In the world of “Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom” one character, Addison, caught my attention. His dedication to installing signposts inspired me to embark on a unique woodworking project – creating a replica of the Hudson Construction signpost from the game. In this blog post, I’ll take you through the journey of turning pieces of wood into a piece of Hyrule’s history.
Materials and Preparation
It began with two pieces of 1×6 pine wood, each one meter in length. To achieve the desired width, I carefully hand-planed and jointed these pieces, bonding them together to form a solid 1×12 piece. Then, the meticulous process of sanding commenced, starting from 80-grit sandpaper and progressing to a smooth 150-grit finish.
Adding Character with Stain
To capture the essence of the Hudson Construction signpost, I applied wood sealer and a mahogany wood tint. This step brought warmth and character to the wood, setting the stage for the intricate design work to come.
Designing the Signpost
In “Tears of the Kingdom,” Addison’s signpost is adorned with a unique design. To replicate this, I ventured into the game and took a screenshot of the sign’s artwork. With this image in hand, I fired up Photoshop and carefully traced the outline of the design, ensuring every detail was captured accurately.
To transfer the design onto my wooden canvas, I used a projector to project the outline. With pencil in hand, I meticulously traced the design onto the wood, step by step, bringing the sign to life on my desk.
With the design sketched, I embarked on the hand-painting journey. Each stroke of color was carefully applied, and every detail lovingly recreated. The process required patience and precision, but the satisfaction of watching the sign’s design emerge was immensely rewarding.
Protection and Assembly
To protect my creation and ensure its longevity, I applied several coats of varnish. With the design sealed and the wood well-prepared, it was time to bring everything together. I attached the sign to a 3×3 post and added two 50cm legs with 45-degree cuts at the ends. The final touch was securing it all in place with wood screws.
A Day in Hyrule
The completion of the Hudson Construction signpost wasn’t the end of the adventure. I decided to bring a piece of Hyrule to my town’s comic convention. Dressed as Addison, I took the signpost along. The response was incredible! People enthusiastically helped me “install” the sign, and we had a blast interacting with one another. In the spirit of Zelda, I even rewarded helpers with rupees, adding an extra layer of immersion to the experience.
For me, crafting the Hudson Construction signpost from Zelda was a labor of love and I think it can be seen as a testament of the inspiration one can draw from gaming. Addison would surely be proud of the signpost. And, the memories it created at the comic convention will be as memorable as any adventure in Hyrule.
Wow! This blog looks exactly like my old one!
It’s on a completely different topic but it has pretty much the same layout and design. Outstanding choice of colors!