A Novel Ship Model Plaque
Another ship model novelty consists of a miniature whittled ship sailing in a realistic setting of sea and sky and so mounted that it can be placed on a mantel or hung on the wall. Made in the form of an artistic plaque, it can be used as a decoration where other models would be too large. The spherical surface which forms the cyclorama for sea and sky is a 12 or 13 in. diameter wooden chopping bowl (see Fig. 8). These are obtainable at hardware and housefurnishing stores. First, sandpaper the inside of the bowl smooth and give it a coat of dark blue oil color of the type used by artists and sold in tubes. This will form the base color for the sky. Although any type of ship can be mounted in this way, a long slender clipper ship in full sail is probably the most decorative. The hull is whittled from a block of soft wood.
Cut the top of the hull out to form the bulwarks and glue bits of shaped wood to the deck to represent the deck houses, lifeboats, and other deck fittings. Since the hull is to be embedded in a putty sea, it is not necessary to fashion the complete hull; a depth of 1/4 in. below the water line will be sufficient. Paint and varnish the hull carefully. For a clipper ship, black with red below the water line gives a good effect. The tiny masts can be made in one piece, small steps being cut in to simulate the joints between the lower-mast, topmast, and topgallant mast. The masts are glued in holes in the deck. The yards and boom are nicely rounded sticks, tapering toward the ends. Black and white silk thread can be used for the rigging, and window shade material or heavy paper for the sails.
Before placing the putty sea, drive a half dozen brads into the inside of the wooden bowl where the sea is to be, so that their heads are lower than the plane of the bowl rim (see Fig. 8). Wind wire around these brads, looping it from one to the other, to form a reenforced base for the putty. The sea material is made by mixing colored pigments - green and lamp- black - with ordinary putty. Mix enough of the pigments to obtain the right tint and to bring the putty to a stiff consistency. Place the putty bit by bit, working it in between the wires and nails. At the upper edge of the putty sea, shape an almost square shelf to accommodate the model. When the putty has been built up flush with the rim of the bowl, the surface can be marked with the fingers and a knife blade or a pencil point to represent waves. After the model has been pushed into place, the putty should be pressed up tight against the sides of the hull.
While allowing the putty to harden, place the bowl at an angle so there will be no tendency for the putty to slip out of the bowl. When hard, the putty is painted green, and the tips of the modeled waves are touched with a bit of white to simulate whitecaps. The sky can be touched up to represent clouds, and if desired, a coast line may be painted along the horizon. If much painting is to be done to the sky, it will be well to complete it before the model is set up. To enhance the nautical effect of the plaque, a length of rope can be attached around the rim as shown. The rope and rim of the bowl are painted white, and the rope fastenings, which are canvas, red. If the plaque is to be hung on the wall, two screw eyes and a length of picture wire must be added to the back. To support it on the mantel, a suitable wireeasel can be arranged on the back.