Morter lines in brick

[Expresslane]

 

  I picked up some G scale American type buildings on ebay. All in kit form. You put together and paint the way you want. They went together OK and I used red primer for the brick walls. I want to see the morter lines but how? Tried a wash but the brick get more color than I want. There must be some way to do this without using a very small brush and painting all the morter lines. Anybody have an idea?    Thanks.

[altterrain]

I use washes. Thinned out acrylic paints (cheap craft store stuff). I thin it out with lightly soapy water about 1:4 and then slop it on with a sponge brush (wall laying flat) and let it set for a minute. Then I blot up the excess with paper towels (have lots handy). It may take two doses. When done I give it a couple of coats of spray matte acrylic (not dullcote!).

Another tip - I do most of the painting before I put the kit together. 

 -Brian 

[Expresslane]

 

   Thanks Brian.  Soapy water is what was missing. I'll try that.

[Takasaki Matt]

And after that you could dry brush the bricks to add some texture detail.  This will bring out the bricks more and give you a more uneven colour to the walls.  I have a rather stiff brush that I use only for drybrushing.

[TheJoat]

I've also used tile grout...but it's a lot more work than the wash Brian mentioned.