introduction

MrBlack Publications managed to publish another useful and worthy guide book for painters of all levels. They released one more issue specialized on World War I and II including award winning models by well known modelers. Figure Modelling Handbook Series No.21 is focused on 54 and 120 mm figures and 1/10 scale busts. Since the beginning, the series has a high level printing and photo quality.

The book basics are company standard ; A4 size, matt laminated cover and 52 pages.

inside the book

Including 9 different articles - five on WWI and four on WWII, the book provides lots of tips and techniques about painting miniature figures, busts and creating vignettes.

Toshihiro Sano paints Stormtrooper Miniatures 120 mm Untersturmführer Reifkogel,Kharkov 1943 using Tamiya enamels and turpentine to thin the paint. When he is satisfied with painting of a particular area, he protects his work with a flat clear or semi gloss varnish. First, he prepares the base covering with epoxy, making foot prints and adding some accessories. Next, he shares his painting process with step by step photos and explanatory text with color codes. 14 photos for face, 34 photos for clothing, 18 for the base, 6 for the painted figure. 4 photos for painting the cigarette is a nice detail on this article.

Once again, Toshihiro Sano paints in enamels but this time a 1/10 scale bust of WW I British Ace Pilot James McCudden from Hawk Miniatures. After a short historical note, he explains his work in 16 photos in numbers and descriptions. 5 photos of the finished bust.

Another article on using enamels and oils by a new contributor David Zabrocki. He paints 54 mm Tommy’s War Major of the Royal Field Artillery on Somme 1916. 32 photos and a very detailed text for painting the figure and base and 3 for the final. A nice article to read.

Painting a large scale bust in acrylics by Christos Katselos. He paints Life Miniatures 1/10 scale German 8th Army, Stalingrad 1942. 6 photos for the painted bust and Vallejo color codes for each part.

A nice vignette from Toshihiro Sano of AC Models 54 mm World War I German Stretcher Team. He tries a new thinner Winsor & Newton’s distilled turpentine for enamels. 28 step by step photos supported with an explanatory text including Tamiya color codes and 5 photos of the finished vignette.

Stelios Neofytidis paints Alpine Miniatures 1/35 scale Waffen SS Grenadier on Black Dog resin base. First, he explains how he painted the scenery with brick wall, stone column and wooden fence giving Vallejo color codes. Then shares his steps on the figure. 5 photos for the base, 4 for the figure and 8 for the painted figure.

The book continues by 2 short article for Young Miniatures 1/10 scale busts.

Christos Katselos starts with a historical note and short review of World War II Russian Cossack. Besides sharing Vallejo color codes for face, uniform, fur cap, he also gives recipes for painting leather, canvas, wooden and metal parts of PPSh41 machine gun.

A fantastic face painting by regular contributor Ernesto Reyes Stalhuth. He paints World War I German Stormtrooper in Vallejo acrylics and Andrea inks sharing his recipes. All textures are very nice painted on the bust. Unfortunately, only 4 photos of the final.

Last article of the book is from Stelios Demiras - MrBlack Studio who makes great effort to publish scale model handbook series. So good to see he paints great and shares his experience. He paints Tommy’s War 54 mm Private London Scottish at Messines 1914. After a historical note and brief info about the construction of base and figure, he gives his color mixes. 10 photos for nice painted figure and realistic groundwork.

conclusion

Another nice and handy book for modelers of all levels. This book is really informative for painting 54 and 120 mm figures and busts from World War I and II.

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