Introduction

Besides diorama books and theme series, MrBlack Publications keeps to release handy figure painting books with no interruption. They added the 23rd 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 two new contributors. 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 my favorite articles are the ones about painting diorama or vignette bases.

Review

As usual, the book is in A4 format with a laminated cover and 52 pages.

The book offers 7 articles from Ancient times to World War II with tips and techniques on painting and weathering including color codes used for figures in different scales.

Articles are;

Painting a WWI Diorama for Box Art Using Acrylics & Enamels : Book starts in a very nice SBS article by Man Jin Kim. He shares his paintwork for Tommy’s War 54 mm six figure set Gassed inspired by an oil painting depicting British soldiers suffered gas attacks in World War I. After a short intro and assembly part, he explains painting the figures and scenic groundwork in 60 photos in numeric sequence supported with short notes and 9 photos for the final scene.

Painting a Full Figure of a WWII Personality in 1/16 Scale Using Acrylic Paints : A short article with 7 photos by Christos Katselos. He paints Life Miniatures 120 mm Max Wünsche, Kharkov 1943 figure with a Tiger I hull giving Vallejo codes for fleshtones, Ushanka hat, sheepskin coat, trousers, leather belt and Tiger I hull figure base

Creating an Eye-Catching Historical Vignette by Improving Commercial Pieces with Some Scratch Building Techniques : Allan Yong creates a 54 mm historical vignette -Viking Raid using 3 figures on his self-made turf house base. 10 photos for the assembly and composition, 6 photos for turf house, 15 photos for figures and 4 photos for the finished scene. Color codes and recipes are given for skintones, Viking clothing and shields.

Creating an Eye-Catching Small Diorama in Winter Terrain Combining Commercial Kits, Figures and Material : A nice step-by-step feature by Selu Casanova for World War II diorama enthusiasts. He starts telling how he weathered white washed Schwimmwagen in 13 photos supported with a detailed text. 33 photos for building section, metal garden fence, herbs and shrubs, snow and mud effects. No SBS photos are given for painting ofthe figures but Vallejo color colors are given with close-up photos of the painted figures. 6 photos for the diorama scene.

The book continues in 3 short articles with photos of finished figures by 3 different painters. Articles include detailed texts for painting steps with acrylic color codes and artists’ mixtures.

Painting a Medieval Knight Templar Using Acrylics Paints &Vallejo Metal Color : Zacharias Andriopoulos paints Pegaso Models 75 mm figure A Knight in the Holy Land, XII Century. 8 photos for painted figure from all angles.

Painting a 75mm British Artilleryman Using Acrylics : Stelios Neoftydis shares his base colors, highlights and shadows in Vallejo colors for Model Cellar 75 mm World War I British Artilleryman with 8 photos for the figure and close-ups of figure base.

Painting an Interesting Historical Theme from the Greek Revolution Using Acrylic Colours : Theo Georgiadis paints Athens Miniatures 54 mm figure Greek Freedom Fighter 1821. Nice painting ofthe fur coat and gold embroidery. 7 photos for the finished figure.

Conclusion

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 includes articles for painting and weathering scenic bases and a WW II vehicle. Once again, it is a useful and helpful reference for all level modelers.

For more information and photos about all products of company ; please visit MrBlack Publications