Book Description
Building a model from a kit is an excellent way to develop your modeling skills. But once you've mastered the basics, where do you go? If you're looking for a challenge, you move on to scratchbuilding. And that can be imposing: With a kit, you worked with someone else's plans, materials, and building instructions. Scratchbuilding makes you master of your own fate. You do the research, choose the subject, the scale, the material. The choices are limited only by your enthusiasm.
Edwin B. Leaf scratchbuilt his first model--a Baltimore clipper--nearly fifty years ago, and he's been refining and building on his skills ever since. In Ship Modeling from Scratch he lays out the principles--from concept to construction to display--on which scratchbuilding is based. In clear, concise language complemented by detailed illustrations he tells how to interpret existing drawings or create your own, what materials to choose, what tools to buy, and what techniques to use to build everything from plank-on-frame, plank-on-bulkhead, or modern steel hulls to creating sharp and properly scaled details--paint to portholes.
Building a model from scratch is a singular pursuit that requires patience, confidence, and ingenuity. With Ship Modeling from Scratch open on your workbench, you have your own private tutor guiding you through the troublespots.
Customer Reviews:
General overview of Ship Modeling.......2007-08-07
I find the book a good introduction to the concepts, but a bit lite in detail.
A necessary book for the model ship builder.......2006-03-24
I purchased this book several years past. This Amazon.com reviewer is an avid ship modeler. I use this book nearly constantly. I give this book five stars.
Now, this book was written in 1993. So, there are no web sites for reference nor is there a more recent write up. If a person is interested in making a scratch built ship they should surf onto the steelnavy.com web site. Steel Navy is known as one of the best web references for ship building. Museum quality ships from the world have pictures on that page. If you want American warship plans then surf to "Maryland Silver". They have nearly all of the ship plans of the modern Navy. Furthermore, they have plans for most of the pre-1880 (modern Navy) ships. Last, a fair source of ship plans is Ebay. One vendor on Ebay sells quite warships and Great Lakes vessels. If you are making a modern ship and need fittings the web sites to check out are H&R Products, Blue Jacket Ship Models, and The Scale Shipyard. All three web locations have lots of fittings for ships.
Now, back to this book.
This book covers all necessary steps for a ship modeler. The first chapter is on getting correct plans. If your plans are off then what is the point? The second chapter covers making the keel, ribs (frames), and then planking the ship. The rest of the chapters follow in logical progression. The chapters vary from rigging your model if you have a sailing ship to building a superstructure for a modern ship. Note, there are two complete sets of plans in the back of the book. One for a sailing ship and another for a simple cargo steamer. I didn't build either because this modeler makes battleships.
Speaking of battleships, the book gives quite a bit of information on constructing a South Carolina class battleship. The South Carolina class is semi-famous in model circles. The first ship of the class, BB-27, the USS Michigan, has extensive model construction articles written about it in this book. Now, the chapter on Cage Mast Construction is about the only major book that has been published that covers this topic. Cage Masts were found on every battleship made in the USA from about 1910 to 1920. Cage Masts are seen on many of the battleships, like the USS Tennessee, at Pearl Harbor. So, it's very good that a major book tells how to make a cage mast. Note, the chapter on Cage Mast construction will advise a builder to make a jig for the mast. Furthermore, it's advisable that no cage mast be made that is smaller than 1/144th scale.
The book also gives advise on the cutting of wood, plastics, and metal. Furthermore, there is suggestions by the author on what type of wood cutting machines to buy, such as a table saw, and what sort of finishing tool to purchase. The hobby of ship modelling is a lot easier if you have a Demel tool.
The book had lots of little helpful items. It give basic instructions for making a deadeye. Port holes, very necessary for a making a convincing ship, are covered in this book. If you don't want to follow the advise you can get fair portholes from either H & R Products or Blue Jacket.
The only thing that isn't really covered in this book is making a boat radio controlled. You'll have to get another book if you wish to RC your beloved museum quality ship.
I hope you enjoy this book as much as I have. This book should be studies by any body who wishes to make their first scratch built model. Note, there are no large scale commercial models of Great Lakes steamers or Pre-WWII battleships. So, if you want to build a nice model battleship of the USS Florida you'll have to get the plans from Maryland Silver, the fitting from H & R Products, and read this book to learn the knowledge necessary for making that model.
Best wishes, fellow ship builder, on reading this book. You'll enjoy your purchase. I look forward to hearing about your question on steelnavy.com .
