REAL COLOR MARKERS: Your Mileage May Vary 
Are you curious about using solvent-based REAL COLOR markers on your scale models? Here’s what you need to know:
Managing Expectations
✅ Marker Highlights
- High-pigment, matte formula (some hues lean toward satin)
- Solvent-based for zero smudging or reactivation
🎨 Perfect For
- Accessories & small details
- Cockpits, wheels, interiors, tiny vehicles
- tools and accessories
🔮 Miniature & Fantasy Figures
- Fine Detail & Highlights: Pick out eyes, runes, and straps with surgical precision—no brush required.
- Layered Effects: Build up glows and magical auras by lightly stippling successive layers.
- Weathering & Wear: Add chipped armour, battle scars, or blood spatters right out of the pen.
- Colour Blends: While full wet-blend isn’t possible, you can feather two adjacent tones by quickly layering one over the other and then softening the transition with a light dab of dry pigment or AK Weathering Pencils.
- Tip: For metallics or shimmering finishes, draw your base metallic with the marker, then damp dry-brush a complementary traditional paint to catch the edges.
🚫 Not a Paint Replacement
- You can’t wet-blend, feather, or dry-brush like with traditional paint
- Tip: For vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges, pre-prime with white to boost saturation
🔄 Layering & Coverage
- Apply a second coat almost immediately
- Light colours may need extra passes (especially over dark surfaces)
- Dark colours will cover more opaquely
🛡️ Durability
- Each marker delivers roughly 60–70 meters of “writing”
- Paint over marker work without worry—great for crisp camo edges, mottling, or quick touch-ups
🖌️ Tips & Tricks
- Full-kit hack: When you just need “one more little detail,” grab your marker—paint, weather, and you’re done in minutes!
- Finish your way: Seal with any matte, satin, or gloss varnish to match your project’s look.
💡 Quick, precise, and portable—REAL COLOR markers can be the perfect last-mile tool in your modelling arsenal!

Key Point Takeaway
- High-Pigment, Solvent-Based Markers: Offer matte (sometimes satin) coverage with no smudging or reactivation.
- Ideal for Small Details: Perfect for accessories, cockpits, wheel hubs, and tight spots where precision matters.
- Not a Full-Scale Paint Substitute: Lacks capabilities like wet blending, feathering, and dry brushing—use traditional paints for large areas and advanced techniques.
- Pre-Prime for Vibrancy: Apply a white undercoat for true-to-tone reds, yellows, and oranges.
- Quick Layering: Second coats can go on immediately; light colours may need extra passes, darks cover more opaquely.
- Long-Lasting & Durable: Each marker yields approximately 60–70 meters of coverage and can be overpainted without disturbing underlying work—ideal for crisp camo edges and touch-ups.
- Finish with Varnish: Seal your work with matte, satin, or gloss varnish to achieve the desired final look.
Use REAL COLOR markers as your fast, precise, “last-mile” tool to add that final flourish without breaking out the airbrush!
Details in a stroke,
Solvent ink flows, sharp and bold—
Models come to life.

James (Doc) Wooldridge
James is a dedicated scale modeller, researcher, and respected author with a deep passion for the craft. His meticulous approach brings exceptional detail and historical accuracy to every project. Renowned for his super-detailing techniques and authentic colour schemes, James has been featured on Scalemates and even in Google Featured Snippets. As an active contributor to a leading scale modelling Facebook community, he regularly shares innovative techniques and fresh perspectives. He also produces engaging video tutorials for a major scale modelling club and is an accomplished scale model photographer, presenting his work with professional polish. A founding executive of both KSM–IPMS and Kawartha Scale Modellers, James continues to shape and inspire the hobby through visionary leadership, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.💡📏 📐📱🎬 📷 🎥