!

[fade_74]

http://www.jetpens.com/Uni-ball-Signo-Bit-UM-201-Gel-Ink-Pen-0.18-mm-10-Black-Set-World-s-Thinnest-Gel-Ink-Pen/pd/429

Great pens for lettering. Just make sure you put on some varnish before using them, because they do scratch paint.

[MarneusCalgar]

http://www.jetpens.com/Uni-ball-Signo-Bit-UM-201-Gel-Ink-Pen-0.18-mm-10-Black-Set-World-s-Thinnest-Gel-Ink-Pen/pd/429

Great pens for lettering. Just make sure you put on some varnish before using them, because they do scratch paint.

Thanks for the info!!!!

[Mystery.Shadow]

These!!

http://artgraphic.fabercastell.com/products/product_detail.aspx?id=93AE8E0AD021495381C495ADB39 9EF7D

http://artgraphic.fabercastell.com/ASSETS/3636C021221942F2A673DA62159C71CB/167115.jpg

They may not be as uberfine as the pens in Fade's post, but these pens are awesome!! And they don't scratch or 'clog' with paint!!