There’s no doubt that panel lining really adds to the look of a kit. I must have used every method (thinned enamels and acrylics) and type of pen and paint to do this over the years. I’ve always liked the Pilot DR drawing pen as they come in a good range of sizes, and their black ink is nice and black and easy enough to work with, being able to be wiped off with your thumb or finger as long as you’re quick enough.

Maybe it’s the paints I’m using now, but I found that my DR pens would dry up very quickly when used on a painted or top-coated model. It’s as if the paint dissolves and contaminates the nib and thus renders the pen useless. This set me off on a quest to find better pens.

I’ve tried the Gundam brand pens, and although they’re nice and black (or other colours too) they’re hard to wipe off compared to the DR and clog/dry up just as easily.

So I tried the Sakura Micron pens. They’re similar to the DR, but I still prefer the DR and they still dry up.

And finally I spent the cash and got a Rapidograph technical pen and ink. This works and although does clog, it’s cleanable to get it going again. Just as I was getting the hang of it, it broke and had to be sent in for repair.

But kit painting doesn’t stop because your pens are out of action, so I did more reading and found that oil paints work well for panel lining. I have many decent artists oil paints and  the mineral spirits, so I gave it a go. They’re so much easier than using the enamel wash because they’re slow to dry (so you don’t get waste if you’re doing lining over the course of the build rather than all at the end) and the clean-up is easy, either using your thumb, using a cotton swab or paper towel, and if you must, a dab of mineral spirits for a tough spot, not that even leaving to dry over-night really leaves tough spots! The oil is easily removable over acrylic, and very easily removable over a top coat of Future Finish.

And today my Rapidograph has arrived back from “repair” – they just sent a new one, so between the pen and the oil, I think I’ve got the winning combination.