Battle Scars

[tradewinds]

I am new to ship modeling and would like, one day, to build a ship that appears to been through a battle or two; holes in the sails, hull damage, etc. I also envision creating a small diorama, incorporating a cut-a-way view of the deck, depicting a crew in the midst of a battle.

 

I did a search looking for examples, but may not have used the correct keywords. Can anyone point me in the proper direction for inspiration?

[ccoyle]

This is not a very popular technique in our mostly-wood-models community, although I have seen models done like that - mostly miniatures in diorama settings. A search on 'weathering' might yield some tips. Also, the more dedicated steel navy forums out there will have more info on weathering, albeit aimed at steel navy subjects obviously. Good luck with your search!

[justsayrow]

Shep Paine's "How to Build Dioramas", chapter 9 is a case study of his "Farewell to Bonhomme Richard". It's a great example of battle damage. Google Books previews most of it.

[tradewinds]

It is not clear to me what pereoud you have in mind so this may not be apro,but if the age of sail you could do well to look at some marime painters work who skeetcht from life  some things that they hopt woulb be usfull to there own work laiter.

I am thinking of P J Loutherbourg 17440-1812 and ther are others who took perticulare note of such thing and theas are well worth studing rather than fantisity stufff  robin

I prefer early eighteenth-century merchant vessels, frigates, and warships. 

Thank you for mentioning P J Loutherbourg as a resource, I will try to find examples of his paintings, as I want the ships to look historically authentic rather than comical.

[CaptainSteve]

Try a search in the Build Logs for Ship Model Kits section ... Enter these two terms: 'Dafi' & 'Victory'.

Now, stand back and be prepared to be amazed !!

Edited March 26, 2016 by CaptainSteve

[tradewinds]

Try a search in the Build Logs for Ship Model Kits section ... Enter these two terms: 'Dafi' & 'Victory'.

Now, stand back and be prepared to be amazed !!

CaptainSteve - Thank you a thousand times over for introducing me to Dafi's build log. One would be hard pressed to find greater inspiration. 

[tradewinds]

Actully I was thinking more of the skeetch books rather than finisht paintings the skeetches done from life usually after a ship or shipa return to port be it an enamy or other these were often recorded and this is very valuabal often in apainting such close observaition gets lost. robin

Is there an Internet resource available for his sketchbooks? My search resulted in just a few small images.

[Cathead]

If you're thinking of doing this in plastic, I recall someone writing an article in Model Railroader magazine an article about modelling damaged railroad cars. He had some fun techniques for bending and twisting plastic car bodies to simulate wrecked metal; for example I believe he used a hot flat-head screwdriver to gently warp the plastic inward, and so on. Certainly a number of model railroaders like to feature wrecks or other damage as part of their scenery. Perhaps a search of MR archives or other model railroad resources would help generate some techniques for modelling damage. I suspect you could use similar techniques for "damaging" plastic ship models, distressing them further with knife and rasp to make the final result more wood-like.

 

If nothing else, buy a cheap kit or some scrap styrene, mock up a few test pieces, and experiment.

[tradewinds]

If you're thinking of doing this in plastic, I recall someone writing an article in Model Railroader magazine an article about modelling damaged railroad cars. He had some fun techniques for bending and twisting plastic car bodies to simulate wrecked metal; for example I believe he used a hot flat-head screwdriver to gently warp the plastic inward, and so on. Certainly a number of model railroaders like to feature wrecks or other damage as part of their scenery. Perhaps a search of MR archives or other model railroad resources would help generate some techniques for modelling damage. I suspect you could use similar techniques for "damaging" plastic ship models, distressing them further with knife and rasp to make the final result more wood-like.

 

If nothing else, buy a cheap kit or some scrap styrene, mock up a few test pieces, and experiment.

That's a very resourceful suggestion, thank you.

[overdale]

Perhaps I can offer my own two cents worth.

 

Based on my experience, if you want to build an action diorama, stay away from cutaway features. It tends to confuse the viewer. Many think they are looking at battle damage and not an interior cut away. 

 

Some of the most effective dioramas like good oil paintings, concentrate on just suggesting what is there rather than struggling to pack everything in. Use the sea to set the scene, and the rest of the story will follow naturally.

 

'Less is more' in a diorama. 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 26, 2016 by overdale

[tradewinds]

Perhaps I can offer my own two cents worth.

 

Based on my experience, if you want to build an action diorama, stay away from cutaway features. It tends to confuse the viewer. Many think they are looking at battle damage and not an interior cut away. 

 

Some of the most effective dioramas like good oil paintings, concentrate on just suggesting what is there rather than struggling to pack everything in. Use the sea to set the scene, and the rest of the story will follow naturally.

 

'Less is more' in a diorama. 

 

 

 

 

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Sound advice, I love the dioramas pictured. Who did them?

[overdale]

Sound advice, I love the dioramas pictured. Who did them?

 

*cough*  erm… that would be me. 

 

I thought you might get a few ideas from them.. There are a few more on my website,  www.thehistoryman.com  and if you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask, that's what this place is all about.

 

Dan.

[tradewinds]

*cough*  erm… that would be me. 

 

I thought you might get a few ideas from them.. There are a few more on my website,  www.thehistoryman.com  and if you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask, that's what this place is all about.

 

Dan.

Dan, your work is mesmerizing and each scene tells so many different stories if one takes the time to listen. I can only image the thoughts that go through your mind as you create these masterpieces.

 

This forum has turned into quite the rabbit hole for me.