A SEA TO FIGHT ON : THE TABLE-TOP
The table-top must be made to look like the sea.
Two things are essential for a good sea: 1) It must not be a uniform colour 2) It must not be a drab colour.
Two methods can be used - make a cloth sea or else paint the table-top.
CLOTH SEAS
I prefer cloth for a the sea because it gives a 'lively', changing appearance like the sea naturally does.
Buy a cotton or flannel sheet - not material which shows the weave but one with a very short pile.
This may have a suitable colour already or you can put it in a bucket with some diluted emulsion or acrylic paint. Then open it out to see how it looks - put it back in the bucket and crumple it around more if it needs more colour or a finer pattern. When happy with the pattern let it dry on a line.
Cloth seas should be kept crumpled NOT FOLDED.
Fix the sea all around the table edge with pins or clips. You can use the weighted hangers used for picnic tablecloths or fix elasticated straps which pass under the table. The aim is always to keep the cloth gently taut.
You can also buy ready-made base-mats. These are printed on felt.
Available from ..
Two things are essential for a good sea: 1) It must not be a uniform colour 2) It must not be a drab colour.
Two methods can be used - make a cloth sea or else paint the table-top.
CLOTH SEAS
I prefer cloth for a the sea because it gives a 'lively', changing appearance like the sea naturally does.
Buy a cotton or flannel sheet - not material which shows the weave but one with a very short pile.
This may have a suitable colour already or you can put it in a bucket with some diluted emulsion or acrylic paint. Then open it out to see how it looks - put it back in the bucket and crumple it around more if it needs more colour or a finer pattern. When happy with the pattern let it dry on a line.
Cloth seas should be kept crumpled NOT FOLDED.
Fix the sea all around the table edge with pins or clips. You can use the weighted hangers used for picnic tablecloths or fix elasticated straps which pass under the table. The aim is always to keep the cloth gently taut.
You can also buy ready-made base-mats. These are printed on felt.
Available from ..
PAINTED SEAS
Not everyone can paint their wargaming table to make a seascape.
Possible alternatives are:
- paint the back of a reversible table-top.
- paint a thin hardboard overlay to your usual board and store it
- use a cotton/nylon sheet pinned taut and paint onto that
- paint the table and get an overlay for land wargaming