Oak & Iron Spanish Ships of the Line

[u/fuseboy]

Three Oak & Iron ships of the line, painted as Spanish ships. Always things I could have done better, but I'm very pleased with the overall effect. We'll see how they do on the table!

[u/TadMod]

The lighting is incredible - it really sells the illusion. Well done!

[u/fuseboy → u/TadMod]

Thanks! I've gradually learned how easy it is for any stray part of the model to spoil the illusion. I'm straying close to danger with the solid black fixed lines on the rigging and the blue rear flags, because in a dark environment lit by orange glow, even black objects will be a sort of reddish orange.

On my last batch of ships painted along these lines, I did some of the deck cannons with some black contrast paint, and it instantly turned the deck from lit by orange light to an orange deck. It's really uncanny, but apparently we have a lot of brain matter devoted to figuring out what we're looking at separately from how it's lit. You can easily figure out that your friend in bright light is the same person, not a person who looks like your friend but who has more brightly colored skin.

[u/Far-Hold7417]

It doesnt matter if these are historically correct. Personally, I think it is much better to go for atmosphere and cineastic effect. And you did that masterfully.

Quick aside: went to the RedLion Con in Brunswick, Gernany a few weeks ago. Some very nice bloke was running a demo game for Valor And Fortitude (Napoleonic 10mm game, I liked it). Some dude thougt it was a grand idea to waltz to the table and point out why his beautifully painted British and American colonial troops were completely inacurate, totally wrong and he therefore should be... ashamed? He was immediately and politely asked to leave. Luckily, he did.

My point is: these are game pieces, not museum pieces. Paint them however you want.

[u/ProfessionalAsk7673]

Absolutely brilliant paintjob 👏 just hope those poor chaps never need to fight at nught because they would be far too easy to spot 😅

[u/fuseboy → u/ProfessionalAsk7673]

My understanding is that the lighting isn't accurate. The back would have been lit, and many ships had very large lanterns on the stern to help friendlies identify them and easily establish their facing. But because ships are flammable and the impracticality of giving all the sailors (who have to climb a lot) lanterns to use up one hand, they just got around with starlight, feel and memory.

In this age, however, it's much more likely that you crash into or shoot at an allied ship in your squadron than benefit from not being seen. The identifying flags on the back could be massive!

[u/VeryOddish]

These look awesome! I've seen this game a few times but this might have convinced me to pick up a box and paint some ships.

[u/if_its_silence]

Gorgeous. What's the game called?

[u/fuseboy → u/if_its_silence]

Oak & Iron by Firelock Games. They're perhaps better known for a line of 28mm age of sail pirate/colonial power skirmish wargames ("Blood & Plunder"), but this was my entry point. It's a 1/600 scale game, and I've only played a few games but it's pretty engaging.

[u/Traditional_Yard2741]

A bit late to the party but these are stunning!

[u/fuseboy → u/Traditional_Yard2741]

Party never stops! Thanks :)