My final arms without the supporters and standard, which I have in another achievement I’ve drawn up as well.

So, here ya go:

http://img236.imageshack.us/img236/7488/donnchadharms4lb.jpg

edited by member for length

It’s amazing what a difference simplifying the tinctures makes!  I thought the previous black, yellow, white, and green version was OK, but this is much better—very nice.

And, if you don’t mind my saying so, an object lesson for others in the good things that can come of not rushing to a final decision!

I have to agree.  I believe this latest version is by far the most pleasing design you have had thus far!  It’s so easy to begin adding splashes of color to your arms.  I know this from personal experience on my "old" arms I registered with the ACH.  (My AHS arms are a much simpler design, using just three colors.)  Each of your charges has a distinct purpose & meaning.  You’ve done a really fine job!

Thank you both very much. I too think that this is an attractive and combination and works much better.

I’m working on two versions of the arms. Well not versions, but I am learning to use gouache and when I’ve got that down I’m making a painted set to go over a plaque covered with either the Ulster tartan, as you see in my avatar, or on the Oriel tartan.

In the meantime I am making one in a "cartooning" style, or as I like to say, "comic book" style, as that is an art medium I am much, much more familiar with. You can see this sort of style in much of de Bruin’s (sp?) work – I love his site for its variety, but especially for its cartooning element; very, very attractive…for a cartoonist like me anyway.

Thanks again fellas.

Donnchadh,

I will add my voice to the chorus and congratulate you for your final choice: azure and argent are really great alltogether, and by dropping the green of the shamrocks, you made an original choice.

Nicolas

PS : as far as crest are concerned, in France you can change at each generation if you want.

Thanks Nicolas.

I agree with the idea of a crest changing over time, as well as inherited if that is what people want. In reading the history of the crest I learned it was used during jousting tournaments and it was not uncommon to change from time to time - at least according to what I’ve read on the subject on line and in Fox-Davies, Neubecker, Lynch-Robinson, etc.

It was only later that it came to be hereditary. Even Neubecker, if I recall correctly, commented on how monarchs, or sovereigns, would change them as well.

So, to my way of thinking a crest does not have to be an inheritable part of the achievement. For me, and everyone can correct me or disagree with me if they like, the only inheritable part of a heraldic achievement that is an absolute must per se is the shield itself. The rest is all in play.

But, thanks for the kind comments Nicolas.