chesstop

[abediah]

i have an idea on building a chessboard, and i want to use cards as the checkerboard top, it looks a bit busy though to me- anyone got any ideas?
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[Mad Giraffe]

Waaaaay too busy, and maybe too little contrast between the squares too.

How about trying to use the four symbol types of cardsets, 2 dark and 2 light. And then let them transform from one side to an other in an Escher-like manner into the other symbol of the same colour?

[inspector Lee]

I agree with Mad Giraffe, not nearly enough contrast. Look at the small thumbnail version in this thread. It doesn't read as checkerboard at all. The values are all about the same and therefore blend together.

[abediah]

i can change the contrast on the computer, but i plan on actually cutting up some cards and making it a nice little chessboard with peices and the whole lot. any ideas on how i might do it on real cards? i am thinking maybe a light coat of some kind of watered down paint... and as far as the back side of the card maybe the same thing with some black or dark blue.
-mad giraffe, the four card symbols sounds like a good idea, but i don't think i understand how i would make a chessboard with an escher feel, although it does sound interesting...

[Ilaekae]

What you wanna do is maybe add some transparent color over the backs so the contrast is increased, like this rough...

[nakirush]

Yes, what Ilaekae said. It really does help define the squares alot more. I would recommend using some lighting gels or possibly a translucent paint/glaze.

[Qitsune]

Acrylic glaze would work fine, especially if you use acrylic varnish to protect the whole thing afterwards.

[abediah]

that was another thing i was unsure of, i was even considering some type of laminate. thanks though. sounds good.