need some advice

[aryanhwy]

I'm really, really bad at extrapolating. So I need some advice.

My original is BL MS Egerton 2432 f. 34v:

Comments

[scooterheather]

I'd put my vote in for outlining everything mentioned in very fine black. Diapering/whitework in white will look great.

So if the red background will be diapered white, and the arms are black and yellow...what element is going to diapered per your first question?

I can't get your image big enough for my old eyes, so forgive me if I'm missing an obvious answer.

Cheers!

[aryanhwy]

The first question was about the coat of arms -- the device that I cut out of there to keep the surprise hidden is black and yellow, and I'm wondering what the best color is to diaper that.

[scooterheather]

Black and yellow then, you bet. I hope you'll post the finished product as well? :o)

I second the idea below of using brown (or a darkened shade of the base color) for outlining. That will give the definition sought, and tend toward the original more than a cartoony black outline.

[draconisregena]

You really can't miss outlining in black. If you want it to really pop you could always outline it in black and do a very thin line of color just inside the outline.

[aryanhwy]

Yeah, I'm big proponent of outlining in black. However, given that the original has so little outlining in black, I'm wondering if that is the best choice in this particular example.

[bend_gules]

I'd be inclined to do 'the fridge test':

Make up a very quick and dirty test piece, w/ 2 options, one on either side of the escutcheon - you could even do it in heraldic markers.

Cut it out, hang in front of the initial and border you've already done.

Then put it on the fridge and stare at the options for a bit, covering one then the other.

Ambitious piece!

[pogbody]

- Black and yellow pops more...

- Always outline! black would be my first choice.

- I would outline the Blue in black. The inner detail is less about outlining and more about trying to achieve a 3D effect.

- You have changed the bottom edge from the original which was meant to be a frame. I would outline it in black as a default.

- Try going for a dark brown? just a suggestion really

:)

[aryanhwy]

Always outline!

Normally my first instinct too! But there's so little outlining on the exemplar I'm extrapolating from, hence my hesitation.

[aryanhwy]

Thanks everyone for the advice! I've gone with outlining in brown, and am quite happy with it. Still haven't decided on what to diaper the shield with, but am thinking black on yellow and yellow on black. I'll post the completed scroll in a few weeks after it's been given out.