Modelling Scale Figures (Osprey Modelling) [Paperback]

Mark Bannerman (Author)

Book Description

Series: Osprey Modelling | Publication Date: July 22, 2008

Adding a figure to a kit or a vignette can really bring it to life - yet building and painting figures continues to be a source of frustration to many modelers, with the results all too disappointing. However, help is at hand. The aim of this book is to equip the average modeller with techniques to successfully complete a figure from start to finish, and provides clear and easy to follow instructions on how to select, prepare, assemble, modify and paint realistic figures. Aimed particularly at the beginner and intermediate figure modelers, both those starting out in the hobby and those returning to it, it begins with a round-up of the range of figures available, a discussion of scale, and the tools and materials you need to get going. It then moves to exposing general construction and painting techniques, in clear, easy to master, step-by-step tutorials that will increase confidence and develop better technique. Then, using the four most popular historical periods as a framework (Medieval, Napoleonic, the American Civil War, and the modern era), it covers a wide range of individual techniques, such as showing how to paint clothing, body armor, camouflage patterns, flesh tones, weapons and equipment, and how to work in different scales - providing the reader with a veritable arsenal of artistic techniques, almost all of which can be applied to other periods and subjects. Special effects, such as weathering clothing, and adding key accessories and details are also covered in the step-by-step photographic tutorials. If you want to improve your figure modeling skills, it's a book you shouldn't be without, covering everything you need to help you model figures the right way.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Modelling Scale Figures offers tips and techniques to both beginners as well as experienced modelers who may believe their skills have reached a plateau... Unlike other figure modeling books on the market, Modelling Scale Figures uses full-color images throughout. Bannerman has an easygoing, conversational style that...is accessible to everyone." -Tim Kidwell, Model Retailer (January 2009)

"If you are like me, you can only hope to do as well as these artists, for artists they truly are. This book is really a superb reference for those of us who want to sharpen our skills and provides a number of ways to achieve that goal. A book you'll be referring to many times over."-Scott Van Aken, modelingmadness.com (July 2008).

"This is the best modeling book for beginning figure painters that I have read in years. Sharp photography and thorough, yet concise, descriptions will allow the new painter to achieve good results the first time out."--Dave Youngquist, Michigan Toy Soldier, W. Britains, and Old Northwest Trading Company  

About the Author

Mark J. Bannerman has been modeling for many years, with a long-standing interest in Allied armor of World War II and figure painting. He was born in 1963 and spent many years living abroad, before graduating in 1986 in Business Administration. He now works as a finance manager in the Department of Education in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He is married to Elizabeth, and enjoys travelling, sailing, golf and following European soccer. For the Osprey Modelling series, he has previously authored Modelling Panzer Crewmen of the Heer, Modelling the Matilda Infantry Tank, and Modelling the Churchill Tank. The author lives in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Product Details

• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (July 22, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1846032385
• ISBN-13: 978-1846032387
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 0.3 x 9.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #832,544 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing !, April 8, 2010

By 

Leigh Eaton - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Modelling Scale Figures (Osprey Modelling) (Paperback)

As an armour modeller I bought this book looking to improve my figure modelling skills but I learned nothing from this book.
The chapters on construction seem to skip important steps, and not one figure is actually shown through all the processes from construction to finish.
Three chapters are devoted to painting clothing using essentially the same techniques just different types of paint.
The photos on the cover are deceptive, only one of those figures is somewhat featured in the book the others being gallery pictures of other peoples finished work.
The most aggregious omission in the book is any detail on how to paint faces, faces are the most important part of scale model figures and the hardest to achieve with any realism. Only one chapter deals with faces and this figure is a much larger scale than most figure modellers work in, therefore useless to most of us who work in the common scales.
I learned more about modelling scale figures fromModeling US Armor of World War 2 (Modelling Masterclass) and Shep Paines masterpiece How to Build Dioramas than this book. Dont waste your money.

2.0 out of 5 stars Figure painting, December 19, 2011

By 

tonyo262 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Modelling Scale Figures (Osprey Modelling) (Paperback)

I have to say that this book is a disappointment in terms of providing basic skills from which to build on.
There are numerous web based tutorials on face painting, uniform textures and basic re-working skills many of these tutorials originate from the Author of this title but that are skimmed over in this book.
In fact the whole series of Osprey books seem to be following a pattern of promising so much and delivering lightweight 'information lite' titles. The gallery showcases some stunning examples of figure painting but the background on these is limited to a name check for the modeller and appears to pander to the 'expert masterclass' that blights contemporary model making in all its genres.
If you are a novice figure modeller, then this title offers little solid guidance and is too general in its approach, if you are an experienced modeller, then there are a few nuggets of information but the title really does fall short.
In sharp contrast, Sheperd Paine who writes the foreword, provided much more inspiration and detailed instruction in his now seminal book, 'How to Build Dioramas' (Kalmbach Pub.) which dates from the 1980's.
Shadows, highlight control (i.e. painting white uniforms) and painting eyes are just some of the things Paine addresses in a book which is not directly aimed at figure modeling.
Osprey and the Author have dropped the ball with this one.

4.0 out of 5 stars Getting started in the hobby, May 20, 2011

By 

R. Vargo "Duffer" (Brick, New Jersey USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Modelling Scale Figures (Osprey Modelling) (Paperback)

If your completely new to the hobby of painting scale figures than this book is an excellent introduction. Essentially an overview of the processes involved and the tools and materials that you will need. I found the book to be the key to my moving from thinking about to actually jumping into this hobby. Not such a bad thing if your on the fence.