In May I am giving you the cannons as this months free basic bits!
You already got the easy ones and today come the advanced versions. Can you believe they are made out of paper? I think they look quite realistic!
If you want to thank someo... 2019-05-15 08:16:41 +0000 UTC View Post
I have started converting my 3D ships to 2D. Went with the jollyboat first and had to adjust quite a bit (esp with the dirt, shadows and old wood) and then decided to add a bulwark "top border". Looks much better than just taking the plain deck texture.
This sample page features the mix modifiers (a quick setting for getting some variety on one single page). Of course you can manually adj...
2019-05-14 09:07:17 +0000 UTC View Post
Here's a little update on one of the things I am working on these days.
I saw the plans for the "Ghost" ship of the upcoming DnD adventure book and thought I try if I can make a quick adaptation with the elements I have created for my ships.
And then it struck me: I could easily do simple 2D decks of my own ships! Is there interest for such a version? It would be very quick to...
2019-05-13 10:50:15 +0000 UTC View Post
In May I am giving you the cannons as this months free basic bits!
And I am starting today with the easy cannon build. They are fast to make and you can fill up your ships deck (or coastal fortress) real quick with them.
But if you want to build the advanced version, they are coming too soon. Yes, I am bombarding you with more than one piece this month! :-)
2019-05-08 09:35:31 +0000 UTC
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Here's the last info on the announced changing my Patreon from "per creation" to "monthly" charging.
I have seen some of you have not adjusted your pledge yet, so be prepared to be charged that amount at the end of this month (or next whenever the change will take with Patreon). Or adjust you pledge to the $1 tier remaining for now.
In any case I thank you for your support :-) For m...
2019-05-06 08:43:05 +0000 UTC View Post
For those of you who want to catch up on the ships, I will be releasing the Pirate Fleet Builder sets and bundles in May. KS for the big ships will come after that.
Introduction offers will include a limited number 25%off deal for the first 25 and then 20%off during May.
Be aware that the "Wooden Docks" set is included only in my Gumroad Bundles!
2019-04-29 10:52:12 +0000 UTC
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The last days and weeks have been very exciting for me. With everything going on I was able to learn so much about topics I have neglected for quite a while because I was just busy creating new sets every month. I had time to rethink and restructure how I will approach my work and how I can better make new stuff available to you guys!
The biggest change will be here on Patreon. I will
I am in the final steps of setting the KS up and then it's off to the KS team and hoping for approval.
Here is the concept sketch for the second stretch goal, the Galleon! She will be a very nice ship on any gaming table with loads of deck space for all kinds of war gaming and role playing.
Also a big welcome to all the new Patrons! Please bear in mind that my Patreon is in a sort o...
2019-04-18 06:23:31 +0000 UTC View Post
For this months basic bits I have chosen these cute buckets and tubs. They should work well to add details to any village, farm and also ships deck!
The free version comes with a MIXED layer in case you want to have a bit of variety in the wood used.
If you are new to building paper models, check out my tutorials on my site: 2019-04-15 06:55:52 +0000 UTC View Post
In preparation of the upcoming Kickstarter I am working round the clock to get the presentation ready.
Here is a sketch of the Frigate type ship that will become available as a higher reward level. Frigate is not a very accurate term to describe a ship design but I am going for this classic one where you basically have one large deck. I will probably make an optional upper deck at the ste...
2019-04-12 09:36:35 +0000 UTC View Post
As most of you will know my next step planned is to make the Pirate Fleet Builder series available to the public as a Kickstarter campaign. I have already started to setup up my account there and while working on the campaign data I consulted with my fellow crafters who already have experience there. In this process I started to understand better how Kickstarter works in detail and a few questi...
2019-04-04 07:36:20 +0000 UTC View Post
While I am waiting for the end of month processing to finish and packaging up the final steps I thought I share this little promo pic I made.
Hope you enjoy the mood as much as I do. I imagine a captains library room, cigars and a glass of whiskey :-)
Chris
Here is a sneak peek of the cut out ratlines! Starting to look good :-)
I tried to use my auto-cutter but the rope lines are too thin for it to work well. I had to manually go over so much that I decided to just manually cut the ratline parts. Surprisingly it went much faster than I thought!
I also got some transparency sheets, so I will try that approach too later.
Anyway tha...
2019-03-29 11:02:44 +0000 UTC View Post
While I am getting everything in place for the release of the second part of the Brig, I am taking pics for the new parts.
Here is the new capstan ...
... and double wheel helm. Simple and advanced version.
Here's a quick update with the capstan geometry I have been working on.
The first tries were too complicated to build but I think this approach will be quite easy. I will also make a simple (cylinder) version.
I think this will be a nice detail/obstacle on deck!
Chris
2019-03-23 10:00:02 +0000 UTC View Post
I have completed the texturing of the square sails and used the previous ones to complete the prototypes rig.
