1/6 figures for my 1890's steam launch

Could it be that the figures being static in this case are easier to manage when floating the model boat on water?

once the figures are in thier places on the boat there is not much else to do with them, they will also be exposed to the crap involved in live steam operation and the weather involved in outdoor operation, thinking that the epoxy dressed figures will give a better look than cloth dressed figures, (most cloth even at 1/6th is way out of scale) I did experiment today with the standard epoxy sculpt, using talc as you would use flour while working with dough.. nice thin sheets were rolled out without sticking to the roller or board, this should be very helpful in the coming days.. gave another layer of lighweight to the coxswain, started to get the shirt bloused and the pants bell-bottomed.. also found some very small lace so the LT's wife will be dressed a little finer..

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Since your figures are going to be exposed to the elements, I can understand why you are going about it this way. I'm guessing you can also affix them in place so they don't fall off while the boat is moving.

You are very talented to be able to sculpt everything yourself like this. I admire those willing to experiment in that regard, as sculpting is definitely my weak area, never been very good at it. ;p

the daily layer of sculpt, you can't do to much at a time one misplaced thumb can trash 30 minutes of work.. he's starting to look the fit for the job.. still needs lots of work..

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That is pretty cool. And the craft details are amazing.

thanks all,, I just like pushing my limits, slowing up a bit to get things correct,, found a site with close-up photos of a 1897 uniform and an online digital copy of the navy's 1896 uniform manual (with color plates) some great correct info on details..

Oooh! I'm late to the party but luckily didn't miss anything.

Welcome aboard, and thank you for sharing your wonderful work! This is impressively cool.

started adding detail layers with the help of the new old info, also in the research found that the uniform a plan on doing for the LT. will allow him to have a sword, I have good photos and drawings of the navy sword so some 1/6th scale "forged in fire" will be coming.. worked on the body for the LT's and have her in better seated position,

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got some more work done, small details added to the coxswain (hes ready for close to final sanding and shaping) fitted the head to the LT's body, got his wife in a good position, period shoes added, started playing with sculpey for details that can be added, got the base of a hat I'm happy with..

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Coming along nicely. Very cool.

High button shoes! Very nice detail, even if it will not usually be visible! Actually, under her skirts and petticoats, will the shoes be visible at all?

do to the seated position the shoes/boots will be somewhat seen..[img][/img]

another day another layer of detail..

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Oh my God, that's awesome! Everything so functional and true to scale. Your characters have a style that has never been seen before. I can't wait to see the ship in action.

I have to admit this is a great break for the metal machining and wood work, she is looking a little better dressed, and made some patriotic roses to adorn her hat.. also completed deck coming strip, complex wood bending around a form (hopefuly the last white oak work on the model.)

Very nice.

Everything is looking so good!! 

Since you mention the bending of wood... I have a completely off-topic plan with wood. I do not have a steam box or anything. I have 4mm veneer of varying wood types in the size of a letter. Can you tell me whether I bend that just by soaking it in water for a certain amount of time? I would like to bend it to a 90 degree angle/curve...  Thank you!! 

thin stock should not need a steam box, a good few minute soak in boiling water should do the trick, you will have to clamp it over a form or shape of your bend and depending on the wood type a backing sheet of flexible metal will prevent cracking and splitting.. if you cut your form from a block of wood the scrap section can be used as backing,, just sandwich between them. sometimes it helps to make your form a tighter curve as the wood will spring back a little after the bending..

a little more work, the LT's wife is a little more complete, started work on the LT, the military creases in the pants should be fun.. decided that a fifth figure will be added, a line handling seaman, did a little more work on the boat chest and tools ( yes thats 1/6th scale dovetails and a funtional saw) slim is pretending to do work again..silk ribbon for the hat bands arrived, now to figure out to letter them..

I'm amazed by your ability to sculpt the clothing, that must take some patience !

This will look absolutely incredible once completed and sailing along on the boat. Thanks for sharing the process with us!

the patience is not trying to do to much at a time as the epoxies have a limited working time!! but it does give you time to think about what to do next, finding it best to work on several figures at different stages at the same time.. did find some gold block dry transfer letters in the correct size, will have to experiment with them and the fine silk..

WOW - this is totally beyond me...
My brain is shutting down at the mere beginning of thinking about this.

The sculpting of the clothing is superb.
Love the steam era looks.

Wow! Looking good. The lace is a nice touch,

as for bending wood I'm very happy with the last two weeks of work... thin stock laminated in layers after bending,, most was done with boiling water and not a steam box..(lots of clamps)

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Fantastic craftsmanship.

wet, windy and raining here today,, got a good amount work done on the LT figure, have to keep imaging them with colors

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a little forth of July just before X-mas.. still needs some plumes...

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Colors and details will really make your excellent work shine. And this is a great hint of that.

It's all coming together so beautifully! I love the aesthetic and wasn't even considering that you'd add colour, because this palette has its very own charm, but those flowers in her hat hint at more beautiful stuff to come!

tghsmith wrote:thin stock should not need a steam box, a good few minute soak in boiling water should do the trick, you will have to clamp it over a form or shape of your bend and depending on the wood type a backing sheet of flexible metal will prevent cracking and splitting.. if you cut your form from a block of wood the scrap section can be used as backing,, just sandwich between them. sometimes it helps to make your form a tighter curve as the wood will spring back a little after the bending..

Thank you so much!