introduction

MrBlack Publications added 15th Scale Model Handbook to the Figure Modelling series. Once again, they maintain their high standard with the printing quality and content. The book is in the standard format as the former books - A4 size, matt laminated cover and 52 pages. Besides covering different painting in acrylics and oil painting subjects with color codes or recipes, this issue has two great articles; one for a scratchbuilding and converting figures for a fantasy vignette and the other is a feast for eyes - Masterpieces by Pietro Balloni. Step-by-step presentation in numeric sequence and added texts make them easier to follow and more helpful. Articles are mostly for award winning models or original boxart paintings.

inside the book

The book includes seven chapters with models from different scales and time periods. The chapters are ;

Painting a Large Scale Character Bust from Military History : Man Jin Kim paints 1/9 scale Michael Wittman-Tiger Ace in N ormandy from his own creations. Kit has two head and two head gear options. Artist choose head with feld cap for the article. He starts with the head, then cap and finally leather jacket and insignia. Besides step-by-step painting process photos, he shares his palette on every stage adding text describing his color recipes. 32 in-progress color photos and 8 photos for the finished bust.

Painting a 54 mm Victoria’s Heroes Figure for Box Art with Acrylics and Oils : Juanma Vergara paints Tommy’s War 54 mm figure Captain, the Queens Own Cameron Highlanders at Tel El Kebir 1882. First he describes how he painted the face, continues with the red coat and tartan. Finally he explains how he made the fantastic figure base. 50 step by step photos marked in numbers and 5 photos for the finished model.

Praetorian Guard 1st Century BC : Louis D’Orio shows us the way he painted Pegaso Models 200 mm figure using enamels, acrylics and oils. Descriptive text for each part with color codes and 6 photos for the painted model and Roman shield pattern.

Painting a Scottish WW I 54 mm Figure : Another Tommy’s War figure - Private, 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders, Le Cateau 1914 - 54mm, this time painted by Stelios Neofytidis. He paints in Vallejo Pains and shares his color choices for each part of figure. 4 photos for the painted figure.

Painting a Native American Bronze Skin with Battle Paint Using Acrylics & Oils : Sergey Popovichenko paints Stormtroopers 150 mm bust Bear Clan Iroquois. 15 photos on how he painted the flesh tones and war paint. 3 photos for the finished bust. He describes every step of his process in short texts.

Be Inspired by an Italian Master Modeler : Portfolio of a True Master. In this article,Pietro balloni explains his painting method and shares photos of his masterpieces painted for boxarts of Pegaso Models ; Lü Bu, Boadicca Queen of Iceni, Indizuna Zulu, Montezuma, Teutonic Grand Master, Maya Warrior, Ronin, Highland Warrior and Livonian Knight. Excellent photos of amazing pieces.

How to Create a Fantasy Vignette Using Commercial Kits and Epoxy Putty : Javier Gonzales (Arsies) brings a well detailed step by step article for scratchbuilt conversion for a 75 mm spiderman figure and 100 mm Hulk figure. 42 photos for how he converted Hulk to Rhino using putty and a final scene photo. Painting process is not explained in this article.

conclusion

The book is again a great reference for all painters and price is reasonable like a monthly magazine. Quality and profitability of this series proved itself both for new and experienced modelers.

Highly Recommended

Stelios Demiras always states he will be pleased to hear feedback and suggestions to add new articles due to readers demand on next issues. Please don’t hesitate to send your opinions to him by e-mail to [email protected] or visit at MrBlack Publications –Facebook