Customer Reviews

F.A.Q.: Frequently Asked Questions on AFV Painting Techniques (Modelling Manuals)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

To put it very simply, this is THE book on how to finish your armor models like one of the best modelers in the world. (Note: These are predominently techniques seen in International competitions and not as commonly used by North American AMPS/IPMS members - that is a purely observational opinion not intended to offend anyone). Oustandingly comprehensive book from setting up our work area to dissecting each and every element of painting & weathering on an AFV, (this is not a book on how to modify, glue parts together or super detail your model) - the main focus is finishes, which is what I was looking for. Each page is filled with superb detail shots in step-by-step format with short captions for each process. The lack of more text does not bother me in the least, the photos are very clear as to what is happening. Mig's skill level, passion and dedication to his craft and company are extremely inspiring. If you only could own one book this is the one to have. My hat's off to you Mig, well done my friend!

Up until now Tony Greenland's book "Panzer Modeling" was the one book I pulled out when I start a new AFV. Mig's Book F.A.Q. will now sit on my workbench for a long time. This book is to be used as a reference anytime you are looking for a step-by-step way to paint anything from an Ammo Crate to an entire Tank! It's definitely worth the $ Dollars spent. My book was advertised as a hardcover from an Amazon retailer but came to me as a soft cover. This book will probably never see my bookshelf and is made to sit next to you as you work.
Great Job Mig!

This is a very good book and worth the money. However, there were some choices made in the writing that were, in my opinion, the wrong ones. The problem is this; a picture is worth a thousand words but words are valuable to. Mr Jimenez is an outstanding modeler and has pioneered a lot of the hyper-realistic techniques of filters and washes spreading throughout the hobby. However, many of the subtleties of his technique really need some explanation and guidance. This book doesn't do a great job with this. Written descriptions are short and sparse with a focus on step by step photos. The problem is, many of the techniques are very dificult to follow without captions. Had the photos had captions with them, this book would probably be the best armor book out there today, finally providing a complete successor to Shep Paine's and Verlinden's classics. Without them, the book is full of inpiration but also a fair amount of frustration in adding these tools to one's own toolbox.

If Tony Greenland's book set the standard for building AFV's then Mig's "FAQ" has just set the standard for finishing AFV's. Like the title suggests, Mig lays out basicly everything you would want or need to know (and then some!) about different finishing techniques in this book. From what tools and materials are used, to tips on how to paint and prepare groundwork, and everything in between. The book is printed on nice, heavy stock glossy paper, it's laid out well, and the pictures are nothing short of gorgeous. I have heard one person who bought the book complain that there wasn't enough text to explain things, but the pictures more than speak for themselves and it is easy to see what Mig is explaining. To conclude, if you build AFV's get this book, I'm sure you will find yourself referring to it very often.

For someone who is trying model building for the first or for the seasoned professional model builder, this book is a must have.
Easy to follow photographic references and step-by-step instructions on everything from model construction, painting, detailing and diorama building.
A bit pricey, but well worh the investment. I have been a fan of Mig Jimenez' work for some time now, and I know after reading this book Mig will have many more fans.
Just a side note, this book is a translated text, and thus some of the wording is a bit awkward, but still very easy to follow.

I am a former armor and military aircraft modeler and so I know to go to forums and resources that most railroad modelers don't begin to think of exploring.

I found MIG's book a treasure trove of techniques for my railroad modeling. Granted, I will have to use his technique descriptions as inspiration rather than recipes. Most freight cars in the era I model were an oxide red and most steam locomotives were black, so the use of base olive drab and panzer gray...and the colors used to filter, fade, rust and enhance them would be different too.

But I have never seen a railroad modeling magazine article or how-to book describe filters or mapping. And yet the possibilities for these techniques in railroad model weathering are huge.

This book may get me back into armor modeling too, but for now, it is a treasured resource for my railroad modeling!

