Painting Road Stripes on bases

[Pouvla]

Im almost done painting all my zombies and now I can turn my eyes on the detail stuff. I would really like my runners to stand out more and saw these runners.
Im just too newbie to know what the best way to paint stripes like these, I would really like to avoid masking tape at all cost as it would take too much time considering how many runners I have - will it work if I cut the holes on a thin cardboard and use it as a template or will it get smudged by the paint?
Freehanding it doesnt seem like a good idea..

Painter: Muzza from BGG


View attachment 32282

 

[MAXXxxx]

if you are thinking about lines like on the pic I'd go with masking tape or freehand.

- Freehand straigth lines are not that hard, and after the 3rd or 4th it can be done really fast.
- masking tape migth cost extra, but for simple lines like that it can really speed up the process. (and you could use a larger tape, with the lines cut out as a stencil for the brushwork and reuse it 4-5 times before needing a new one)

 

[oistene]

As I discovered, masking tape requires that your base is real smooth, or the paint with just go under the tape. I applied lava pumice in a rather bumpy manner, which disagreed with the masking tape. However, if you plan for it, you can make sure that the area you want the stripes in is smoother than the rest - masking tape is really the way to go. MUCH faster than freehand, even considering the time to place the tape. Could be hard to fit a template in, but if you do, try making one out of plasticard instead of card, as it won't get soaked by the paint.

 

[Zab]

Masking tape and blister foam sponging for the yellow. One of GW's base paints would work well. Fast, easy and looks like worn down road paint.

 

[Wyrmypops]

That blister foam sounds cunning. For that splattered effect you get at the edges of painted road markings. I'd have just gone with freehanding a wide band myself, with smaller strokes to even out anything that needed it, and let the brush pick up and ignore the raised detail as they will to represent the splatter of the road painting machine.

 

[ced1106]

Just use paint pens. I know white goes on opaque, but haven't tried yellow. One white stripe worked fine for my tabletop needs!