Le Soleil Royal by EJ_L - FINISHED - Sergal - Scale 1:77 - 1669 Version

[testazyk]

That comparison really shows you made the right decision!  And I like the way you've been able to make modifications to make your build even more unique.  Well done.

[yancovitch]

great...and the excitement builds!!!

[EJ_L]

And the start of the next figure which will sit above the port quarter galley. 

[popeye the sailor]

really super progress EJ.......carving look better than the originals  

[BLACK VIKING]

Definitely have to agree with popeye your carvings look a lot better than the cast ones  

Martyn

[EJ_L]

A few more carving updates. 

[EJ_L]

And mounted on the ship. 

My next question to the SR experts out there is what is she holding? I’ve seen 3 variants one being a fish, one a wheat sheaf and one a scepter so I’m thinking there was maybe some changes or just general disagreement on what she was holding. Does anyone know for certain or does it really matter much? I’m thinking either the fish or wheat would be appropriate as long as it was a food showing wealth but maybe I’m wrong in that thinking. Once I ha e a clearer idea I will add it to her hand.

 

Next up will be the starboard figure! 

 

Thanks as always to the comments, likes and visits. The suggestions and knowledge shared is always appreciated as is just the general encouragement. This truly is a great community. 

Edited July 26, 2018 by EJ_L

[Elijah]

Nice carving EJ!  Is there going to be another on the other side? Maybe one was holding a fish and the other wheat? I really have no idea! 

[yancovitch]

you seem to be able to capture a fluidity in your sculptures, a feeling of movement, which is nice....

[Sjors]

Your carving is top notch EJ!.

And I can not help you with what she is holding.

Maybe it has something to do with what she is doing?

Guarding or just sailing or on a peace mission?

 

Sjors

[Hubac's Historian]

Hey EJ - great work on your figure of the “Americas”!

 

Looking as closely as I can at Berain’s drawing of the stern, it appears that this figure, on the port side, is not holding anything.  Her left hand is perched, at her side, upon the arched pass-through that she sits upon. Her right arm is raised, crossing her body with the hand resting on the quarter piece that supports the side lantern.

 

It is the figure of “Europe,” astride her horse (perched upon the left side of the taffrail) that appears to be holding a pointed spear, or scepter.  This would make sense, thematically, as Europe was the dominant continental power, with “Asia” (on the right side of the taffrail, astride her camel), the next leading world power.  The neo-classical robes of Europe and Asia are emblematic of their self-conception as developed cultures, while the Americas and Africa are mostly bare-skinned and wearing only primitive vestments.

Edited July 26, 2018 by Hubac's Historian

[jay]

Hubac’s,

 

that’s some excellent research, as always thank you 👍🏻

 

Jay

[Hubac's Historian]

You are welcome, Jay.  In truth, though, I owe my understanding of the allegory of SR’s stern to Michel Saunier and his painstaking research for his completely scratch-built model.  Michel is the primary researcher of this ship.  If you haven’t seen his model, you should look it up on MSW.

[EJ_L]

Thank you everyone for all the comments, likes and following along! Another busy week working on the ship has passed and just like that, all the balcony and quarter galley sculptures are complete! I wasn’t sure I would ever get to say that... Of course I still have a lot to go when I get to the sides but another bite of the elephant has been taken. 

 

Next up I am going to build he rudder and add the stern chasers and port lids so I can spin the ship around to focus on the bow and sides. 

 

More to come but, for now enjoy the update! 

 

 

[yancovitch]

absolutely gorgeous!!!......and very elegant.....

Edited July 31, 2018 by yancovitch

[Fright]

All of your carving work is exemplary - the stern of this ship looks incredible!!!

[Sjors]

My hat of for you master builder!

 

Sjors

[Landlubber Mike]

Amazing carvings, great work!  You probably mentioned this before but can I ask what wood you are using?

[Hubac's Historian]

The figures of the four seasons really tie the whole thing together, EJ.  These are your best carvings, yet!

[Old Collingwood]

Absolutley  Superb,   this is why joining our family here is so worthwhile, to witness a master piece of art being created stage by stage.

 

Thank you.

 

OC.

[popeye the sailor]

I'm sure I'm not alone........all the while your making these carvings,  I tend to forget that your lighting the model too.  so it's an added treat to see her lit up     she's look'in very good EJ.

[testazyk]

An amazing achievement--looking better all the time.

[EJ_L]

Thank you all so very much for the compliments and likes!

 

Mike, the wood for the carvings is basswood, what can be easily found in most of the major U.S. hobby stores, Michael's, Hobby Lobby etc. It is a great wood to learn with as it is soft and easy to shape with knives and files but, due to it's softness it has a harder time taking and holding fine details. Also it is prone to splitting rather easily. I've spent a lot of time searching for tiny pieces like arms, hands, feet, vine tips and the like that flake off unintentionally. If I can find the broken piece I can often glue them back together and continue but sometimes I have to start over. Granted, that can be said about any wood but, bass wood is a bit more prone to it due its softness.  

 

I've got some cut off scraps that of cherry, apple and maple that I am starting to work with to see how those take. On this model since I am painting all the decorations I will probably continue to use the basswood for the remaining decorations with the exception of the bow figure. Due to the size and detail involved in that particular piece, I will probably try whichever sample species I like the best. Most builds I prefer not to paint the wood but instead use the natural wood colors. For those I want to use a nicer wood that will both take the detail better but also not leave the "fuzzy" look that the basswood tends to leave. I've seen a lot of very nice models where the builder has left them natural and they are beautiful. That is the goal I have set for myself. I still have some work to do... 😬

 

Denis, you hit the nail on the head with forgetting about the lights! My dad actually said the same thing a few days ago. He called me up saying that he was trying to show a friend pictures of my model ships and couldn't remember if it was this one or the last that had lights. I realized it had been a while since I had updated any with them on. It does add a really cool element to the build and I am glad I took the time to install them. Makes for a really cool look at night too with the lights off. I will have to try to get a picture of it that way on one of the future updates.

 

Well, back to it. Working on the rudder tonight. Thank you all again for following along! 

[EJ_L]

I’ve started work in the bow areas this weekend. Nice to be able to look at a different end of the ship for a change. 😁  

 

As always, thank you all for the nice comments, likes and following along. More to follow! 

[Old Collingwood]

That is a high forecastle.

 

OC.

[EJ_L]

Been a while since the last update but, I’ve not been idle. Lots of work on the bow and knees. I’ve also started to carve the figure head. I’m planning on making it in two pieces, seahorse and rider. I’ve also chosen to carve these out of cherry wood as I wanted to try a harder wood to see how the details hold up and just how difficult it would be to carve. 

[zappto]

Beautifull detailed work on carvings, stern looks majestic! 

 

[EJ_L]

First part of the figurehead is dryfitted in place. I will start working on the rider next as well as the shield piece that will sit between the front legs. 

[Hubac's Historian]

Great start to the head, EJ!

[BLACK VIKING]

Just caught up with your build and all I can say is wow . Very well done my friend can't wait to see the figure head finished 

Martyn