AK Real Colors Markers: a comprehensive guide to painting military models
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How many times have you wanted to paint a small detail and thought it wasn't worth setting up the airbrush for? AK Real Colors Markers are the answer to that problem. I've been testing them for a couple of weeks on several projects and I have to admit that they surprised me much more than I expected. In this guide, I'll tell you everything you need to know: what you can do with them, their limitations, and how to get the most out of them for your 1/35 scale military models.
If you prefer to watch it in video, here are the live tests. But stick around, because there are details below that aren't in the video.
Why Markers Make Sense in Military Modeling
The airbrush is irreplaceable for large camouflage patterns, gradients, and light effects. That won't change. But there are situations where setting up the equipment, mixing the paint, cleaning, and storing everything feels disproportionate for what you need to paint: a screw head, an impact mark, the details of a tool strapped to the chassis, a small touch-up area.
That's where acrylic paint markers have been trying to make their mark in modeling workshops for years. The problem is that most weren't formulated with our hobby in mind: poor coverage, non-military colors, tips that would fray with the first aggressive pass. AK Real Colors Markers directly address these three problems.
The special set of 34 markers covers a range from classic greens, grays, and ochres of WWII armored vehicles to metallic colors for engine details, weapons, and equipment. It's not a product to replace your painting routine, but to intelligently complement it.
What You Can Do with AK Real Colors Markers: Real Tests
On Primed and Textured Plastic
The first test I did was on a primed and textured plastic piece—the most common scenario in any armored vehicle project. The coverage was what surprised me most: a first coat already covers well, and drying is almost immediate. If you apply the passes calmly, you'll notice them slightly, but that's easily resolved with a second coat. You barely need to press at all for the paint flow to be adequate—the sharp tip regulates the amount that comes out by itself.
For camouflage in small, already assembled areas, where getting an airbrush in is a headache, these markers provide a very decent solution. The final result, once weathering processes with oils or enamels are applied, is perfectly integrated.
🖊️ AK Real Colors Markers Special Box 34
Small Details: Impact Marks, Screws, Tools
This is where the sharp tip of these markers truly justifies their existence. Painting screw heads on a chassis, touching up an impact mark, or coloring tools strapped to the tank are tasks that require a lot of dilution and control with a brush, and are directly impractical with an airbrush. With the marker, the stroke is clean, the amount of paint is exact, and immediate drying prevents the paint from bleeding where it shouldn't.
For the most millimeter-precise finishes, I supplement them with the Nicpro 30-piece brushes, which are what I usually use in the workshop for the finest details.
On Unprimed Parts
This surprised me especially: AK markers work reasonably well even on unprimed plastic. It's not ideal—I'll always recommend priming with AMMO Black One Shot before painting any serious model—but for a quick color test, to check how a shade looks before committing with the airbrush, or for urgent touch-ups, the result is more than acceptable.
Dioramas and Scenery
Another possibility I hadn't considered: painting materials other than plastic. In dioramas and scenery, we work with foam, wood, resin, plaster... The markers adapt well to these surfaces and allow painting detailed elements without changing tools every two minutes.
What Markers DON'T Do and Where You DO Need an Airbrush
To be direct: AK Real Colors Markers don't eliminate weathering. They are a base and detail painting tool, not a final finishing tool. You'll still need to work with your usual weathering products over the color you've applied with the marker.
For panel line washes and streaks, AK Dark Streaking Grime remains indispensable. For filters and light effects that bring camouflage to life, Abteilung 502 ABT302 oils are the benchmark. For accumulated dust and dirt, AK Splatter Accumulated Dust.
Markers come before all of that, as part of the base painting phase. Don't think of them as a substitute—think of them as an extension of your arsenal that fills the gap between the airbrush and the fine brush.
Common Mistakes When Using Markers in Modeling
Pressing the tip too hard. It's not necessary. Excessive pressure deforms the sharp tip and prematurely degrades the marker. Let it flow naturally.
Not applying a second coat. Passes are noticeable in a single coat on textured surfaces. The second coat unifies the finish without needing to wait long between coats, thanks to quick drying.
Using them without subsequent varnish. The acrylic paint in the markers is susceptible to the solvents in weathering products, especially enamels. Always apply a coat of matte or satin varnish before moving on to weathering with enamels or Dark Streaking Grime.
Expecting them to cover a large area like an airbrush. For large surfaces, the airbrush is still the correct tool. Markers excel in details and touch-ups, not in the main camouflage of an entire T-34.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are AK Real Colors Markers compatible with other acrylic paints like Vallejo or AMMO?
Yes, the acrylic base is compatible. You can mix AK markers with Vallejo or AMMO layers without issue, as long as you let each layer dry thoroughly and apply varnish between the painting phase and weathering with enamels.
Can I use the markers directly on photo-etched metal or resin parts?
On metal, I always recommend priming first—adhesion on unprimed metal is very poor with any acrylic paint. On primed resin, they work perfectly, just like on plastic.
Is the 34-color set enough, or do I need to expand with individual colors?
The set covers the most common shades for WWII and modern armored vehicles. For typical 1/35 military modeling work, it's more than sufficient. If you work a lot with specific vehicles that use niche colors, AK has individual markers for expansion.
Conclusion
AK Real Colors Markers won't replace your airbrush or your set of oils, nor do they intend to. What they do is fill that gap between tools where you used to waste time or simply leave details unpainted. For small details, touch-ups, camouflage in assembled areas, and diorama work, they are a very intelligent addition to the workshop.
📚 AK Real Colors Markers — Amazon Spain
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Have you already tried AK markers? Tell me in the comments what surfaces you've worked on and what results you've obtained—I'm interested to know if you're also using them for figures or just for armored vehicles.