introduction

With no interruption, MrBlack Publications keeps to release scale modelling books. They added the 17th book of Figure Modelling Series to their product range. As before, this book includes step-by-step articles of award winning models and boxarts by regular contributors and a new guy on board. The printing quality, explanatory texts with color codes and personal recipes , numeric sequence on photos, multiplicity on articles always made the series a worthy and high standard reference for all modelers but this time I have to state that the photo quality is obviously reached to the top.

The book basics are as former books ; A4 size, matt laminated cover and 52 pages.

inside the book

The book includes nine chapters with models from different scales and time periods. This issue is mainly focused on large scale historical busts and 1/35 scale figures from WW I and II. The chapters are;

How to Paint a 90 mm Mounted Napoleonic Figure Using Acrylics : Ernesto Reyes Stalhuth brings us a step-by-step article for assemlying and painting a big scale British heavy cavalryman in Battle of Balaclava, 1854 Crimea. The figure is 90 mm 2nd Dragoons-Royal Scots Greys from Stromtrooper Miniatures. He starts telling about the assembly and how important to make dry-fits for a rider and saddle. Then he explains his painting steps for head, fur cap, coatee, overalls and other elements of unifom in 21 color photos. Next, he describes painting the horse and how to make stains or mottles with toothbrush, airbrush, toothbrush and paint brushs in 12 photos. Article has 4 photos of the final product.

How to Paint Realistic Metal and Fabric Textures on a Large Scale Bust : Anson Chen paints his award winning Nutsplanet 180 mm Gaius Julius Caesar bust. He explains his painting process by his recipes in acylics and oils in his article supported with 7 photos of finished bust. Absolutely a lifelike paintwork.

Painting Two Coats - Painting the RAF Blue-Grey Uniform and Dog’s Coat with Acrylics and Oils : Mike Butler paints Life Miniatures 1/10 scale RAF Fighter Pilot bust as one of 127 New Zealender pilots who fought in Battle of Britain. Supported with 20 photos, he shares how he painted the figure, RAF blue uniform and cocker spaniel dog giving codes for Vallejo and Jo Sonja’s Acrylics.

Painting a Medieval Knight Bust with Different Types of Material Textures and Weathering Effects : A very explanatory text by Jason Zhou for painting Young Miniatures 1/10 scale Templar Knight bust in acrylics and oils. Detailed text to paint face, mantle, tunic, leather parts, metal parts and shield. He shows his greatwork with 6 photos for painting cape, 6 photos for damaged shield and 7 photos for the finished bust. Wounds and scars, blood and sweat effects are perfectly painted and should be seen.

Building and Painting a 1/35 Scale Vignette of a WWI Three-Figure Sniper Team at Gallipoli : Great built and article for me, as I like vignettes and dioramas so much, especially the ones inspired from real photos. Firestorm 35114 is such a nice kit with figures and base depicting Gallipoli snipers inspired from a real photo. Stelios Neofytidis shares his built from start to end. He shows us the kit content, assembly and priming process first in 15 photos. Then 22 photos for figure painting with text in Vallejo color codes and 11 photos for the painted trench vignette.

Painting an Australian Infantry Figure in Acrylics : Another Gallipoli article by Stelios Neofytidis He paints Tommy’s War 54 mm figure and base in Vallejo Acrylics. Text in color codes and 10 photos of the painted scene.

How to Create a Realistic Vignette Using Commercial Figures and Products : Popular contributor of this issue Stelios Neofytidis changes his time period from Gallipoli to World War II and paints Alpine Miniatures 54 mm German figures with a base from Soldiers’ kit. He shares his techniques and color recipes for a German Officer in Pea dot camouflage pattern and NCO in sheepskin coat. He also explains base construction and painting. 27 photos in total.

Painting a WWI British Soldier in Action : MrBlack Studio paints Tommy’s War 54 mm figure Private,1st Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment, Mons 1914 and self-made figure base in acrylics. Starting in how to paint the groundwork, he shares all base, highlight and shadow tones with Vallejo color codes for fleshtones and parts of uniform. Article has 5 photos of the final scene.

How to Create a Realistic Vignette Combining Commercial Figures and the Wedgie of a PzKpfw III Adapted From a Plastic Kit, All Mounted on a Scenic Base : In this article with 7 final scene photos, two modelers create a World War II scene in 1/35 scale. Ryota Sakai explains how he did the groundwork, made a German tank wedgie from a Dragon kit and painted them in Tamiya colors. Toshihiro Sano paints the two Alpine figures in his wet-on-wet technique with enamels giving his color codes. His technique was also explained on his Royal Armoured Corps AFV Crew article in MrBlack Publications World War II Vol.1.

conclusion

It is good to see Figure Modelling No.17 increased the photo quality and added new contributors to the book as the content is substantial again. It looks like an useful and helpful reference for all level painters especially for bust and 1/35 figure World WarI and II painters.

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