Sure it's spendy, but you will spend countless hours drooling over this book by one of the premier modellers in the world right now. As mentioned, every facet of AFV modeling is covered in this publication. From equipment to the process of painting the entire vehicle, groundwork, accessories, etc.

Do not expect a lot of text to be included with this books. The techniques are covered with high quality color shots. Did I mention all the pictures in this book are color?

Just don't forget to add a bib to your order when you get this.

After having been away from the armor modelling hobby for three decades, I recently returned to find there has been an explosion of after-market tools, upgrades, paints, pigments, filters, washes and other techniques for making models more realistic. One of the big changes is pigments, and the guru of them is Mig Jimenez. His book outlines all the major ways of weathering and aging plastic kits, as well as some minor techniques.

The book is filled with great illustrations that really show the materials, processes and results, and is very easy to follow. My one quibble would be the accompanying text, which often leaves out the physical steps, requiring the reader to draw their own conclusions about how the magic is performed. My recommendation would be to supplement the book with Mig's DVD (so far only available in PAL format and therefore watchable only on a personal computer or European-formatted DVD player). The DVD shows how these techniques are accomplished in a step-by-step manner.

As the old saying goes, "if you buy only one modelling technique book, this is the one to buy."

Great book, I doubt anyone who bought it ended up seriously disappointed.

Here's what's inside:
30 pages of introductions
15 pages of intro to techniques
15 pages on construction techniques
100 pages on painting
20 pages on groundwork and misc.
70 pages of model photos (gallery)

Book follows Internet FAQ format - series of questions and answers. Answers typically comprise of very short text (2-3 sentences) and number of clear color photos (typically 3-4, sometimes more). Each question deals with a particular technique, showing how to achieve very specific effect.

As you can see, the book deals with painting, and nothing else. The "15 pages on construction techniques" describe creating proper texture (cast metal parts) and battle damage - not actual kit construction.

Format makes the book not very accessible to beginners. There is very little step by step explanation, readers are largely left to choose which techniques to use,and understand it's nuances. It's much easier for intermediate / advanced modelers, who will know which techniques they want to incorporate into their process. Not all is lost however, as there is a "question" in the book, describing suggested workflow for particular camo type. For example, when making a model of "single tone green tank", we're to perform these steps:
* green base color
* filters
* fading
* washes
* running rusty chips
* pre-dusting
* watermarks
* dry mud
* spilled fuel
* crew footprints
Each of these steps is described in a separate "question", so it's a matter of applying these.

Although the book feels heavy, and is packed with nice color photos, I've found that when it comes to learning particular technique, reader is left with few lines of text and few photos. In some cases it's enough, in others I wished for more. You should therefore count on having to stare at the photos, think about the technique and try it on scrap plastic, before attempting to use it on the model.

Despite the "Q&A" format, I'd recommend reading the book front to back initially. The less familiar you are with armor modeling, the more important it is. Some advice is simply buried in places that might not be very obvious, and reading the whole book first helps.

From what I wrote above it might seem that the book is not perfect, and that is certainly true. Format has its advantages, but can also be confusing. I decided that the book is well worth 5 stars however, despite its shortcomings.

Miguel Jimenez, while taking his modeling skills to the next level in realism, has defined and described a number of ground-breaking techniques. English-speaking reader can learn most of them at Rarities World section of ML, but in this book they're explained in a more visual way.

There is also no other book that describes modern approach to armor modeling. At least not to my knowledge.

My recommendation - buy it. I don't know of any other book on the market that will teach you painting techniques described in this one.

... as this books shows a miriad of useful tricks you can use to make your AFV models much more realistic.

Despite of this, some more advanced modellers can be a little frustrated as, once you've completed a dozen or so of kits, mostly of what is said in this book can be considered "obvious" for you.

Anyway, pictures that ilustrate the step-by-step painting processes are of great quality and a pleasure for you eyes!

Regarding to this, it seems to me that almost 30% of the book is auto-promotion. At least, that's how I feel when almost one third of the book is dedicated to pictures of finished models by Miguel Jiménez.

Best regards from Spain

José Carlos