Maybe it does to you, though to me it just looks like clumps of cotton wool. When I have used it in the past it has hung around for months and I can't count the time I've spent picking strands of the stuff off figures, bases, terrain, etc. And God forbid that anyone should wear a jumper. It tends to get squashed in storage, blows about in anything approaching Beaufort 1, and it mysteriously tends to get longer (to cover more frontage) during games. Also, after a while, given the other uses for cotton wool, it takes on the appearance of something you would rather not handle. With that in mind, and remembering the model hedges of times long gone, I decided to do 'cartoon' smoke to go with my 'cartoon' WW2 figures.
2 packs of cheap sponges were obtained from Boyes (69p for 6, but only 2 in a pack were white). I cut these in half, as shown.
Now I have to admit that I made a mistake here. Later, I found out that I had not pinched enough from the bottom edges - the smoke looked too firmly planted to the ground and I had to pinch out some more after some painting had been done.
I decided to base the smoke screens on 5" long 2mm MDF bases, textured with sand and grit, and again painted with household emulsion.
With the paint they are now quite rigid and will be easy to store. They have also lost all of their static charge; which worried me during the pinching out process.
I believe jumpers may well be in vogue again this season.
8 comments:
Great idea, thanks for sharing that. I need to make some smoke markers soon and you've given me plenty to ponder before I start on them.
I think it looks rather effective. nicely done.
Very nice effect. Much better than the cotton I've been using.
Jumper wearers everywhere salute you!
Thats a very nice idea. I used to use wire wool spray painted black & highlighted; similarly anti static but prone to being squashed flat if carelessly handled.
Nice idea, it looks a lot easier to use on the table than cotton wool.
Good idea!
Are the foam pieces durable enough?
Cheers
Stefan
510 For once I'll have to disagree, James; as well done as they are, I personally prefer the look of acrylic stuffing (preferably spray painted at least partially black). Mounting that on bases might eliminate some of your concerns. However, to each their own, of course!
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