Bill Horan's Military Modelling Masterclass [Hardcover]

Bill Horan (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Osprey Masterclass - acclaimed modellers from around the world reveal the secrets and expertise which have made them masters of their chosen fields. Achieve Gold Medal standard with Osprey Masterclass.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Windrow & Greene Publishing (August 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1872004091
• ISBN-13: 978-1872004099
• Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 8.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #378,975 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth its weight in gold, November 15, 2000

By 

E. Rees (Ireland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bill Horan's Military Modelling Masterclass (Hardcover)

It's difficult to quantify Bill Horan's contribution to historical figure modelling. His sculpting and painting set a standard by which other work was judged for at least a decade and this title continues to be a source of inspiration for me six years on. The author's steady improvement over the years (including his early, modest, efforts) is documented, which I found fascinating and should provide a spur to improvement for any dedicated modeller.

This is well written in the author's distinctive style and extensively illustrated with colour photos including a number of step-by-step sequences. In addition to many of Bill's incredible 54mm single figures, vignettes and dioramas there are numerous pictures of the work of other noted miniaturists.

Beginning with a chapter on painting a single stock figure (David Grieve's 100mm Sergeant, 79th Highlanders) the progressive photos clearly show the author's enamel-painting style, complementing the detailed written account and 15 pages showing the work of other artists round off the chapter. Chapter two covers conversion and scratchbuilding, beginning with one of the author's trademark 54mm sculpts (a Confederate infantryman in this case) built from a commercial head, resin parts, wire and putty. The text covers materials, tools and posing before detailing the techniques used. The finished figure (shown approximately four times lifesize in one view) highlights the extremely high finish and just how much additional detail can be achieved at the painting stage. 25 pages of single figures by the author and others finish off the chapter. Chapter three is on vignettes, with a detailed look at the creation of the author's "Fight For The Flag" with 13 pages of additional photos of vignettes rounding out the chapter. Chapter four covers perhaps the most impressive side of figure modelling, dioramas, with an in-depth look at the creation of the noted "Ghosts Of Chillianwallah" and also includes photos of the author's legendary "Last Stand At Gandamak" from 1988. The final chapter is on mounted figures and dioramas with "A Cloud Of Red", an exquisite three-horse vignette depicting the charge of the 16th Lancers at Aliwal, covered in detail. Eight pages of photos of top-notch mounted subjects complete the book. Although only touched on lightly in the text, careful study of the groundwork on the author's pieces will benefit the reader in this under-appreciated area of the hobby.

For anyone interested in figure modelling, an absolute must-have from an acknowledged master.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent comprehensive guide to military modelling!, May 2, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Bill Horan's Military Modelling Masterclass (Hardcover)

Horan reveals his techniques for creating unique military models. He begins with his basic painting methods that are applicable no matter which painting medium is used. He then shows how to sculpt figures using ordinary items such as paper clips and toothpicks. The book then proceeds to the more difficult tasks of creating vinettes and dioramas. The book also includes a wealth of clear color pictures defining all the steps, as well as galleries of the authors (and others) work. This is a very valuable reference!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic, Simply Fantastic, August 19, 2002

By 

B. (Alexandria, VA, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bill Horan's Military Modelling Masterclass (Hardcover)

I read this book over and over. Bill Horan sets a new standard for figure modeling and this book does a wonderful job of showcasing his work. The production qualities of the book are excellent. Most of these photos are incredible. There are many times when I study the photos of Horan's figures, look at my own and say, "How does he do it?"

Which leads me to my only disappointment with this book. While Horan describes his techniques fairly clearly, the descriptions are relatively brief and he discuss use of enamels only.

His painting example is on a 100mm figure. I would love to see a similar section describing painting a 54mm figure as I am curious on how his techniques would vary.

The captions are very good and one can learn much reading them and studying the figures. I also enjoyed Bill's description of his early days in the hobby.

I hope that Bill decides to do another volume. I'll be the first to sign up for it. How about a DVD with a painting clinic too.