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'hand Knitted' Nameplates.

Discussion in 'Post Your Own Articles & SBS' started by DEL, Feb 8, 2013.

  1. DEL A Fixture

    Country:
    Scotland
    NAMEPLATES
    VF.jpg CS.jpg
    Following a few requests asking about how I did the nameplates I've used on some figures I thought it best to do a quick SBS........so here you go :)
    The first step before you do anything is to decide do you really want this type of nameplate for the model that you've invested so much time and passion into creating?
    Make no mistake that this in no way is ever going to be of the quality of professionally made plates from companies like the excellent Nameit. They do however have a certain charm and allow for a bit of experimentation.
    I feel that they tend to work best for the period between 10th and 16th Century as well as Pirate and some Fantasy figures. Basically any period where vellum or parchment was used.
    All the material used is easily available and between your workbox and refrigerator you probably have them all to hand. I’m assuming you have a printer and a Word type progamme on your computer.
    What you need:
    1. A4 Printer paper. I use a cream parchment paper I picked up years ago from a company called Paper Direct but I know you can get small packs of similar paper from most stationery outlets.
    2. Double sided tape.
    3. Thick Card (Mounting Board)
    4. Metal foil food container. Use as heavy a gauge as you can find. Marks & Spencer containers are the best I’ve come across.
    5. Yellow Ochre and Raw Umber oil paint
    6. Varnish. Humbrol Gloss Cote works really well
    7. A well worn brush and an old brush that’s still kept a bit of a point.
    8. Good quality bottle of beer
    materials.jpg
    How you do it:
    Cook and eat the contents of the food container. Wash container in hot soapy water and dry.
    Write out your name plate in the font of your choice. Make sure you don’t get too carried away with over fancy fonts, keep it simple and legible. Try and have a list of plates and print several on the same sheet. Place each title below the previous one leaving plenty of space between them. Select all text and choose the ‘align centre text’ option. Print in black.
    Leave for about 10 minutes for the ink to fully set.
    Lightly dab your worn brush into the Yellow Ochre and wipe most of it off (most people use paper but I prefer to use my trousers) use a light touch you can always go back over it.
    Scrub the paint around the text and pay particular attention to where you think the corners and edges of your finished plate will be.
    Cut out plate larger than your intended final size.
    Cut the base from the container, rub flat, and paint or spray prime one side only. Let dry and cut a piece slightly larger than the cut paper.
    Cover the unpainted area of the foil that will form the backing of the plate with double sided tape. Peel tape and stick the printed and painted paper plate to the foil and trim to final size.
    STEP 1.jpg
    Make a few small cuts around plate and gently curl the cut edges and corners of the plate. Make sure you avoid symmetry.
    Lightly dab the worn brush with Raw umber and scrub lightly into ‘shadow’ areas.
    Use the pointed brush to make little ‘flicks’ of Raw Umber paint along the edges of the plate.
    STAGE 2.jpg
    Flood varnish across the face of the plate, no need to wait for the paint to dry. The varnish will soak in and give a nice sheen finish.
    Cut a small piece of mounting card, and stick to back of plate and then to base.
    Some examples......
    JE.jpg RDP.jpg
    Drink the Beer
    Sorry guys a lot of words for what is a very easy process, hope the pictures help.
    Cheers
    Derek
  2. Tommi A Fixture

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    Brilliant ;) many thanks for sharing, I will put this to good use soon
    Cheers
    Tommi
    DEL likes this.
  3. Helm A Fixture

    Country:
    England
    See that's where mine have been going wrong Del you never mentioned beer on my list! Great SBS mate (y)

    Steve
    DEL likes this.
  4. housecarl Moderator

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    Excellent idea Del.
    Thanks for posting,
    Carl.(y)
    DEL likes this.
  5. Uruk-Hai PlanetFigure Supporter

    Country:
    Sweden
    Great SBS, Del!

    Will it work with american beer as well?

    Cheers
    Janne Nilsson
    Gellso and DEL like this.
  6. Steve Well-Known Member

    Country:
    United-States
    Janne, unless you can get ahold of some micro brewery suds, forget American beer. Del, there are some figures and busts that just scream for this sort of plate. Great SBS, thanks.
    DEL likes this.
  7. Ron Tamburrini A Fixture

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    Super SBS Del , BUT !!!! you forgot to say which beer works best:p

    Ron
    DEL likes this.
  8. DEL A Fixture

    Country:
    Scotland
    Tommi.... Look forward to seeing it on one of youR figure (y)
    Steve........ Sorry Steve I assumed the inclusion of beer in everything was in your DNA :D
    Carl.......... Cheers it really is dead easy :)
    Janne...... Shucks.. I ain't never tried none o' that likker ;)
    Steve....... Dead right some world class brews from the US micro scene :hungover:
    Ron......... Tell you what when we go to Euro you can line them up along the British Lion bar and I'll let you know ;)
  9. bagelman1952 Well-Known Member

    Country:
    England
  10. megroot A Fixture

    Country:
    Netherlands
    Many thanks Del.
    In witch hotel do you guys stay. I think I'm gonna stay one night this year, arriving at saturday and returning to the mainland at sunday.

    Marc
  11. DEL A Fixture

    Country:
    Scotland
    You're welcome Ken........still tough living in paradise eh? :D
  12. DEL A Fixture

    Country:
    Scotland
    Marc we stay in the Southcliff right across from the Leas, couldn't be closer......not the Hilton but not bad (y)
  13. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    Hi Del ,

    Great SBS resulting in a very effective and individual namepleate....

    and boy do we all suffer having to empty the contents of a tin foil container first !!!!

    one question ..what do you do with your trousers when they are full after wiping the brush!!!!

    Thanks for taking the time

    Nap ...off to the local takeaway :)
  14. John Bowery A Fixture

    Country:
    United-States
    Thanks Dell.
    Forget American beer that is Pixx beer as per the American GI's of WWII.
    Cheers
    John
  15. DEL A Fixture

    Country:
    Scotland
    Simple......I enter them for the Turner Prize......at least they've got paint on them :D
    napoleonpeart, Helm and Richie like this.
  16. DEL A Fixture

    Country:
    Scotland
    Hi John never mind forgetting American beer you've just reminded me of a great WWII GI creation, the Jager Bomb......and surprise surprise I've got some Jagermiester and Fanta Orange in the house......I'll sleep well tonight (y)
    Cheers
    Derek
  17. Richie A Fixture

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    Hi Del,
    Great SBS. Thirsty work all that, enough said.
    monkey drinking.jpg
    cheers
    Richie
    DEL likes this.
  18. DEL A Fixture

    Country:
    Scotland
    Thanks Richie......and a photo of a Celtic supporter drinking the dregs of discarded beer bottles.....excellent (y)
    Mark S and Richie like this.
  19. Ron Tamburrini A Fixture

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    :ROFLMAO:
  20. harrytheheid A Fixture

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    :LOL:....:LOL:
    Man, I don't half miss "the crack" at times, but this forum tends to make up for that. Occasionally many times over.

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