Getting back into armor modeling after a long absence. Right now I only afford one book on painting and weathering. In your opinion which would be the best: Adam Wilder, Michael Rinaldi, or Mig Jiminez?
Thanks for your input!

John

I think Wilder's two volumes on construction and painting are excellent, with outstanding photographic illustrations that really show you exactly what he is talking about. If you shop around you can find each volume for about $35, so there is no need to pay the $45-50 price some sellers want. Two books that cover just about everything most armor model builders could ever handle is more attractive to me than an ever-expanding series of books with hefty price tags--does anybody really need a fifty-dollar book for each and every model-painting technique ever devised?

Also keep in mind that much of the content of many books is available for free on YouTube. In some cases you have to wonder if it's worth buying a book that just repeats what various seminar videos by all the authors you mention make available at no cost.

Here's a couple videos of Mig Jimenez at an IPMS showing his painting technique:
Day 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEVBp530bEU

Day 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEVBp530bEU

Hi John,

I would recommend Wilder's books to get started. Afterwards I would recommend Rinaldi's Tank Art books.

You can complement Wilder book with Wilder's Youtube channel so you can see "in live" what is described in the book.

At IPMS Toronto Barbakan Youtube channel you can find a lot of interesting videos. In the filters video they explain the different options (self made, already made), how to prepare them, use them, etc. In the washes video they again explain the different options (self made, already made), how to prepare them, use them, etc. In the streaking effects video they do again the same.

They also have a few videos on Rinaldi such as his oil painting technique, hairspray technique, and one of his clinics.

You can also watch Rinaldi's AFV Painting and Weathering Workshop at MosonShow 2017 and Rinaldi's Civilian/Gundam Painting and Weathering Workshop at MosonShow 2017. Don't let you fool the Civilian/Gundam Painting and Weathering Workshop because it is the same technique he applies for AFV.

Hope you can learn a lot and enjoy at the same time.

If you are on a budget maybe you can have a look at the videos and then decide which book would be more valuable to you.

I would also recommend that you think a little bit before you start buying the "wonder products" for the different effects since most of the times you can make them by yourself. Another thing is if you find them more convenient than having to prepare them by yourself. I would also recommend that you see the products on the flesh because for example I don't like AK Interactive Dust Effects since it is a grey color which in my opinion doesn't imitate dust.

Regards,
Angel

I have books from all the authors you mentioned and my personal favorite are Rinaldi titles. TankArt deals almost exclusively with painting and weathering, showing the process in a very easy to understand step-by-step fashion.

Mario

Get them all!!!

Plenty of YT videos from the mentioned book authors also. I have some books from all, but i'm still a crappy modeler/artist.

I guess we're assuming that your focus will be on 1/35 scale?

Yes, 1/35th scale.

Thank you all very much!! I really appreciate your input.