When does a carving become modeling?

[Whittled Thumb]

This weekend I built a little ship for a little viking. Having done this and looking at reference photos, I have decided to try and build a viking replica ship. To an extent it will be carved, some might be built. When does my ship become not so much a carving but a model? I feel like if I get off tangent I will not be carving anymore But i really want to carve a scaled model of a viking ship.

Is there any good ship builders here on the forums? Can you get me started, or give advice?

[squbrigg]

You ask a good question, and I don't know if there is just a simple answer. Ship modelling is also refered to as carving, cause all the parts and fittings must be carved. While some models are totally assembled ftom carved pieces, others are carved from fewer pieces, so where to you draw the line between carved and assembled. Basically, if you carve the pieces from scratch, to scale, it is still considered a carving. If you assemble the model from a kit, it is not.

Still .... there is no right and wrong in carving, if you carve for pleasure and not competition. There are many ways to achieve the same end, a ship model carved from wood to reflect the original vessel.

For example, your Viking ship you wish to make. You can carve the hull from a solid piece of wood, or, you can assemble the hull like the original, carving all the pieces before assembling them. Both methods will produce a wonderful rendition of a Long Ship, and each is a work of art in it's own right, just different.

To begin you will need a scaled drawing (or draught) of a long ship, and you will need to deceide how big you want the model to be. You will have to deceide if the model is to be a pedestal or a waterline model, (full hull or just from the waterline up) and finally how you want to make it. (carve the hull or build it up)

There is lots of information online about Viking long ships and there have been many replicas made around the world, so information on them should be readily available.

Feel free to ask any questions that you might have, and I hope that I can help you along the path. Good luck and have fun.

Bob

[LBlake]

In my mind, building model ships typically includes some carving. I never thought the fact that it was a ship diminished the value of the carving. I love ships - they're kind of like bowed stringed instruments to me - a combination of science and art.

Shaping a block of wood with a knife or other cutting tool, to represent something else from a visual (or imaginary) reference seems like it's carving to me. Perhaps how much you do that translation from reference to block of wood on your own (vs. using someone else's plans) that may define how original the carving is, or how much it's "art." I don't know...

Those are my thoughts at this moment. I'll probably have different thoughts tomorrow.

What I really think, though, is that any art form can have the same sort of dilemma. Any time I've considered that kind of dilemma, what helped me resolve it was understanding why the distinction was important.

Gee - maybe I shouldn't wax philosophical after midnight.... Good night, folks!