Okay, a brief update today as we have a big game, photoshoot and impromptu Eisteddfod today, with the Welsh Wizard himself, Sir Michael “It’s Not Unusual” Hobbs, bringing his War of 1812 toys. Indeed, as I type this he is speeding towards Lard Island in the Druidmobile so I need to be quick as he’ll probably turn up demanding mistletoe, virgins or similar.
So, yesterday began with a chocolate brown undercoat on the beach sections followed by several layers of dry-brushing up to get this effect. As we saw in the last episode this comes out a bit dark, but fear not.
Next I used the Humbrol Desert Tan to blend the new boards in with the old and then dry-brushed two lighter colours than we have used thus far onto that, namely Caramel Cream from the Homebase Home of Colour range and good old plain white. These layers were applied with a flat headed brush which I normally use for bry-brushing dust and detritis onto larger models such as 28mm tanks or buildings.
I am considering what colour to paint the sea, but you can see that I have run the sand colour down below the beach itself, so I want to get a transition between blue sea and the beach. The Yacht varnish is on its way, so thats probably a job for the weekend. Here’s what the whole thing may well look like with the benefit of “CGI” (a quick blue shape in Photoshop…). Actually, the blend will be a bit better, or at least I hope so.
From the perspective of the game, the important thing is that the British get a choice of where to land and the cutter can cruise just off-shore adding its firepower.
Readers may well recall that I mentioned knocking up an oasis to provide the water supply for the fort. Well, had a bit of a clear our yesterday and I found a few bits and pieces which I had produced for our Chain of Command games in the western desert. Here’s what I found:
Yes, an oasis. And a few palm trees. I have actually bought some smaller, stumpier palms for this project, but knowing have these is handy as if time does run out I can just field these ones.
Finally, the great news is that the Arab fort arrived in the post yesterday.
The bad news is that it is the ultimate flat-pack Arab fort, in other words it’s a sheet of blue styrofoam. My plan for today is to design the fort while I am awaiting the arrival of His Wizardliness. Not a lot else will get done today as after we have done the 1812 stuff Nick and I will be taking The Wiz around Lard Island and showing him the sights. In my experience “the sights” tends to start with beer and end with curry with little or nothing in between (maybe a packet of Monster Munch?), so tomorrow will be time for the busy bunny to swing into action.
Right off to practice for the sing-along. Ahem.
Gwlad, Gwlad, pleidiol wyf i’m gwlad…
Far East 1941 Lists for Chain of Command
In December 1941 the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour announced the entry of a vicious and sinister player into the wider World War. On the following day Japanese troops invaded British possessions in Malaya and China, threatening the strategic centres of Singapore and Hong Kong. The atrocities committed by the Japanese throughout the 1930s in
4 thoughts on “Getting the Horn Part Three: Midnight at the Oasis”
Very inspirational. Looking forward to seeing how you are going to do the water and the flat Arab fort.
Shaping up nicely.
(A word of advice? You may want to black out the address and other details on the packaging. The information there in those photos can be used for ID theft).
Your ability to just knock together great-looking terrain is nauseating, Rich. For mere mortals, this kind of thing takes months. That said, I’m really looking forward to seeing this stuff. Is the blue foam not available at the local DIY store?
Hi Brian
No blue foam in local stores. A model shop in London ships it next day delivery. 4D models, excellent service.
Rich