help with painting buttons

Hi,

What scale are you painting? I paint 1/35 (or any scale) with enamel or acrylic...usually with a toothpick or something similar.

Metalic buttons, I use metallic paint and then depending on the color of uniform a drop of wash to let capilary action surround the button and define it a bit more.

For subdued buttons, whatever the appropriate color of the button and then a wash, once again so that the button is defined with a darker color. A little drybrushing to highlight the area dependent on light direction.

I use a 10/0 liner a 3/0 and a fine round for much of my painting.

All good advice. I also use a high quality ( read expensive ) special 10/0 liner brush for small details like buttons. The medium makes little difference, but I would usually use Humbrol enamel or Vallejo acrylic for small details, even if the most of the figure were done in oils.

Regards, Rick

Another tip for you guys: paint the buttons first with the color you want, then paint around them. It is easier than trying to paint a button when the surrounding area has been painted. If you paint the details with acrylics and let it dry and then paint the rest with oils, the oils can be washed off the buttons with a little thinner as well. I do this with a lot of fiddly little details, even on tanks.

Just another idea.