I did a search for "banner," "standard," and "writing," and I couldn't find what I was looking for, so I thought I'd start a thread to ask...

For the upcoming Standards contest (I'm really pushing the line here..), I plan on painting my DIY chapter's banner. I think I can do symbols and the likes well enough with some practice - my concern is the writing. I have a chapter motto that I want to get on the banner, but I don't know how to easily do it and make it look... well, neat. Good.

Any suggestions on how to put writing on a chapter banner?

I guess it depends on the size of the motto and the size of the banner your putting it on. I suggest that you use a very shapr pencil to rough out what you want it to look like. Then use a fine point, and I mean like .4 sized fine point drawing marker to carfully write in the words. YOu can then always come back over with paint to cover mistakes and then need it be rewrite certain parts. Or instead of using a marker you could always use a good fine point brush and just speand a good 1/2 hour crafully writing out the motto. Ive done it and it cane be very duanting at first, but the reseults are worth the time.

There are many ways of doing this. Thw most common being freehand or writing on. The writing involves a special type of pen used by artists and it should be fine enough to write onto the desired areas. The other, takes a lot more time and effort. This link from CMON might help:

http://www.coolminiornot.com/article/aid/72


KU

You might also try tech pens. I've found that they work very well for both sketching symbols and finalizing the detail. Dark and medium hues generally cover a tech pen sketch with one to two coats, depending.

Thanks for the help - the pens sound like the best idea for someone who isn't too good with a paint brush, heh. I can spend however much time, so long as I can see progress, otherwise I'll give up hope.

The motto is "Concordia et Fides" and I need it to fit reasonably well on a single line on the banner that comes in the Space Marine Command Squad box, in maybe semi-fancyish lettering.

Anyone have links to where I can find the pens, and/or any articles on how to use them to get the result that I want? I'm only going to have a single banner, so I don't really want to screw it up..

I would recommend lightly sketching the words onto the banner with a small mechanical pencil.

I use the micron pigma pens all the time. You can find them at Michaels, or other art supply/craft stores. You might even be able to pick them up at a larger paper store such as staples...

You can write over the pencil and it should be fine. Dullcote or other flat varnish will kill the shine of the ink/pencil and it should blend in nicely. You can always go over the pen with paint and brush to make it blend in even more but the pen should be sufficient.

Cheers,

-Mike

Micron pigma pens, hun... I'll have to check our Michael's out.. pretty sure we have one around here somewhere. XD

I'm assuming I should write the text after painting (obviously after priming), and should I put the varnish over the entire model, or just the part with text?

Paint the whole figure first - then do the text last. I usually end up varnishing several times during the painting process - so you really don't need to wait until the end... it is just something you should do to:

a) set the ink so it won't smudge
b) dull down the ink somewhat so it is on par with the rest of the figure

Remember to keep the pencil marks as light as you can. They are just a guide and the lighter they are the easier they are to clean up if you end up making a mistake. Another good idea is to put the first work and the last word in place and then fit the rest in. This will help you with your spacing. If you don't get it right at first keep trying by adjusting the first and last word - then filling in the rest.

Cheers,

-Mike