Posted by Loren Perry on April 25, 1999 at 09:10:08 in 199.217.72.146:
In Reply to: Titanic at Sea posted by John Derby on April 25, 1999 at 07:39:24:
The photos of my 1/350 Minicraft model on this
site show my own version of the 1/350 scale Titanic
"at sea". Here's how I did it:
The Titanic sailed in calm waters prior to her
loss so I chose a piece of clear rippled plastic,
the kind used for light diffusers in fluorescent
light fixtures. You can find this at plastics
dealers. I spray painted the smooth side dark blue
and then placed it rippled side up.
Next, I placed the model's hull (after removing
the lower half) in the center of the clear plastic
"sea" and traced around it with a scribing tool.
This left a precise outline of the hull engraved
in the plastic's surface.
I then glued lengths of 1/32" square strips
along the outer edges of the scribed lines. These
formed a complete outline of the hull and would
allow me to build up closely-fitting waves without
risking the model's hull.
Next, I used a paste-like modeling substance
called Liqui-Tex (available at art stores) and
then, using a spatula, I built up bow waves and a
wake, fitting them tightly against the plastic
strips. When they were fully dry, I test-fitted the
hull and made any adjustments as required by adding
or removing Liqui-Tex. Use aerial photos of a real
ship underway at sea as your guide when sculpting
the bow waves and wake
Finally, I use a brush to hand-paint the waves
white and then brushed a little turquoise paint
between the white and the dark blue, blending it in
as I went. I used a "dappling" method of blending
in the colors, ie. "patting" the paint on with the
very ends of the brush's bristles.
When finished, I gave the entire "sea" a coat
of Gloss Artist's Medium (available at art stores)
to provide a wet look. When it was dry, I fastened
the model in place with bolts (which had already
been prepared in advance, including the drilling
of the holes in the "sea".) This allowed me to
remove the model later for access to internal
lighting, etc.