Attaching the sails is not polished yet. I am trying out different options and have not found one that I am 100% happy with. Also the jib sails (front triangles) are not attached properly. I have just "placed" them carefully without attaching them, so I can take a pic :-) They wil...
2019-03-21 10:24:41 +0000 UTC View PostHello and welcome to the new arrivals :-) I am so thankful about every new person that is interested in what I do and supports me with real money!
I do however want to point out - so there is no frustration and disappointment - that the reward for this month will be the Brig part 2 (as part 1 - the hull - was last months reward) containing masts, ratlines, sails and some deck structur...
2019-03-19 10:25:21 +0000 UTC View Post
I am trying to get the size of the new sail type right and think this could be it. For the brig I will be focusing on the bottom two sails.
Also I have to see if I will just reuse the (stern) main mast gaff sail for the foremast sail. I see so many different sailing rigs for the brigs. Some have just the square sails on both mast and the stern gaff sail. Others skip the lower square...
2019-03-18 19:05:57 +0000 UTC View Post
I think I have completed this stage now. Here's a pic of the first prototype with the new masts and ratlines. The first mast was a bit of trial and error and took some time to put together, but the second one went very smooth.
This reminds me that I should make a "special tips and tricks" document for all the ships. One thing I recommend is that you start with the small boats and wo...
2019-03-16 10:37:55 +0000 UTC View Post
It's the 15th and it seems this month you have been looking forward to the new street lamp set!
The preview pics had a huge reach on social media so go and light up your dark village alleys and sinister forest paths.
The free version comes with a MIXED color variations layer, so when you build a set they don't all look like boring clones of each other.
Also you get a ver...
2019-03-15 12:51:39 +0000 UTC View Post
The first try looked to massive once I had a chance to step back and look at it from a distance. I have decided to change the ratlines by getting rid of the outer lines and spreading the remaining a bit wider. Now it looks much more balanced.
Here is a direct comparison.
I can still us...
2019-03-13 07:37:57 +0000 UTC View Post
Here is a first "dress rehearsal" fitting of the new ratlines I am making to accommodate the gun ports.
I haven't completed the actual knots holding the lines together as it is a tedious manual placement process and I wanted to test the overall fit before I continue ... and it's look really good.
Here's a frontal view to check if there will be no problems of overlap when the cannon ...
2019-03-11 10:46:58 +0000 UTC View Post
For the brig I need another "module" for the ratlines. This time the cannons are in the way!
I looked at larger ships how they handled that. Actually it is quite common to "split" the ratlines. The above sketch shows my approach.
Right now I am figuring out the specific dimension and then I will try a white build to test if it all works out.
Also here is a preview on what the ...
2019-03-07 09:36:55 +0000 UTC View Post
How do you like this build? I went for a classic ship-of-the-line color scheme and I really love it :-)
I am in the final steps of getting the release finished. I have added the color variation layers over the weekend and will check the files one last times today.
I should be ready by tomorrow. I did some rough calculations and with the options provided you can then choose from 1500...
2019-03-04 07:10:40 +0000 UTC View Post
While I am waiting for Patreon to do it's month end thing I am getting the brig release ready and building the new hull.
This new build will feature open gun ports with cannons. Lots of cannons!
I only built 8 when I create them and now I need 14! So I have started the side project "paper model arms build-up"! :-)
The above image shows the detailed and simple cannon build. I h...
2019-03-01 09:36:29 +0000 UTC View Post
Made some pics with minis and mast parts. Also added some deck stuff ... see the double steering wheel in the back?
Here's another comparison with the Sloop. Just to see where the texturing and...
2019-02-22 13:31:33 +0000 UTC View Post
First of all, welcome to all the new patrons! Thank you very much for your support. I do hope you will enjoy your rewards :-)
And second, I have worked on the extended bow for the figurehead section. This is an easy build. For an advanced build I would cut out the wood in the upper part for example. But this way the build is very fast and easy.
2019-02-21 11:51:23 +0000 UTC
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Here a view of a rough easy build of the stairs and railings. The upper deck railing is too wide in this shot, because I am making options for the stairs to be 1" wide for mini bases and also a more narrow but realistic version if you are going for good looks :-) Here the upper railing is for the narrow version and the stairs are the 1" ones.
For an advanced build I would cut out all the ...
2019-02-19 08:37:02 +0000 UTC View Post
I was able to complete the base deck textures and create the wall separating to the interior section!
I also created a texture for those who want to do some interior too. I added "light" falling in through the windows. I didn't have the front wall finshed then, so I will add some "light" also indicating where the door and round window is on the front wall.
2019-02-17 07:27:40 +0000 UTC
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It's the middle of the month again and this means a new "Basic Bit" set!
Today I am giving you this barrel. It comes in a couple of color variations, so when you build a set they don't all look like boring clones of each other.
If you are new to building paper models, check out my tutorials on my site: 2019-02-15 10:21:04 +0000 UTC View Post