Introduction

We all try to get a paint job on our models that will add interest, and we have heard of color modulation, zenith and other methods of applying paint. A new book from Ammo by Mig Jimenez may be just the ticket. This new book, Modulation & Light Techniques, covers different methods of painting your models to add that great visual interest.

Book

Modulation & Light Techniques – English Edition
By Javier Soler
Concept By Mig Jimenez
104 pages, soft cover
ISBN: 978-84-943198-4-6

Review

Modulation & Light Techniques is one of the latest books coming out of Ammo by Mig Jimenez. The book states on the cover: “A complete guide with 4 techniques to create light effects and volume in military vehicles and dioramas”. Opening the soft cover book, you will find 104 well printed pages on glossy paper, and there is plenty of color. The book provides different painting methods and there are plenty of images to support the text, and provide a visual guide. The text is very well written and informative.

The book is broken down into five chapters:

Styles and Color Theory – Basic info about the color
Zenithal Light – Light from above
Color Modulation – Gradient light in each shape
Illumination by Panel – Plain color for each panel
Spotlight Technique – Strong light focused in one point

The book starts with an explanation of the different methods that will be detailed in the book and a brief discussion of color theory. The section on color theory does a good job of describing some of the basic of colors, to include contrast, color interaction, and more. This is a good read for those that may not have had exposure to this information in the past.

The book then goes through how to apply the different methods in detail, each in its own chapter. Each method is broken down into a step by step procedure that is easy to follow and includes lots of helpful photographs to illustrate the points. The layout of the text and images make the methods look very easy to replicate. Each chapter focuses on single build painting with a specific color or colors, but it does reference other color and camouflage schemes in some sidebar discussions. While the book is from Ammo and does reference Ammo paints, there is discussion of mixing colors, so the methods could be applied with any paint brand.

Included in each section is how to complete the weathering based on the lighting method chosen. This section includes the use of filters, washes, and other weathering techniques. The sections on weather for each method really do show how weathering can add to the lighting effect applied.

The book even goes beyond the vehicle to the diorama. In the last chapter on using the spotlight method, not only does it cover the vehicle, but shows how to use the technique on the diorama as well. This shows that painting goes beyond the model, and is very informative.

There is nothing in the book that I could find fault with, it is in my opinion, a well written and informative book on the use of different painting methods to add interest to the vehicle. The book would be great for beginners and novice model makers alike, and those maybe just learning to airbrush. And the book would be good for more skilled modellers, as it does include a few little tricks to learn.

Conclusion

Overall this is a great new book from Ammo by Mig, and very informative. The book does an excellent job of describing and showing how to use different methods of achieving visual interest. The inclusion of the weathering methods for each method is also very informative. Having read the book it has taught an old dog a few new trick, and it will now find a spot next to the work bench and referred to often, this book is highly recommended.