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Yo! So, I've been brushing up on my medieval (specifically French) history in preparation to head off the last of my Black Templars (along with lamenting how my Skitarii don't have banners at all, something I very much plan to change), and have particularly, beyond my usual love of banners in 40k, become a fan of the idea of emulating the French Oriflamme. However, I've yet to find a banner shape on an actual model that I find satisfying, and thus must resort to using mine own hands.

I think I'm just about getting there, vis-a-vis greenstuffing ability, and so was looking for a bit of guidance. I'm currently thinking of using plasticard as a kind of skeleton for the broader parts, styrene rods for the poles, and then for edges/other bendy bits, a sheet of the good ol' green, semi-cured, to bring it all together?

What do you think??? I'd love to hear from anyone with a bit more experience!

(also, as to why not just use paper - I feel like a thicker banner is more satisfying to the eye (don't ask me why, I don't know), and I wanna git gud at freehanding!)

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Never properly worked with brass before, so prepare for some noob questions - how would I cut it, and ensure that it 1. wasn't sharp as all hell on the edges, and 2. wouldn't flex too much once I'd got everything painted? 3. Where do I even get brass sheet? Never seen it around hobby shops

For background, because this has been raised, I'm only using classic marines

Big Mac wrote:when I was doing my Brets way way back, I had just use plain printing paper; cut out a double sided shape and band it around the banner pole to test fit, paint it while flat and add decals varnishes etc., then use white glue to glue around the pole, let dry then use the round brush handle to fold a bit to make it wavy, touch upon the paint if necessary.

White glue? Is that PVA? How fragile is it afterwards? And how thick can you make the paper? I kinda wanna match the usual size of warhammer plastic/resin banners.

Stephanius wrote:Fine cotton cloth in combination with PVA glue is an option I used before. Obviously it needs to be supported while the PVA glue is drying, but the cloth can be arranged easily while the glue is wet.

My Vallejoy Airbrush primer sticks well to the PVA surface, both when applied via Airbrush or brush.

Oooh, very interesting - out of curiosity, is there any technique to painting the cloth, or should I just go about it like plastic? I get the feeling it would be more absorbant, however, will this be offset by priming? Do I have to put more primer into cloth to get the right finish?

Hankovitch wrote:For Flames of War Red Army banners I just used tiny pieces of masking tape, folded over on itself sticky-side to sticky-side. Having also used greenstuff to make an ork banner, I'd be very tempted to use tape for future 40k sized banners also. The masking tape can hold shape well enough to create folds or billows, and primer/varnish stiffens it up even more.

Masking tape isn't one I've heard of before - any photos?

Thanks very much everyone, I hadn't thought of most of these techniques!