"Zanzibari / Cairo civilians question" Topic
8 Posts
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| Blasted Brains | 18 Jul 2021 8:03 a.m. PST |
Actually, for a fictional later 19th century campaign set in east Africa but I want the figures available for Cairo or Zanzibar civilians. Already have the figures, 8 groups of 12 – almost all unarmed, 5 groups men, 3 groups women (veiled mostly), with a smattering of youth in that mix. All in 15 mm. My dilemma? How do I paint their skin tones? Here are my choices: a. All in Arabic skin tones b. All in African skin tones c. All in a mix of both for all 8 groups d. half the groups as Arabic and half as African e. some other option that fits within historical realities How say you all as far as what gives the best long term gaming options? Note: I have plenty of unarmed civilians to paint for the Europeans, men and women. Thanks for your input. |
Frederick  | 18 Jul 2021 9:25 a.m. PST |
Half as Arabic and half as African would work, but you could opt for a mid-range skin tone to cover both |
| Prince Rupert of the Rhine | 18 Jul 2021 10:45 a.m. PST |
Only a small number of Zanzibar's civilians where Omani Arab most where Swahili Africans.the Omani Arabs do seem to have been rather fecund though producing a lot of mixed race children. So I think a good mix of skin tones favouring African would be the best bet. |
| FABET01 | 18 Jul 2021 3:36 p.m. PST |
You can drive yourself nuts trying to paint skin tones and justifying them to yourself. Pick a tone that tells their story as it will appear on the tabletop, and is easy to paint.
If a dark-ruddy skin tone say Zanzibar to you, do that. Start with the darkest skin tones you think are appropriate. If you get bored or feel adventurous, lighten the highlights more. You'll soon have all the variety you want. |
 Grelber | 18 Jul 2021 4:25 p.m. PST |
C. A mix of both African and Arabic, with some in between to represent mixed race. Grelber |
| Prince Rupert of the Rhine | 18 Jul 2021 9:16 p.m. PST |
Just to give some idea of how African many Arabs in East Africa where.
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| Rich Bliss | 19 Jul 2021 7:40 a.m. PST |
Those are both fairly cosmopolitan cities. A mix of casucasian , Arab, and subsaharan African |
| SgtGuinness | 30 Jul 2021 12:41 p.m. PST |
+1 to FABET01, well said, agreed. It's how it feels and looks to you based on your impressions with some reality mixed in. Plus in 15 mm it's not as critical. Some Mideast, some dark African, some light African, etc. |
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