This book is worth all five stars.
Book Description
This set includes the book How to Draw Manga: Getting Started - with sections on Basics, Characters, Tone, Storytelling, and Backgrounds. Also in the set is 5 sheets of double sided 8 1/2 x 11 3/4 paper, black ink illustrations pen, 8" ruler, 2 pencils, eraser, and plastic curve template. The set is packaged in a hard plastic case, good for storage or travel. (****Additional Text****) A Previews Exclusive! Imported from Japan! You've read the books. You've got your ideas ready to run down your arm to the waiting paper... but how do you get started? Graphic Sha and Previews have the answer with the official How to Draw Manga "Getting Started" Illustration Kit! This indispensable kit is perfect for any budding manga-ka to launch their first project, and includes: a copy of the 128-page English-language book, How To Draw Manga: Getting Started featuring informative chapters on "the basics," Characters, Tone, Storytelling, and even backgrounds! PLUS: 10 sheets of 8 ½" x 11 ¾" (A4-size) authentic Deleter brand Manga Illustration Paper, One Deleter Black Ink Illustration Pen, One Deleter brand "Neo-Piko" Color Marker (one pen, TWO tips, thick and thin!), One Plastic Curve Template, an 8" Plastic Ruler, Two Pencils, and an Eraser... all packaged in a durable, hard plastic case, perfect for storage or travel!
Customer Reviews:
Buy if u know about drawing.......2005-10-10
I found the explinations rather vague.... the book doesn't really explain too well the form in which you have to draw, its good at teaching technique materials requires and stuff, but if you don't already know how to draw its a little hard to learn how to draw good anime from it. I didn't get much from this book... it doesn't give much explination in the actualy WAY you need to draw the head and body. And it gave absolutley no teaching on how to draw the eyes... which is an essential part of the anime style drawing, maybe its to get you to buy the other books??
Book Description
Cocoa® is more than just a collection of classes, and is certainly more than a simple framework. Cocoa is a complete API set, class library, framework, and development environment for building applications and tools to run on Mac OS® X. With over 240 classes, Cocoa is divided into two essential frameworks: Foundation and Application Kit. Above all else, Cocoa is a toolkit for creating Mac OS X application interfaces, and it provides access to all of the standard Aqua® interface components such as menus, toolbars, windows, buttons, to name a few. Cocoa in a Nutshell begins with a complete overview of Cocoa's object classes. It provides developers who may be experienced with other application toolkits the grounding they'll need to start developing Cocoa applications. Common programming tasks are described, and many chapters focus on the larger patterns in the frameworks so developers can understand the larger relationships between the classes in Cocoa, which is essential to using the framework effectively. Cocoa in a Nutshell is divided into two parts, with the first part providing a series of overview chapters that describe specific features of the Cocoa frameworks. Information you'll find in Part I includes:
- An overview of the Objective-C language
- Coverage of the Foundation and Application Kit frameworks
- Overviews of Cocoa's drawing and text handling classes
- Network services such as hosts, Rendezvous URL services, sockets, and file handling
- Distributed notifications and distributed objects for interapplication communication
- Extending Cocoa applications with other frameworks, including the AddressBook, DiscRecording, and Messaging frameworks
The second half of the book is a detailed quick reference to Cocoa's Foundation and Application Kit (AppKit) classes. A complement to Apple's documentation, Cocoa in a Nutshell is the only reference to the classes, functions, types, constants, protocols, and methods that make up Cocoa's Foundation and Application Kit frameworks, based on the Jaguar release (Mac OS X 10.2). Peer-reviewed and approved by Apple's engineers to be part of the Apple Developer Connection (ADC) Series, Cocoa in a Nutshell is the book developers will want close at hand as they work. It's the desktop quick reference they can keep by their side to look something up quickly without leaving their work. Cocoa in a Nutshell is the book developers will want close at hand as they work. It's the desktop quick reference they can keep by their side to look something up quickly without leaving their work.
Customer Reviews:
A Great Purchase.......2007-03-24
One of the best books a Cocoa programmer can buy! It references most of the Cocoa API and Objective-C, as well as providing a few good examples. I find it indispensable.
A Good Reference -- Not a Tutorial!!!.......2005-07-24
This book may be recommended by Apple Computer as reading for programmers aspiring to be OS X Cocoa programmers, but these "In a Nutshell..." books from O'Reiley are like the dictionary. They are good references, but not good to learn from.
