Lead Adventure Forum
Other Stuff => Workbench => Topic started by: Operator5 on March 06, 2010, 11:19:46 PM
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I started painting the canvas for my Cold Wars game. I will use this instead of terrain boards. It's not that I don't like building terrain boards, it's just that sometimes I need something a bit more portable. I do multiple conventions and having limited storage space, the bigger boards were just not going to happen. But, I didn't want to go with the felt blanket so, when I saw the canvas one posted here and one of the local gang wanted to start one as well, we split the cost of an 18' roll of painter's canvas.
This will not compare to the beautiful terrain that has been created by others, but it is good for those who need something that disappears easily.
The first is a long shot with paint down.
(http://www.rattrapproductions.com/Images/Projects/Canvas/canvas1.jpg)
The second one is to show why you want to use that natural sponge. On one half is the paint just spread across the canvas. Lots of streaks and it would take multiple coats to get rid of that (which would increase the chance of the paint cracking when you roll it). On the other half is the "dabble" approach using the natural sponge. Just dab it about the canvas and get rid of all those lines.
(http://www.rattrapproductions.com/Images/Projects/Canvas/canvas2.jpg)
I also wanted mine to be a 4' x 8' so I masked out the excess with regular painter's tape. It also makes it much easier to avoid getting it on the floor. :)
And, in just a couple of hours (with leaving time to dry), I have this done. Flock was added with spray adhesive and just scattering it on. I'll put a matte sealer on before I roll it up and we'll see how it transports.
(http://www.rattrapproductions.com/Images/Projects/Canvas/canvas3.jpg)
And here is a close shot with some terrain dropped on it.
(http://www.rattrapproductions.com/Images/Projects/Canvas/canvas4.jpg)
I now have a sturdy, portable, non-"sheet" board to play on.
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Very good, I like it alot and will be pinching that idea.
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Suggest that you Roll it up on a cardboard tube, with the painted side out. Then put a fabric cover over it for handling. Painted side out will tend to have the edges not prone to curl Up as much. Folding it will make creases that will take a while to settle out, if they do settle out at all. A tough fabric cover with sewn on ties (strips of cloth would work) makes it less likly to lose color and flocking due to rolling around or be drug in or out of your vehicle. My game mats are Felt with the spreadable caulking covred either in flocking or simply painted and are much more prone to the Curling problem, hence the rolling them up with playing surface out. Anyway, looks good.
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Bring extra turf/grass/ballast rocks and lichen to add to the matt during game setup. Adds some additional dimension to the terrain.
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Bring extra turf/grass/ballast rocks and lichen to add to the matt during game setup. Adds some additional dimension to the terrain.
I always do. :D
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Very interesting and effective - I hadn't thought of using canvas before. Is it heavy enough to lie flat? Thanks for sharing. :)
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I have been creating some foam tile mats and I have been using brown caulking to hold the flocking down. You can also use it for canvas, as this flickr set tutorial (http://www.flickr.com/photos/36331979@N00/sets/72157610259987470/detail/) shows.
When I get around to it, I will post a workbench thread with a few pictures and my experiences. Until then, I have a few out of date photos on my flickr set (http://www.flickr.com/photos/coreyburger/sets/72157623386485347/).
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That actually looks really cool.
You can get a medium for acrylic paint which makes it more bendable. It ain't cheap, but it would allow more of an impasto in your canvas.