Painting shields

[Maerk]

I'm working on my first two DBA-Armies : Medieval German IV/13b and Later Swiss IV/79 both from Mirliton.

I've chosen two medieval armies because I like the bunch of clourful flags, pennants and shields on the battlefield. There's no problem with the flags, but I can't paint these shields aside from very simple patterns ! I've tried and tried to paint a simple star - it looks awful (more like a daisy flower).

How do you manage to get these shields painted so beautifully ?

[Simon Miller]

Transfers will get you a long way there! Veni Vidi Vici do a great selection.

Otherwise it's a fine-pointed brush and a Rotring pen with a tiny point.

In 28 mm there's a fantastic new range of transfers, but I assume you are into 15s?

[Paul A. Hannah]

Originally posted by Maerk:
How do you manage to get these shields painted so beautifully?Practice, patience and plenty of touch-ups. smile.gif

It's understandable to feel some frustration as you paint shields on your first armies. Most of us here probably did only average work, at best, when we started painting miniatures.

Stars are really quite difficult to paint since the eye expects to see perfect symmetry. Look through your painting guide for other shield patterns that might prove easier for you. In fact, those ubiquitous lions that show up so often in medieval heraldry are easier than you might think. A few well-placed squiggles with the brush and you've got it!

Or, maybe you will find that you have a good hand for painting checks. (This is maddening for some, easy for others.) Give it a go, touch-up a few times, and watch as you hand improves over time. Then, later on, let your ego soak it all in when somebody asks you if you used decals on your shields. :D

[RonG]

Check out Fanaticus resources. Plenty of flags for your armies there! Also check out eye candy for those shields. ;)
http://www.fanaticus.org/DBA/guides/banners.html
http://www.fanaticus.org/DBA/eyecandy/index.html

[ January 20, 2005, 07:46: Message edited by: Xanthippus ]

[Matthew Bailey]

Originally posted by Maerk:
I'm working on my first two DBA-Armies : Medieval German IV/13b and Later Swiss IV/79 both from Mirliton.

I've chosen two medieval armies because I like the bunch of clourful flags, pennants and shields on the battlefield. There's no problem with the flags, but I can't paint these shields aside from very simple patterns ! I've tried and tried to paint a simple star - it looks awful (more like a daisy flower).

How do you manage to get these shields painted so beautifully ? I posted a thread about Stencils a while back, but nobody seemed to say anything about it.

I have been able to get some incredible detail (and multiple times) by using a series of stencils. For a simple star that you only want to make ONE of. Take a stack of two or three post-it notes. Draw the star on it. Cut it out with a razor blade (making sure to go though all of the notes), and then peel-off one of the notes and stick it on the shield to be painted. Then use a drybrush of white to paint the star onto the shield (if it is to be a lighter color on a darker color. If it is to be a darker on a lighter, use the actual color). If you want a color other than white after it has dried. Peel-off the post-it note from the shield, and then paint the appropriate color over the white area that was created by the stencil.

If you do this with a whole stack of post-it notes you can create a whole unit of men with the same shield pattern. Like I did with my Spartan and Greeks (Except for the generic Greeks I have 7 different shield patterns in 6 different colors, with 6 different backgrounds. In other words I have a couple hundred different shield patterns that all match the appropriate pattern).

You could easily use this method to produce medeival patterns.

[Bill Sumruld]

I do an interesting twist sometimes. I will photocopy a shield or shields that I like, reduce to the right size and paint it before I ever try to put it on the shield (Easier to paint flat)and then use a light mixture of water and Elmer's glue to moisten the back and attach to the shield. Final paint touchups if any are needed and then I use the sealant over that. Works like a charm if sometimes a bit fiddly. You can get some spectacular results though.

[nick hux]

Originally posted by Matthew Bailey:
I posted a thread about Stencils a while back, but nobody seemed to say anything about it. Matthew,

I for one was interested, but imagined it must be something really complicated!

Now you have described it (and it doesn't need any major expense ;) ) I think I'll give it a try.