A much better starting place to learn Cocoa programming -- the best OS X technology for new Mac-OSX only software -- is the book "Learning Cocoa with Objective-C'. This book is also on Apple's recommended reading list for programmers aspiring to master Cocoa.
The ISBN number of "Learning Cocoa..." is: 0-596-00301-3.
I plan to continue my study of Cocoa with "Programming in Objective-C:A Complete Introduction to the Objective-C language". I feel that I need this book even though I know C and C++. Objective-C is quite a bit different. ISBN 0-672-32586-1
Then, I plan to read: "Cocoa Programming" ISBN 0-67232230-7.
That brings me back to the book that I started with. "Cocoa in a Nutshell". Then, I'd be ready for a reference book, and I would also use Apple's web reference, and on-disk reference materials that are on your hard disk when you install Apple's free development tools.
Book Description
A complete
drawing kit for beginners.
Learning the captivating art of pencil drawing has never been easier! In this comprehensive introductory kit, acclaimed artist Gene Franks walks you through all the essentials, covering basic techniques as well as more complex concepts such as perspective and value.
Pencil Drawing includes nine complete step-by-step drawing lessons to follow and learn. Each project in the book contains clear instructions, helpful tips, and easy-to-follow illustrations. And in addition to the project book, the kit also
includes all the art tools and materials you will need to get started creating impressive works of art right away. Beginners are practically guaranteed successful results!
Hardcover 6.875" x 10.25" case includes a 32-page paperback book, 6 different pencils, sharpener, pencil extender, artist's triangle, sandpaper pad, blending stump, kneaded eraser, and pad of drawing paper.
Customer Reviews:
A Complete Drawing Kit for Beginners.......2005-09-04
This Drawing Kit is a very good starting point for a beginner. In one package you have a good set of lessons, a coordinated set of tools and instructions that are very clear. The drawing results you achieve in each lesson are directly related to your effort put into each lesson.
Gene Franks is an excellent instructor. Try it, you will like this book.
You Can Do Better.......2004-04-13
The very short book has a few nice drawings of varied subjects, broken down into a few stages each. There's little in the way of real instruction, though--certainly little that a true newbie would find of use.
The art materials include a very small sketch pad (just 9.5 x 6.5 inches) and a passable beginner's assortment of pencils and so forth, as described by Amazon. There's one huge problem with the pencils, though: the darkest is a 2B. For many pencil artists, that's the _lightest_ thing they'll often work with. If you want to achieve truly dark areas in a drawing for realistic contrast and shading, you need something more like 6 or 7B and darker (or charcoal pencils or sticks).
You'd be better off buying basic materials at an art supply store and checking out beginner tutorials online, more detailed instructional books, and/or taking a class at your local art center, school, etc. For a newbie, I'd recommend getting a full set of quality art pencils (like 8B-2H hardness) in a case, a kneaded eraser (vital!), vinyl eraser, a couple stumps/tortillons, a small sanding block (or just use a piece of fine-grit sandpaper for carpentry, etc.), a sharpener (any standard one will do), a ruler, a circle template, and a _big_ sketch pad.
Brought out the artist in me.......2002-07-22
Before I got this kit, I never really thought I was that good at art. Once I got it out, I couldn't stop drawing the beautiful pictures he teaches. When I brought my drawings to church, everyone was amazed at how good at art I was. Everyone I showed my pictures to thought they were beautiful. I would highly recommend this book. The instructions are easy to do and understand.
Excellent kit for any drawing enthusiast........2000-11-22
With the basic materials in your hand and an insipiration in your head you are all set to begin Pencil Drawing as a career or as a hobby. The instruction book begins with some small objects and extends upto quite complex drawings. It explains all the drawings step by step.
I would like to suggest one thing. The author here is an expert and the drawings that he has mentioned in the instruction book are quite "life like" and exceptional. DO NOT TRY TO ACHIEVE SAME QUALITY THE FIRST TIME. Though it looks so simple from the steps that author mentions, you might end up with some frustration. INSTEAD TRY TO DRAW THEM TO THE BEST OF YOUR CALIBER or maybe leave them half done. TRY TO GET THE IDEAS BEHIND DRAWING AND SKETCHING and I am sure the whole kit is PRACTICALLY meant for that.........TO GET YOU STARTED!
This kit is also a great gift idea to someone who is interested in drawing and sketching. I bought it two years ago for myself and am buying it again as a gift for someone special in India.
