What takes you so long?

[squbrigg]

I get a question asked very often....."What takes you so long?". (That is, from folks looking at a model...not my wife trying to get a chore done! )

I spent the week-end working on this , so I thought I would offer it for your amusement. The whole thing is called a belfry, and it goes on the foredeck/forecastle of the model I'm working on. The pillars are turned from Black Walnut, the roof is shaped of the same material and the bell is turned from Ebony. As you can see by the dime next to it, it is rather..... small.

Second pic is the whole thing installed.

Bob

[Bandaid]

Incredible work Squbrigg!

[Mike-in-WV]

Hey Bob! What takes you so long? It's just a little old boat, Lol. Monkey

I wouldn't even care to guess how much time you have in the ship so far but you can bet that every second is worth it. Absolutely beautiful detail and craftsmanship. Mike

[GaryMc]

Great work Bob, but must be hard on the eyes! Keep it up!
GaryMc

[S-Shamrock]

wow thats amazing detail and size. That would drive me nuts doing stuff that small. great work!!!

[Nancy-G]

And it's worth every second.
Enough satisfaction to last a lifetime.

Bob - where on earth did you learn enough about ships to be able to do stuff like that? I can make up Santas and nobody can complain. YOU have to know what you're doing. Is there really enough reference material about each part of each ship? Good grief.

[Chahlie]

Hi All,

Damn Bob....I am sitting here in stunned amazement. That kind of detail in such a small framework...and as Nancy_G stated we Santa carvers and those that carve subjects that have no actual image for comparison can get away with artistic liscence, but there is so much historical reference material for your chosen carvings that detail and paying attention to what we might consider overkill, these are the things that make your carvings so incredible. Great work sir!!!!

Chahlie

[Callynne]

Wow Bob! That's unbelievable!! I totally agree with Nancy and Chahlie, we have a great deal of leeway in our carvings. Even me, who says I want to do 'realistic' carvings, I still can take 'artistic' liberties with what I'm doing, what you are doing is 'to scale perfect'! You are so very talented!! Callynne

[squbrigg]

Thank you folks for your kind words of encouragement. There are quite a few good books and other information available on ships....I've been studying and reading about them for my whole life, got my biggest boost when I was in the navy (nothing like being at sea for real to get a sense for the models). Most local libraries wouldn't have much but once you know what to ask for they can usually find them for you. Some museums have collections of original draughts (plans) and you can usually obtain copies, for a price. I began whittling simple sailing ships as a kid and it took off from there, just read a lot and taught myself. Only ever built one kit, and wasn't impressed with the results....most may resemble the vessel, but are full of inaccuracies. Carving and modelling go hand in hand, are one in the same I suppose, you do so much carving in a model. But, to make an accurate model and make it look good, you have to be a stickler for accuracy, everything has to be in scale....or it just looks wrong. Like having a sparrows sized wings on a crow! Just wouldn't look right. Smile I've built up a good library of books and draughts over the years, and they are just as valuable as the tools that I build/carve with and in many ways, more important.I am 4 years into my model of the Shannon, and am planning my next project. Lately recieved a copy of the "original" draughts from the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich , England, for a ship that was built in 1757 (actually, it's of a French frigate). I do some other stuff during one of these big projects, but they do take time.

Sorry if I tend to go on....I do love my ships!

Bob

[Kenny_S]

Outsanding Bob! Love the detail. Not much in to ships but love to see one, somebody has put together. Have a friend who does the ship building and am amazed at his. Your sir needs to be displayed so "John Q Public" can view them. Pictures doesn't do your ships justice.