Hello everyone. I'm looking for some instructional books on figure painting 1/35 - 120mm scale models. With the holidays coming up my parents are asking what I'd like and I'd like to ask for the best book (or books if I'm lucky) that I could possibly get. Thanks!

Hi Kieran,

I highly recommend the Osprey titles "Modelling Waffen-SS" by Calvin Tan and "Modelling Falschirmjager" by Jaume Ortiz. Both paint in acrylics if you're into that, and although the books focus on one subject (each chapter deals with a different model though) it's all about the techniques, which are easily transposed to other figure subjects.

I suppose I really should have begun the post by asking what your preferred paint medium is? And what is the subject of your figure painting? Mostly military? Or also planning to paint a few historicals?

Rudi

I've found Brett Avants' "Getting Started Painting Diorama Figures in Acrylics" to be most helpful if this is your preferred medium.



HTH

Andy

Hi Kieran,

I have the book that Andy mentions above, and it's definitely a decent starter book.

Without knowing specifically what eras you're interested in, your preferred painting medium or your skill level, personally I'd recommend a couple of books from two of the "greats" in the field:

Bill Horan's Military Modelling Master Class - published by Windrow & Greene, hardback (ISBN No. 1-872004-09-1)

and

Building and Painting Scale Figures by Sheperd Paine - published by Kalmbach Books, paperback (ISBN No. 1 85310 496 5)

While perhaps they're not the newest books on the market (both mid '90s vintage), as far as I'm concerned, these are both "beginners' bibles" - as well as being very inspirational.

And although the main bias is perhaps towards more historical figures as opposed to the WWII era, the techniques described therein can be applied equally to any era. You'll also find tips on composing vignettes, conversion and sculpting, if you ever want to give that a go.

The caveat is that I'm not sure whether or not these books are still in print, and Bill Horan paints in enamels, which seem to be regarded in many quarters as somewhat passe these days (you can't argue with his results though).

As far as the Osprey books that Rudi mentions above are concerned, they are indeed excellent books, but probably not really good beginners' books, as some of the techniques for camo are quite complex.

A more general volume from the Osprey range is "Modelling Scale Figures" by Mark Bannerman. Its ISBN No. is 978-1-84603-238-7 and it's published in paperback by (surprise, surprise) Osprey Publishing. It's also definitely currently in print. This Osprey book deals with all the basic techniques, as well has having a section each about painting with acrylics, enamels and oils.

There's also this book from Andrea Miniatures (although I don't have it myself):

http://www.andrea-miniatures.com/market/AspsProductos/Detalle.asp?IdProductoDetalle=1176

... and this new one, which also looks very good and is on my own Christmas list (I'm hoping that the Mrs can take a hint, LOL!). The reviewer over at Historicus Forma also gives it a big thumbs-up:

https://hfmodeling.kitmaker.net/review/3514

Hope this helps.

- Steve

Hey Steve,

Thanks for that lengthy response. I always find it interesting how various persons opinions differ - truly "your mileage may vary"

I agree Horan's book is terrific - as is Paine's. When you can find them

Are the 2 Osprey books too advanced for a beginner? Yes, perhaps Calvin's, but I think Jaume's book caters to all levels.

Haven't read the new Bannerman book, although I'm dead kean, I hope it's better than the panzer figures book, which I felt regurgitated much of what i'd already seen on the web. That said, it was still a welcome addition to the library although i'd be hesitant to recommend it.

The Andrea book: not sure which one you're referring to, as the link goes daft. I've got their figure painting in acrylics book & CD. I was one of my first books. It's not bad, but as my library grew I found myself favouring other books instead.

I've got a couple of others as well, but personally the one I currently refer to the most is that by Calvin Tan.

But as I said, tell us which medium you're working in as the advice may change...

Rudi

Hi Rudi,

The Andrea book I linked to above is

"FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions about Figure Painting Techniques" (the one with a First World War German soldier on the cover).

You're right - the link does go a bit daft sometimes when you try it. Try clicking on it twice - the second time should get you to the right page.

- Steve

Thanks for the replies guys! I've checked out the Waffen-ss book before and it seemed around my level, if just a bit too advanced, but I still understood it. All those other books sound great. I'm really going to have a hard choice to make.

I paint in acrylics, mainly because of the speed and the cleanup. I have to admit, I am a lazy person so that may have influenced my choice.

I heard that Calvin Tan's book was good but that some of the mixes for colour were off, and when mixed did not give the proper colour. Do most of you just mix your own colours when you see one in a book?
Thanks.

I have to be honest Kieran, I do very few of these compicated 1:3:3:2 types of mixes that books and articles tell you to do - firstly because I'm a little bit lazy like that, and secondly because Vallejo (my usual brand of choice for acrylics) in any case do such an extensive range of so many similar - yet at the same time subtly different - shades that in most cases I can find one that matches the colour I'm after, or as close to it as makes no odds.

I also sometimes use oils, which is a different technique again.

- Steve

Hi Kieran,
Verlinden put out a book a few years ago called The way.
It covers most painting issues and uses Oil and Enamels,I've used it to great success.
I've got it scanned to my PC.,Send me a PM with your email address and I'll send it to you

Regards

Chris

Thanks for that! I won't be able to use the techniques for a bit but it looks great.