Excellent kit for any drawing enthusiast........2000-11-22
With the basic materials in your hand and an insipiration in your head you are all set to begin Pencil Drawing as a career or as a hobby. The instruction book begins with some small objects and extends upto quite complex drawings. It explains all the drawings step by step.
I would like to suggest one thing. The author here is an expert and the drawings that he has mentioned in the instruction book are quite "life like" and exceptional. DO NOT TRY TO ACHIEVE SAME QUALITY THE FIRST TIME. Though it looks so simple from the steps that author mentions, you might end up with some frustration. INSTEAD TRY TO DRAW THEM TO THE BEST OF YOUR CALIBER or maybe leave them half done. TRY TO GET THE IDEAS BEHIND DRAWING AND SKETCHING and I am sure the whole kit is PRACTICALLY meant for that.........TO GET YOU STARTED!
This kit is also a great gift idea to someone who is interested in drawing and sketching. I bought it two years ago for myself and am buying it again as a gift for someone special in India.
Book Description
This colorful drawing kit includes 4 fine-line markers, 4 Uglydoll pencil-top erasers, 3 colored pencils, drawing pencil, sharpener, and a drawing pad. And the 32-page project book teaches artists of all ages and skill levels to draw the "ugliest" characters around, from Jeero and Wagehead to Ice-Bat and UglyDog.
Customer Reviews:
Uglydoll Drawing Kit.......2007-05-13
Uglydolls are really cool, this kit is great, it's not only about drawing in some ways, and yes drawing Uglys can be hard!
Book Description
*Features clear instruction for drawing, shading and painting dragons
*Includes acrylic paints, paintbrushes, and a drawing pad and pencil and more
Nothing makes a fantasy fan's imagination catch fire like the dragon, one of the most enduringly popular beasts of legend. Now beginning artists can learn simple secrets and tricks for creating their own dragon artworks. Based on the bestselling title, DragonArt, this kit offers an instructional book along with pencils, paper, brushes and paints-everything the aspiring fantasy artist needs to create their own mythical works of art.
Customer Reviews:
5 star, but hoping for a bigger book.......2007-08-11
I give this five stars because it is extremely helpful in instructing you how to form your own dragon, but I was hoping for a bigger book to go along with the brushes, pencils, and paints. It's worth the purchase if you'll use everything in the kit, but the $19.99 book is the better purchase.
awsome.......2007-03-19
comes with everything a beginner needs. I just wish I had more free time to draw...
Great !.......2007-02-08
It was simple and complicated enough for my 9 year old. The illustrations are great and the details are easy enough to understand. The paint brush was actually a pretty nice one and not plastic stiff brissles.
Book Description
Discover the art of beautiful writing! Fun with Calligraphy comes with everything you need to start writing with style -- including cartridge and felt-tip calligraphy pens, with a variety of exciting ink colors! Inside the 32-page activity book, you'll learn how to re-create a number of lovely alphabets, step by step. And you'll also find plenty of ways to use your new writing skills -- from decorating stylish stationery to creating cool greeting cards. A fantastic world of elegant letters awaits. So why not get started? Write here, right now!
Kit includes 32-page activity book, 2 felt-tip calligraphy pens, 7 ink cartridges, cartridge calligraphy pen, metallic calligraphy marker, artist's triangle, drawing pencil, eraser, practice paper pad, stationery paper, stickers, and notecards with envelopes
Customer Reviews:
learning caligraphy.......2007-05-13
This was purchased for my teenage daughter who wanted to learn caligraphy to add verses onto her watercolor paintings. She has learned it takes a lot of practice. This is a very nice set with good supplies for someone who wants to learn caligraphy.
Pretty Nice for the Price.......2007-01-12
I bought this as a Christmas gift for my daughter who LOVES to write and draw all over EVERYTHING and it kept her occupied for hours. However, the ink does get all over the place if you aren't careful. She has enjoyed it alot and the price is good.
DECENT ENOUGH SERVICE.......2006-11-01
PRODUCT RECEIVED IN GREAT CONDITION. DELIVERY TIME NOT SO PERFECT, BUT GOOD PRODUCT.
Not all that it seems.......2006-08-30
The pen is rather cheap and the book only shows basic calligraphy. Good for kids to play with, but don't buy it for yourself.
