How to create streaks with oils?

[Gazzas]

I can't paint a straight line to save my life.  Consequently my oils streaking never looks good or even plausible.  Does anyone have a technique?

[thierry laurent]

Use pastels on a flat surface. Put a small dot of pastel powder at the starting point of the strain and simply use a large flat brush moving from that point to create a strain. Repeat the process as much as you want. There is just one drawback: you cannot touch the stain and adding a clear coat is not easy without modifying the effect.

[Juggernut]

Do the same thing with oil paint.  Put a small dab (pin head or smaller) where you want the stain to originate.  Then using a cloth/tissue, etc dampened with thinner (and I mean only barely damp), wipe the stain in the direction of airflow.  The result should be a stronger stain at the origin and a steak of lessening intensity as it progresses aft.  Practice on scrap before committing to model to hone your skills and decide what you like and what you don't.

 

You can use larger dabs of oil paint but start with small ones as to not over-do it.  Once the oil paint is dry (it has a tendency to dry faster than not), you're free to overcoat it with flat, gloss, whatever finish you're looking for.  I would not use an oil/lacquer based varnish on it though (if applying with a brush) as it may react with the stain and ruin what you set out to do.

[Gazzas]

14 hours ago, thierry laurent said:

Use pastels on a flat surface. Put a small dot of pastel powder at the starting point of the strain and simply use a large flat brush moving from that point to create a strain. Repeat the process as much as you want. There is just one drawback: you cannot touch the stain and adding a clear coat is not easy without modifying the effect.

 

I like that idea.  I never even considered pastels.  I will definitely see what I can do.

[Gazzas]

11 hours ago, Juggernut said:

Do the same thing with oil paint.  Put a small dab (pin head or smaller) where you want the stain to originate.  Then using a cloth/tissue, etc dampened with thinner (and I mean only barely damp), wipe the stain in the direction of airflow.  The result should be a stronger stain at the origin and a steak of lessening intensity as it progresses aft.  Practice on scrap before committing to model to hone your skills and decide what you like and what you don't.

 

You can use larger dabs of oil paint but start with small ones as to not over-do it.  Once the oil paint is dry (it has a tendency to dry faster than not), you're free to overcoat it with flat, gloss, whatever finish you're looking for.  I would not use an oil/lacquer based varnish on it though (if applying with a brush) as it may react with the stain and ruin what you set out to do.

 

Thank you.  I will give that a try.  I was trying to do something similar with a brush...   but it just never worked.  I couldn't get enough control to maintain a straight line.

[thierry laurent]

Actually you can do it with close to any paint that is 'greasy' enough. That is why oil paints are commonly used (but on a satin or gloss surface). You will have more control with dry pastels as the effect is more subtle. So you can more easily correct while adding additional layers on a satin/flat surface. The excess can simply be blown away. 

[Gazzas]

14 minutes ago, thierry laurent said:

Actually you can do it with close to any paint that is 'greasy' enough. That is why oil paints are commonly used (but on a satin or gloss surface). You will have more control with dry pastels as the effect is more subtle. So you can more easily correct while adding additional layers on a satin/flat surface. The excess can simply be blown away. 

 

Perhaps I have been letting my paints leach out too much oil.  Thank you.

[chukw]

 

Edited January 22 by LSP_Kevin
Fixed image link

[chukw]

1 minute ago, chukw said:

I absolutely forget how to post images on the current forum, but this link works. The same technique works for oils, and that rubber brush (a sculpting tool) is just dandy to "pull" the dot- no fibers or oily fingers. 

[LSP_Kevin]

You had a trailing space at the end of your image link, Chuck (that's what the "%20" bit means). Fixed it for you.

 

Kev

[mozart]

Possibly not available in your neck of the woods Gaz, but my go-to is Flory Dark Dirt  Applied wet, sparsely or liberally, allow to dry as much or little as you want, then wipe away with a slightly damp tissue. Infinitely variable in its uses. 

Edited January 22 by mozart

[dmthamade]

Did oil streaking on a build with Tamiya panel accent colors and a can of compressed air. Might not be what your looking for.

 

I've used my airbrush to blow the "oil" as well, turned pressure  down for more control. Make sure air is dry, air brush unloaded, 'cuz one time i didn't....

 

Don