Friday, 11 November 2022

Where do you find inspiration?


When I write magazine articles detailing how I build and paint wargame terrain or structures, I try to include a paragraph or two on the inspiration for the piece or model, for example; an illustrated children's book, a structure from a film or TV series or an illustration I have found in a magazine or on the internet. Hopefully this preamble helps to 'set' the model in context, but I wonder as inspiration can be such a difficult thing to control - Where do you find your inspiration?

I enjoy working on themes - such as the series in Wargames, Soldiers & Strategy where I have produced linear structures or when I am asked to produce something that is outside my comfort zone, as seen in the recent Miniature Wargames model with a Biblical theme.

In 2022, I regularly produce models and articles for all three of the main Wargame themed, magazines but do occasionally find it difficult to find new models to produce and feel that I need to remain relevant and not repeat subject matter. To this end, do you have any suggestions or sources that may help me?

Any suggestions will be much appreciated and who knows, it could inspire me to produce a model or models based on your suggestion.

Thanks you

Tony

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5 comments:

  1. Codsticker11 November 2022 at 10:12

    Your comment about the biblical structure being outside your comfort zone may be a good lead on where to look next for inspiration. Although most of our war gaming settings are Europe or derived from Europe it makes sense that would be where your primary focus would be. However there are lots of other periods/conflicts that might inspire, such as the biblical era.

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  2. tradgardmastare11 November 2022 at 23:34

    I love arts and crafts buildings and enjoy wandering around cities like Londontaking photos. The same can be said for Art Deco buildings. Both styles are unique , recognisable to many and are bold statements in their own way. One rarely sees such buildings on the Wargames table. A simple Art Deco flat roofed house would look terrific in a Very British Civil war game or a Seelowe invasion game.
    Alan Tradgardland

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  3. commissarmoody13 November 2022 at 20:33

    I am a big what if and alternet history fan. So maybe picking one of those big alternat history book or video game series might be a decent jumping off point. If you haven't already go that route.
    Like Herry Turtledoves Southern Victory series. Now I know most folks' ether love or hate his work. But I like the background none the less. Goes all the way for the south winning the ACW, up to a few more conflicts with the Union, up to World war and World War 2.
    some videos for a quick overview.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqYBXrW_5gA

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlt9RwDO1ws

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BhBQWPCfkU

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMGLIcznmGw

    Or the Hearts of Iron Mod alternat history called 'Kaiserreich: Legacy of the Weltkrieg".
    Pretty much a few things change to keep the US out of the Great War, and German is able to hold out just a bit longer than the French and UK forces allowing them to win.
    And history got nuts from there.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxM5FfdHVD8

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  4. Tony14 November 2022 at 10:07

    Thanks for the suggestions - the alternative history thread could work.

    Tony

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  5. (Kym) + Warburton + (Classic40K) 22 November 2022 at 03:29

    For me personally it's themes in general, reading other people's blogs and seeing photos on social media, and movies.

    Another idea could be finding an interesting material or common household item and turning that into a terrain piece, like they used to do in White Dwarf sometimes.

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