SawdustDave

They actually looked ok early this morning.... Then after taking time to give my old friends a little lesson in the finer points of "putting the golf ball".... Came back in the shipyard, took a close look at those little figures and decided to give it one more shot. Four hours later, I might be getting a little closer.

Using the black vinyl cover of an old notebook, I cut out a nice shape.... using it as a template to cut out five more (three facing left and three facing right).

Seen here after gilding them, I will now glue them to a piece of poster stock to give them a little more thickness.

I like it "more better"....

Just shaking my head over how clean your work is Augie. Makes me want to build her again. So many words come to mind as I go back through your log. I guess the word "perfection" pretty much says it best.

Dave

These galloping horse figures are less than 3/8th".... they might be too small to create good molds.  We shall see.

Trying to get a tiny "Lion's Mask".... (8mm high)

The vinyl Blind Lattes seems to be the best carving material for the really tiny figures. 

While shopping for a Mother's Day card for the Admiral, I discovered a new rich resource for all sorts of fancy scroll art.... 

Expect to find some of these patterns on the SOS ....

A couple of minor developments....

Two new carvings - (Crown and Fleur 'de Lis).... will create moldings from these masters as the plans call for quite a few of these figures throughout the ornamentation.

Then there are these two little lanterns I just finished that will sit atop the two side roofs of the portico.

Once again, using stiffened nylon string to create some of the fine detail.

The mesh came from my boneyard.... not remembering what it was originally used for.

You have a strong loving family and solid caring friends right here in this room. All will turn out good in the end my friend.

Dave

Welcome aboard Pete. Pull up a chair and join the fun any time.

Appreciate the comments and "likes" from all.

I hate to admit, the little tiles for the three arched roofs on top of the portico modules are trying to kick Dave's butt big time.......after four hours, trying several different techniques, and not liking the results of any of them so far. 

Not to worry mates.  I am mostly just talking to myself here.  Old people do that sometimes. 

All port side panels finally complete....

The inner windows to the stern quarters have been cut out and fitted. The wire mesh was created with black window screen glued over a manila envelope. The window arches are created from gilded nylon twine, stiffened with white wood glue before painting.

I didn't get too fussy about getting the shapes "perfect" because they will hardly be seen once the portico unit is fitted.

Been really looking forward to beginning the extremely complex ornamentation of the portico module. I'll be using photo's from Doris's incredible build log as my reference.

I always have very mixed emotions on this very special occasion Marsalv.... Usually resulting in starting a new build almost immediately.

Congratulations on a truly spectacular work of art. We shall miss your inspiring updates on the Royal Caroline but look forward to your next project soon.

Dave

Thanks again David.

Here's those cute little dolphins now ready for mold casting. They went pretty quickly since there's not much more than getting the shape right. Wish they were all this easy.

Thanks as always mates. 

Remembering to spray the mold with "Release" before pouring the resin is perhaps the toughest part of the task.   

Here are the little dolphin figures I'm working on now.  I'll need about a dozen of these left side / right side figures....

Still experimenting with molds and fine detail of the carvings....

Finding that I'm able to improve the finer detail with the plastic casting after building up 3 or 4 coats of epoxy spray and then pressing on the surface just before it completely hardens. 

Next figures....

The "Man Horse" ready for molding....

Nice clean work Frank. Really good to see you back in action. She's going to be a beauty for sure.

Next step should be a real challenge.... The stern galleries and portico's is a major undertaking.

Dry fitting the module.... Much of this very complex unit will be completed off ship.... 

Finished with the portside gun port panel figures.... 

The Scorpion....

The Scales and Scorpion installed....

The port side figures....

Crab and Scale ready to go....

The scale turned out to be the least difficult figure yet attempted.

Scorpion next.... And that will complete the panels between the gun ports.

Your PM box must be full Nenad..... Do you know how to clean it out?

Very early start this morning after turning in before 9:30 last night.

If it seems like I'm working hard right now, the annual boat show in Beaufort, NC is this weekend, and I am trying to get to a reasonable point of showing the SOS as an "in progress" entry.

So I managed to get the crab ready for gilding....

A few secrets to the finishing details....

My home made detail etching tools are created from sharply honed needles mounted in round pencil grips....

Getting really fine finish is mostly fine sanding and steel wool after wiping the figure with soap oil....

Roughed out the crab figure this evening. This one is very simple and should go pretty quickly, but getting late and the old eyes need some rest.

Had to ask the Admiral where she gets those toothpicks she's been buying for years. She tells me they are in the "dental supplies" section of many drug stores and some grocery stores. Must admit, I have never looked for them before, but I will now.

The fish carving.... ready for gilding....

Two more panels completed.... Note the use of the plastic tooth picks with the tiny bristles on one end.  

This is one of those experiments that turned out pretty neat....

Best wishes to you my friend through your "nervous time" waiting for the results of your tests.

Dave

Trying to figure out what I'm going to do with all the Heiniken I purchased for your visit. I know.... I can drink it tonight at the poker table.

Yahoooo!

Nice job old guy!

You are just too Kool for school.