Painting to retain laser cut detail

[glennb17]

I'm building a paper lighthouse model, a compromise with my wifew on nautical displays to balance all my little work boats. I got a 1:72 model of the Westerheversand Lighthouse from Shipyard. There are some nice details of bricks and blocks cut part of the way through the pieces with the laser. How do i paint those pieces but retain the detail? My last model didn't have much of it and I am using the paints from that kit, full bodied acrylics in a little pot. I tried to thin my paint with a little water but, predictably, I got a lot of warping of the pieces still uncut from the page.

 

Any ideas? The pictures of the model still show the detail and the details under white, red, and black paint subtly, and the lines on the black portions look slightly brassy (but maybe just their photography). If you have an idea and a picture, I would be very grateful.

 

Glenn

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[Oldsalt1950]

You might want to see if you can find ARTEZA brush pens, They are water colors and do not warp paper when used and will allow the laser cut lines to show through. Here is a link to their website: Real Brush Pens. Hope this helps

 

Jim

 

[Bob Cleek]

You may find less warping problems if you thin your acrylic paint with alcohol. Experiment with scrap material to be sure this will work with your particular paper and paint.

 

I think the task you describe would be best accomplished by using an airbrush. "Full bodied acrylics from a little pot" are not the best for retaining detail. Retaining detail requires a light application of thin paint, generally in multiple thin coats. 

 

 

[glennb17]

Thanks guys! I did airbrush after thinning some titanium white and Grumbacher red. The detail was retained. I am still going to get some markers to play with, but I figured for this one I should leave well enough alone. I wanted to do something like panel lining, but I think the lighthouse keepers pride themselves on keeping a clean coat of paint.

 

I'm attaching a few pictures. This is 1:72 scale. The actual lighthouse was built in 1906, so I found a to-scale period figure who is meant to be German. We've named him Carl. This model made it to the living room so a big hit at home.

 

Thanks for the helpful comments!

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