The collection had flags for both units of cavalry and infantry which depicted the usual fantasy themes. That will change and this time around the number of flags will increase with each general officer having his own banner.
The next step and the most problematic is the design for the new flags. I did not want a Warhammer-ish style of flaming skulls, chaos symbols and likewise I want to avoid any similarity with Western European flags of the 18th century with their dominant use of eagles, crosses or geometric shapes. What did have an appeal were the French cavalry standards of the Seven Years War. The obverse depicted a standard emblem and the reverse side, an allegory of some historical or mythological event. If flags were of the same colour, then the reverse side would serve to identify one regiment from another. In either case, a seed was planted.
French Chevau-légers d'Aquitaine (scroll down to view flag)
French Gendarmes d'Aquitaine
Creating suitable designs for the 18th c. Melniboné was helped by writing notes to develop as a brief history of the archipelago and the evolution of Melniboné. Further ideas began to percolate while reading about Moorcock’s multiverse theme which helped to move the imagination along a plausible path.
Sketches and possible colour schemes are developing as infantry and cavalry flags will be similar with minor distinctions to separate guard form line units.
Cheers,
2 opmerkingen:
Really interesting to read of your design process. I can very much see how these syw flags played a part in this. Very much looking forward to seeing what you create.
Thank you for your comments. The “process” began several weeks ago while reviewing Warhammer books and Google searches, well aware that little information could be collected for Melniboné.
One reviewer of the Moorcock stories mentioned the ‘multiverse” and the existence of an Eternal Champion in each. And so was the creation for Melniboné of other times and other places given a foundation.
While designing and painting the flags, each will evoke a brief history that will find its way to the blog, such as a footnote in a battle report. In July, I will also be exercising my cartography talents and add maps of the archipelago.
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