Customer Reviews

Modelling and Painting Figures (Modelling Manuals)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book focused on building figures from scatch, adjusting poses on existing kit figures, assembly, and painting. I was most interested in the subject of painting but I found that the information was too little and of insufficient detail to be of any real help. Much better books on the subject include: How to Paint Realistic Military Figures by Lynn Kessler, and How to Build Dioramas by Sheperd Paine.

Lee

I found this book a little too general, for my taste. The most useful part are the scale diagrams of human proportions towards the front of the book. I like the pictures of other people's work--that's where the figure modeler can learn the most. I wish they had a few more close-up photos of how to sculpt different materials: cotton, skin, wool, leather, wood, metal. I don't know about every book out there, but my copy is printed rather off-register and that seriously limits the photographic fidelity.

Don't waste your money. There are good modelling books out there. This is just not one of them. The approach is too varied. There are several pages of photos and sequences on modelling a sci-fi figure in 1/48 scale. The figure is grotesquely proportioned and the scale and topic chosen does not sit well with the other historical themes which then proceed to take over the entire book.
This is then followed by another modelling exercise based on modifying plastic commercial parts to make a WWI pilot. I swear that the left foot on the finished figure is longer than the right foot.
Towards the end of the book, there is an extended sequence on painting a figure with acrylics.
Between these three chapters, there are a few proportional charts showing scale reductions of the human figure and some nice pictures of commericially available figures. That's it!
The coverage on real modelling is just not there - this book appears to be just an excuse to showcase some commercial European figures suitable for painting.

This book is a very good read for both figure modellers and painters.The writer writes in a clear style and lays out the subject matter in an easy to follow manner. The topics include commonly used scales and proportionality of the human body, modelling human figures up to and including painting the finished figure. I especially liked the-all colour picture format and the inclusion of works by the likes of Julian Hullis and the Andreas brothers. All in all an enjoyable read and a worthy addition to any modeller's library

Overall the book is pretty good - a bit surprising considering its small size.

The book focuses on modeling figures, with less space devoted to painting. Converting and building from scratch is covered, in various scales and using different materials. Text is accompanied by many pictures - small, but clear and helpful.

Painting is described using acrylics, mixed from generic colors. Each time color variations are shown, giving a good idea of how to mix intermediate hues. Lack of reference to premixed colors by any paint manufacturer is good - makes it easy to apply for everyone.

The book suffers a bit because of small size - photos are smallish and there is relatively little text. I personally found text a bit too short in places, esp. painting feels not explained in depth. But overall it's a very decent effort, covering a lot of ground, and doing it well.