Today I did not feel like playing a game and decided to create a Japanese themed backboard instead for a bit of fun and also to complete a family challenge. The challenge was to create something in January with the theme of falling water, which explains why the scenery has waterfalls. I have completed a backboard before for my WW2 Western Desert games using just water colours. This time I used artist pastels because of details like trees and waterfalls.
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| Japanese themed backboard with Samurai. |
The whole thing took a lot less time than I expected and I was able to complete in half a day. I used a foam board and started off sketching out the landscape using water colours. Once all dry I then applied chalk based artist pastels. A coat of clear sealer was sprayed on at the end to hold the pastel in place so they don't smudge when used.
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| The sketch drawing using water colours. |
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| The scenic backboard in place |
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| A closer view |
The drawing is pretty basic but suitable enough for wargaming purposes.
I really like the back board you have created.
ReplyDeleteThanks. The pastels are a forgiving material and mistakes can be undone.
DeleteVery nice backdrop Peter - you've certainly got an artistic touch.
ReplyDeleteThose evening art classes attended years ago proved useful. Thank.
DeleteBackdrop looks great, Peter! Wish I had you talent and ambition.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I was a bit unsure how it was going to turn out halfway through.
DeleteLooks great! Colored chalk is a good idea.
ReplyDeleteThanks. The pastels worked well as you can easily correct errors. A coat of sealer was definitely required at the end as pastels can be messy otherwise.
DeleteVery effective
ReplyDeleteA fun mini-project and one that will add to the photos when I get around to having a game. Thanks.
DeleteThat's lovely, what a great idea!
ReplyDeleteI noticed a few blogs have backboards and they certainly help with the photos they post.
DeleteWorks for me Peter and maybe something to tackle in the future for my games. At least it would make some shots more easy as I wouldn't have to worry about the chairs and radiator in the background!
ReplyDeleteThe clutter in the background is always a challenge even after cropping the photographs.
DeleteWot no volcano? Surely all the best battles are fought in the shadow of Mount Fuji? Seriously, it looks great and will really make the battles pop. Did you consider using spay paint and templates to create that fade away at the bottom effect like the famous Sekigahara screen?
ReplyDeletehttps://stmuscholars.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Sekigahara_Kassen_By%C5%8Dbu-zu_Gifu_History_Museum-2048x931.jpg
I was very tempted to have a Mount Fuji. As for the backboard itself, I stuck with materials I already had and knew how to work with. On my one trip to Japan I remember lots of trees and water falls when travelling outside the cities. Never got to see Mt. Fuji though, too much cloud on the day.
DeleteI love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks. They can make a big difference to the photographs taken of games.
DeleteReally need to get on to doing the falling water challenge for myself 😅 Looks great!
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteWhat a great idea!
ReplyDeleteThanks. I am planning to do another one with a Northern European terrain look to it. I just need to purchase some more foam board.
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