Thanks,

Nick

[Matthew Bailey]

Originally posted by nick hux:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Matthew Bailey:
I posted a thread about Stencils a while back, but nobody seemed to say anything about it. Matthew,

I for one was interested, but imagined it must be something really complicated!

Now you have described it (and it doesn't need any major expense ;) ) I think I'll give it a try.

If you know anything about silk-screening; you can use this method to produce full color shield patterns. Since most shields do not have photogrphic quality blazons or patterns, but medeivals will have multi-colored shields. You can make a stencil using each color, and layer the colors to produce some surprising and sharp lined heraldic patterns.

Thanks,

Nick </font>[/QUOTE]

[Stelzone]

You can now get blank decal paper for your inkjet and laserjet printers. I have made up a whole page of decals for Celts,Macedonian successors, dark age and medievals.

I tried the injet and wasn't real satisfied with the result. But, a family member invested in a color laserjet and it looks like it will work very well. Will let you know how well later.

I'm wondering if anyone else is trying this?

[Odious Asparagus]

I've thought about creating blazons in photoshop or illustrator and then printing them out on a color laser printer. I wasn't sure about the decal paper, however. I'm assuming this type of paper can be found at Staples or Comp USA?

[Gyula]

I just made up some shield decals for my EIR army. (I've been making decals for a couple of years for my other hobbies). I created the artwork in photoshop and then printed them out using the Inkjet decal film from Micro-Mark. You can buy white background or clear film. They also carry an assortment for Laser printers as well. The web site is www.micromark.com (http://www.micromark.com)

If you use an inkjet,you will also need a can of "Fixative" for the decals (basically it is an acrylic coating from Krylon). It will seal the decal and keep it from wiping off the film.

Hope this helps,

Gyula

[Stelzone]

Originally posted by Gyula:
I just made up some shield decals for my EIR army. (I've been making decals for a couple of years for my other hobbies). I created the artwork in photoshop and then printed them out using the Inkjet decal film from Micro-Mark. You can buy white background or clear film. They also carry an assortment for Laser printers as well. The web site is www.micromark.com (http://www.micromark.com)

If you use an inkjet,you will also need a can of "Fixative" for the decals (basically it is an acrylic coating from Krylon). It will seal the decal and keep it from wiping off the film.

Hope this helps,

Gyula I tried the inkjet with the sealer, but either got it on to light or to thick. First time it was to thin and as they soaked they bleed, second attempt they cracked as i bent the decal to form to the sheild and they bleed. Third attempt was doomed from the start tried to do two coats to try and find the best way, well the cat got into the room and roamed over the duct work in the work room, you can figure the results of dust and sealer. Frustration and waste caused me to almost give up.

My mother of all people spent the money for a color laserjet and when I found out took a sheet over to her house to see how it would go. The test i did after was great, water proof ink and no bleeding.

I have about 50 to 70 decals on the sheet and hope they all work well. Will let you know later.

As to the sealer though, how did you get it to work without bleeding. I tried wide margins even to get them to work. I wasted three sheets trying???

Mike S.

[beckerdo]

I made shield decals with decal paper from Bel Inc. (http://www.beldecal.com/). That source was cheaper than the MicroMark paper.

I printed designs to paper using my Epson printer. Then I sealed with Krylon matte varnish. I did notice the ink would bleed when I applied varnish too lightly.

However, the end result was nice. Edges came out nice and crisp.

[Gyula]

Mike,
I also wasted a sheet of film the first try. I finally just used a few quick passes holding the can about 12 inches from the film. I let it dry then hit it later with a coulpe of more quick passes. I also sprayed outside on a sunny day. (Dont know if it makes a difference but at least there was no odor in the basement afterwards) Decals have held up as I have them on My R/C Yachts and tug. They are well sealed as they get a lot of water on them. I also make my own decals for my 15mm WWII equipment. Even wound up using them to make aircraft symbols for 1:1200 warships. Now that was interesting. Guess now its time to put the EIR shields on and see how they turn out.

Thanks Dan for the info on the other source, I'm running low on film with a few projects in the offing .......so Its off to order go.

Good luck,

Gyula