Camouflage

Dispelling myths

There are a few myths about camouflage that keep being repeated that just aren't true. I’ll go over two of them. But it’s important to keep in mind the location of your A.O. (area of operation) I’ll be going over some things you may not have heard of, but at the end of this blog, it will all make sense. I will be going over positive space, negative space, color, shape, shadow, movement, and concealment.

The first myth is “there are no straight lines in nature.”

This is just not true. Trees are straight lines like trees as well as branches. This is extremely important to understand if you are going to be using the negative space. Think about a down tree. That’s a straight hard line is it not? What about bamboo, rock edges, woods, forests, and one animal that covers both myths; the zebra - hard straight lines that are black.

Next is “there is no black in nature.”

Again, not true. Let’s take a photo of our downed tree. I’m willing to bet the big shadow underneath the tree is black, as is almost every other shadow. Don’t get me wrong; a black

AR 15 still won’t hide very well because it is black and has hard lines. But one can use blacks and hard lines to hide in the negative space. You just need to learn how. Other examples of black in nature; birds (crow) ,cats (panthers), bears, scorpions, zebra, coal, shadows, and even flowers. Ok, I think you get the point.

Positive space

Positive space is everything that jumps out and catches your eyes. It’s the hard lines and color. The big tree, a large rock, bushes, patch of flowers, the green leaves, or a mound of dirt and wood. If you are looking for something the human eye will naturally go to, these objects that stick out. They are well defined by shape or color. They are what is there to look at. Even if you look between two large positive spaced items, your eye will naturally focus on the smaller positive space items like flowers or patches of dirt.

Negative space

Negative space is hard to describe because it’s everything else that’s not positive space. It’s everything that we can see but don’t see because it’s not well defined. There’s no hard edges or definite color. It’s the in between. It is right in front of our face, but we still just can’t seem to see it. This is where I believe that camouflage is at its best, and where you completely disappear. When done correctly, this is how a Ghillie suit or leaf suit works so effectively. You become the background instead of just hiding in it or just looking like a bush. Positive and negative space can change depending on the perspective of the observer. Something that is in the positive space can become negative space if the observer is moving, or even if the light changes. An example of this would be a break in the clouds that allows a sun beam to shine directly on a tree stump or bush. That tree stump or bush is now highlighted by the light giving the observer a focal point that the eye will be drawn to.

Color

Color is probably the most important aspect of camouflage. I say this because when I study nature or stalk an animal, the animal isn’t wearing the cool new mossy oak pattern. They're typically only a few colors: Brown, gray, white and black. Let's take a deer for example, most deer are brown with some white. Yet you almost never see them unless they move. They can be less than 50 yards away and you completely lose them. Their color allows them to blend in with the negative space even though they have a hard outline. But once they are out of their element, they stick out.

Do you every remember a time when some says “Oh look, it’s a deer.” And they point it out to you, but you can’t see it. “Where?” “Right there, next to the tree.” “Where, I can’t see it.’’ “Look where I’m pointing; right next to the big tree, on the left. Do you see it?”

This works the same way with rabbits and squirrels; just about the only time you can find them is when they move. Even though they're right in front of you. Squirrels will be more brownish-gray and white underneath (at least where I live). They blend in with the bark on the trees and the skyline. If you're a predator (like a bird) looking down, they are the same color as the bark when leaves cast a shadow on it. If you look upward (cats or snakes), their lighter under belly blends in with the sky.

Shape and Shadow

From the above, you can get a good idea of just how effective having the correct color can be. When it comes to camouflage, one thing that sticks out like nothing else (even with the right color) is the human shape. We look at other humans everyday and it’s probably the most recognizable shape to see. If we want hide effectively, we have to break up our outline or shape. This is easily done by using a hat, veil or scarf, and natural vegetation. If you are making a leaf or ghilie suit, you will want to leave space between the vegetation. This is where your blacks and straight lines can go if they are prominent in your A.O. The black acts as shadows to further break up the outline underneath. This gives you a 3D effect and allows you to utilize the negative space. The blacks should only be used in very small amounts, and in the shapes of the shadows in your A.O. You may want to use lighter colors like tans and grays if the forestry is less dense, or if you may be standing or high crawling. The grays and tans will blend in with the natural background.

Movement and concealment

You can have the best camouflage on, but as soon as you move, two things can happen. Your moment can easily be seen, or you can be heard. When you move, it should be slow and with a purpose. The best way to move without being seen is moving with the wind and only as fast as the wind moves. The other option is moving behind concealment, such as a row of trees or brush. Concealment is sometimes the only place to be unseen if you have less than adequate camouflage.

You can help minimize the sound you make by walking softly. Slowly shift your weight from one foot to the other and roll your footsteps. Place your foot down lightly and on the back outside blade. Roll your foot forward and in until it’s flat. Then, shit your weight and repeat. You can also minimize the sound by walking on rocks, soft grass or patches.

Camouflage

To build the best and most effective camouflage, the negative space needs to be used. The use of the negative space is so effective that it can be used alone. You can literally be only feet away and been unseen when used correctly. I start with a base layer of brown and tan. Brown pants, tan shirt or maybe green shirt just to help split up some color. These colors don’t stand out in a crowd, yell tactical or this guy caries a gun. (I can almost always find the

tactical/operator guys.) But, they also work very well if you need to get into the woods and blend in, or just everyday outside activities. If something arises that you need to camouflage yourself, you have a good base layer to work with. Next, is to make your base layer be negative space or dead space. You can use mud and dirt to make abstract patterns on your clothes, face, arms or any exposed skin like blotches and smeared lines. This helps to overall break up your silhouette and match the colors in the background. At this point, you should be in full natural camouflage and can blend in with the surroundings. If you need to take it further, you can use natural vegetation by adding small branches with leaves or vines. Make small holes and poke the stem of the branch through the holes, into your belt loops and pockets. Another option is while the mud is still wet, smear some leaves in.

All in all, look around at your environment. Look at the colors, shapes, shadows and spaces. Do your best to match them and not just blend in, but become the background. If you can achieve this, you will be a master of camouflage. You will be able to disappear in any environment.

The Overwatch