introduction

MrBlack Publications keeps to release figure modelling books periodically, they lately added the 18th book to the series. As in former issues, this book includes step-by-step articles of award winning models and boxarts by great modelers. With its high printing quality, explanatory texts with color codes and personal recipes , ease on understanding with numeric sequence on photos, multiplicity on articles; this will be another worthy and high standard reference for all modelers.

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

inside the book

Including eight chapters with models from different scales and time periods, this issue is mainly focused on 1/35 scale figures and large scale busts from World War I and II. The chapters are;

Painting a Roman Gladiator Figure as a Comission Using Acrylics and Oil Colors : Sergey Popovichenko paints Pegaso Models 90 mm Thracian Gladiator in Maimeri Acrylics and Master Class oils. He starts telling about the assembly, preparation and priming and continues to describe his painting process. First, he paints the Roman shield with scorpion designs, then flesh tones, cloth parts and finally metal armor, crest and figure base. Article includes 51 step bystep photos in numerical sequence supported with detailed text including color codes and 6 photos of the finished figure.

Step by step Painting of a Scratch-built Mounted Colorful Figure Using Acrylics and Oils : Roberto Ramirez Gutierrez paints a mounted figure of Corporal Vicente Manzano, Dragoon Regiment Pavia, Ontigola 1809 sculpted by Antonio Zapatero Guardini using Feroca epoxy putty. 43 photos for painting process of the horse and figure, 8 photos for the final scene. The artist shares his color palette for acrylics and oils.

How to Paint a Large Scale Bust of a Real Person : Qianwei Shi shares his award winning bust of Life Miniatures -1/9 scale Sir Winston Churchill from Life Miniatures. He explains his method of painting face, hair and clothing in Citadel paints. 4 photos of painted bust.

Painting Realistic Personalities in Miniature with Acrylics : A great article by Mike Butler. He paints Wings Cockpit 54 mm figure of Oswald Boelcke, WW I Early War German Ace in Jo Sonja’s and Vallejo’s paints. First he explains how to make a wet palette in 5 photos and then tells how to paint two alternative faces for the figure in all details with 22 photos. 15 photos for painting leather and fur and 6 photos for the fully painted figure. At the end of the article, he tells about how to take photos of the finished models with 3 photos. Useful article for all.

Painting an Imperial German Air Service Pilot and a Mechanic in 54 mm : Another WW I Aviation figures article. This time 54 mm Model Cellar German Airmen by Stelios Neofytidis. 4 photos for each figure, 1 reference photo, 1 for the base and 8 photos for the final scene supported with a text full of Vallejo color codes.

How to Paint a Black Panzer Uniform and Black Leather in Oil Colors and Tamiya Enamels : Toshihiro Sano brings us a well detailed article on painting Alpine Miniatures 1/35 scale Waffen SS AFV Crew. He starts in telling about his painting style and continues with the face painting in 11 photos telling all mixes for base, shadows and highlight tones. 23 photos for Panzer jacket and trousers. Then he shares how to make and paint the figure base and add foliage in 14 photos. 7 photos for the final scene.

Painting a WW I Large Scale Bust of a Real Person Using Enamels : Another article by Toshihiro Sano . This time he paints a great sculpt by Carl Reid - Hawk Miniatures 180 mm British Flying Ace Edward Corringham “Mick” Mannock in Tamiya Enamels. He shares his painting with codes in 15 step by step photos and 3 finished bust photos.

Painting a 75 mm British Soldier of the First World War : Last article of the book is again by the regular contributor Stelios Neofytidis for his award winning Model Cellar British Trench Raider figure. He tells his Vallejo color codes on painting skin tones, uniform, gear and figure base. 4 small photos for the base and 6 photos of the painted figure.

conclusion

With Figure Modelling 18, MrBlack Publications published another useful handbook again keeping his photo quality, substantial text content and adding new contributors habit. I am glad to see this issue is dominantly includes military articles for WW I and II, unlike first issues were mainly historical. to the book as the content is substantial again. Once again, it is a 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