I, Evan McMurtry, have been involved in model shipbuilding for the past six years. My
previous models have been a replica of the Scottish Maid, from a kit
by Artesania Latina, with a completed hull, masts and yards. Also, a
replica of the Bluenose II, again from a kit by Artesania Latina,
with a completed hull, but no masts and yards. With this experience I
have, hopefully, learned from my past errors, having also been
hindered by a lack of adequate instructions, which is why both ships
remain to this day incomplete.
With this blog series, I plan to
document my construction of La Jacinthe, an 1830s French Naval
schooner. It will be the same size as the two previous builds, only
made from scratch from plans by Jean Boudriot of Paris, France, which
I had ordered through Nautical Mind bookstore on the Toronto
waterfront. With good luck, the finished model will have the finest materials, including veneer made from pear wood, stern decorations covered in gold leaf and blocks made from boxwood (procured from an exotic wood importer in Burlington, Ontario).
My next blog entry will follow tomorrow - or later - and I promise to upload some pictures, along with commentary on my next endeavour: using a set of ships curves to loft a set of frames for La Jacinthe.
You raise some very good points here in your introduction Evan.
ReplyDeleteIn particular your point about instructions. I know in the world of Tamia Models, instructions are often quite brief, and usually more of a hindrance than a help! And yet, therein lies the joy of model building - surging on, concerning obstacles, surmounting challenges, and learning through the best method of all: trial an error.
ReplyDeleteI know in the world of watercolours, some similar problems can occur. Often, when pursuing a new craft idea, or building a model, or painting a picture, as beginners, we don't posses the know-how, and accuracy to execute our tasks. And in many cases, the tutorials, videos and online help that is available, does a good job of "exhibiting specific techniques," but does not actually do a good job of teaching newcomers "how to execute, how to move your hand, how to position the paper," to achieve the expected outcomes. But alas, therein could quite possibly be the joy of visual art!!