Tuesday 28 May 2013

WIND ?

I promise this has nothing to do with what I have eaten or my digestive tract in any way. This is in fact what I am considering using for my wind marker at the BROADSIDE show. I originally bought it for "Uncharted Seas" by Spartan Games. but until the weekend it had just sat there unpainted and un loved. I even tried to sell it at a bring and buy but no one else wanted it either. So this weekend I gave it some paint love and got it finished. From the time the undercoat took to dry to finish (still to be varnished more of this later) took about 20 minutes and most of that time was me procrastinating. IF it is used as a wind direction marker I will add a VERY almost "Persil" white line from it's mouth to the base edge so players will know for sure which ay the wind is blowing EXACTLY!

The reason It has yet to be varnished is that I have yet to varnish the boards for the show and It makes sense to me to do the wind marker and the boards at the same time so they have the same very glossy appearance.

My dilemma is whether it would be right to use this and not a more traditional arrow to identify the way the wind is blowing. An arrow is perhaps clearer and much more expected and a lot less likely for passers by to think I have introduced sea monsters into a Napoleonic Navel Game. If I do use this I will have to be ready for kids (and stoopid adults......you know who you are,) to leave the show thinking there was a fantasy sea battle. So my question is will people at the show be very literal or will they accept it as a wind marker?


That's it for today. next one is Thursday. So until then thanks for reading and let's get painting.
All the best Clint.

20 comments:

  1. Woot woot, nice marker for your fantasy sea battle game yet to be played a Broadside. Will you bring elves or dwarves? :)

    JK.. I can see your concern on it coming across a bit too fantasy or cartoony. What exactly are you going to be demoing though? If it is historicals then I would have to say you might want to go back to traditional arrows. :(

    Nice marker all the same though :) Just needs a few white highlights to give it a bit more definition.

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    1. The photo does not show the full range of tones. Trust me in real life there is enough white highlights.

      Yes the game will be historical. English vs Spanish ships in the Napoleonic era.... All very "Hornblower" and not very "Tolkien".

      I'll see what others say about the choice of wind markers. I still have 10 days so plenty of time to make one.

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  2. Gawd, it's a bit like peering into a mirror on the morning after the office party.

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    1. OMG My dyslexia is in full effect today.... I was trying to work out why you would Pee into a mirror! I have another one John I could paint it flesh tones with a hint of green if you like!

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    2. "trying to work out why you would pee into a mirror"

      well, he did say "the morning after the office party"... ;)

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    3. I am sure certain people who will remain nameless have done much worse at office parties!

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  3. A spot of creative design for the Napoleonic era - what could possibly go wrong? I like whatever you decide Clint.

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    1. Of all the wargames periods Napoleonic seems to be the most staid. But that really could be my impression and not reality.

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  4. Looks good to me, but then I come from a Fantasy background (in particular D&D).

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    1. I was a role player before a wargamer. So I am open to either option.

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  5. I like it,
    Sure it may be a bit fantasyish, but surely it would look far better on the tabletop over a giant garish arrow?

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  6. Hmmm, it does look rather like a watery skull (particularly in the last pic).

    As you have 10 days, maybe do something similar but with less "body"?

    Napoleonics? Not the corsairs of Umbar? *pout*

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    1. I think corsairs of Umbar could be an interesting game. But not this time.

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  7. I like it as it is and using it as a wind marker is an excellent idea.
    I'd be tempted to have a compass with the cardinal points on it on one of your boards and merely place the marker on the point the wind if blowing to or from.

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    1. Got to say I do like the idea. Nice one.

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  8. Looks good to me could you attach string to it with a weight on the other end and use it to show the direction that way? if you know what I mean?

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    1. Lol maybe even an anchor on the other end

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    2. I see what you mean. I'll think on it. Cheers mate.

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  9. What a wonderful idea there and so much better than a boring arrow. Maybe you could lighten one of the ends to show the direction of the wind

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    1. Cheers Pete. I have already added a better indication of direction on the model.

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