Book Description
Ready! Set! Draw! Here's a chance for comic fans to learn how to draw all of their favorite DC Comics Superheroes Wonder Woman, Superman, Batman, and Robin. The drawing portfolio includes a 48-page book which leads artists of all levels through techniques, shapes, perspective, figures, and more. With a pencil, pen, ruler and instructional poster, readers can use what they've learned to draw their very own comic book.
Includes:
48-page instructional booklet
Instructional Poster
Pencil with eraser
Dual-sided pen
Ruler
A blank comic book to be drawn by budding artists!
Book Description
Now young artists can discover the secrets behind drawing Tinker Bell, Bess, Lily, and all the other Disney Fairies with this magical drawing book and kit. Markers, glitter glue, stick-on jewels, and stickers only add to the fun!
Customer Reviews:
Good Choice!.......2007-09-16
I am very glad that I ordered this book. It has very detailed illustrations to help me get a handle on drawing my fairys.
One of the better Disney tie-ins.......2007-08-22
This step-by-step drawing book illustrates ten different characters -- the fairies Beck, Bess, Fira, Lily, Prilla, Rani, Tinker Bell and Vidia; the sparrow man Terence; and Queen Clarion. Best for older elementary-school to early high-school kids, it has easy-to-follow illustrations but goes into lots of intricate detail. Budding artists can use it to create full figures as well as portraits, each in four steps. The sections for Tinker Bell, Rani, Beck, Fira and Vidia also show how to draw portrait details such as shoulders, hair and eyelashes. Throughout the book, sidebar sketches display details such as noses, lips, eyes, clothing and wings, and show both proper and improper techniques. The book itself is printed on quality gloss paper stock, and nicely illustrated with soft floral backgrounds and leafy borders.
One final note: The female figures here all share the impossibly tiny waists common in cartoons and, for that matter, fashion illustration, but they don't have exaggerated bustlines or hips. And though the faces have plenty of personality -- Vidia bears a striking resemblance to Meg, from Disney's "Hercules" -- there's no cleavage, and none of the skirts or dresses shown are very high cut.
-- By Julie Neal, author of The Complete Guide to Walt Disney World.
Older or advanced little artists only........2007-01-17
Nice book. A little complex for kids under 10.
good item.......2007-01-10
it shows u how to draw the fairys heads and then a separate pic of their full bodies. and it has some tips to show u how individual fairys are drawn like tinks cheeks always look like this - not this and so on . great for little artist :)
Book Description
This all-inclusive kit combines simple, step-by-step instruction for drawing a range of Disney/Pixar characters with a selection of colorful drawing tools. The kit features a 32-page project book and all the tools needed to bring the characters to life with color!
Kit includes drawing pencil, eraser, sharpener, 5 fine-line markers, 5 jumbo markers, double-sided colored pencils, refrigerator magnet, 72 stickers, blank "draw your own" storybook, drawing pad
Books:
- Shoes: A Celebration of Pumps, Sandals, Slippers & More
- Snow Flower and the Secret Fan: A Novel
- Someday
- Stink and the World's Worst Super-Stinky Sneakers (Stink)
- The Art of Polymer Clay Creative Surface Effects: Techniques and Projects Featuring Transfers, Stamps, Stencils, Inks, Paints, Mediums, and More
- The Art of Polymer Clay Creative Surface Effects: Techniques and Projects Featuring Transfers, Stamps, Stencils, Inks, Paints, Mediums, and More
- The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible
- The Complete Visual Dictionary of Star Wars: The Ultimate Guide to Characters and Creatures from the Entire Star Wars Saga
- The Fashion Designer Survival Guide: An Insider's Look at Starting and Running Your Own Fashion Business
- The History of Costume: From Ancient Mesopotamia Through the Twentieth Century
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Sink Reflections: Overwhelmed
- Journey Of Souls: Case Studies of Life Between Lives
- Criminal Minded: A Novel
- Figure of Hate
- Fine Art Printing for Photographers: Exhibition Quality Prints with Inkjet Printers
- Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science
- J. Edgar Hoover: The Man and the Secrets
- Mother Goose's Guide to Scrapbooking Your Baby: Creating Fabulous Projects & Pages with Classic
- Close to Shore: A True Story of Terror in an Age of Innocence
- Seeds of Continental United States Legumes
General
| Puzzles & Games
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
Ship Modeling from Stem to Stern
The Ship Model Builder's Assistant
Ship Modeling Simplified: Tips and Techniques for Model Construction from Kits
Planking Techniques for Model Ship Builders
Historic Ship Models
