REVIEW: Dutch 17th Century Ship Models in Paper by Ab Hoving

[ccoyle]

Dutch 17^th Century Ship Models in Paper

An Introduction to Scratch Building Paper Ship Models

by Ab Hoving and Emiel Hoving

2024 Seawatch Books

USD $75.00

 

All photos courtesy of Seawatch Books

 

Long-time members of MSW will need little introduction to Ab Hoving, a man well known as a curator, modeler, and expert on 17th century Dutch shipbuilding. His exceptional knowledge in these areas is on display in his latest book, Dutch 17^th Century Ship Models in Paper: An Introduction to Scratch Building Paper Ship Models. I really don't need to say much regarding the topic and intended purpose of the book, since both are plainly stated in the title and subtitle. Rather, I will focus on the Big Question that any potential buyer of the book will undoubtedly have in mind when thinking about putting the book in his or her shopping cart at Seawatch:

 

Can I actually build a card model of a 17th century Dutch ship using the methods outlined by Mr. Hoving in this book?

 

I believe the answer to that question is a solid yes. First of all, Ab's method will not be completely foreign to anyone who has built a wooden ship model from a kit -- it's a take on the classic plank-on-bulkhead technique, starting with a longitudinal hull profile and a set of bulkheads. Instead of wood, the hull is built up from card stock. After a first planking in card, the hull is then 'planked' with self-adhesive plastic film (this is the method that we have seen so expertly done by MSW members Doris and Firdajan).

 

Ab walks the builder through two models, a relatively simple smalschip ("narrow ship") and a more complex pinas. Templates for the framing and planking of both models are provided in the book, and digital copies are available at Seawatch's website for those who have purchased a copy. Of course, after the basic hull is constructed, it needs to be appropriately painted. One of the things I have always appreciated about Ab's models is the high degree of realism they project as a result of his particular painting and weathering techniques. These are outlined in the book as well.

 

The book has some interesting selling points in addition to being a how-to on card modeling. The first few chapters are devoted to the vagaries of modeling Dutch ships due to the paucity of original source material (and the reasons for why such is the case), how the author has coped with those limitations, and how his research and his model building are inextricably linked (we who enjoy Ab's models should therefore be thankful for his intense desire to understand a subject as admittedly esoteric as 17th century Dutch shipbuilding practice). The book is also richly illustrated, both with diagrams and with beautiful photographs of the author's models. I was quite surprised, in fact, to learn that the book's photos depicted Mr. Hoving's models and not original works by the Dutch masters! His photo compositions are that convincing. Readers will be pleased to learn that the book describes exactly how to create such compositions using Photoshop.

 

To summarize, purchasers of this book will receive some interesting insight into the author's research and background, detailed descriptions of how to build two different Dutch ships using a technique that can readily be used for other ship model subjects, a plethora of beautiful photographs suitable for any coffee table, and a treatise on how to create life-like photographic compositions incorporating one's own models. That makes it a worthwhile addition to most anyone's library.

 

 

 

 

 

[Michael Mash]

Excellent review Chris.  

For card modelers   .   .   .  a bargain for the price.

Mike

 

p.s.  Where do you recommend as the best place to purchase it?

Edited Monday at 05:01 PM by Michael Mash
Added question

[mtaylor]

8 hours ago, Michael Mash said:

Excellent review Chris.  

For card modelers   .   .   .  a bargain for the price.

Mike

 

p.s.  Where do you recommend as the best place to purchase it?

Top of Chris's post....   Seawatch Books.  They're the publisher and also a sponsor here at MSW. You can order directly from them.

[amateur]

With respect to the models: some of them are in the ‘completed models gallery’ of MSW.

Buildlogs can be found on ‘papermodellers.com and here on MSW (search for Hooker, Icouldn’t get a working link…)

 

Jan

Edited yesterday at 07:21 AM by amateur