Hi to all in this great world of ours ,
Following on from Stelios's original announcment of the release of Vol 5 in the series from Mr Black Publications http://www.planetfigure.com/threads/scale-model-handbook-5-figure-modelling-5-is-out.52710/

Its my pleasure to spend a couple of hours doing the review for him .

This time its Volume No 5 , the other 4 are proving to be a great addition to my reference library

The links to the other 4 I have reviewed are below:

Vol 1 : http://www.planetfigure.com/threads/scale-model-handbook-1-figure-modelling-1.46172/watch-confirm

Vol 2 : http://www.planetfigure.com/threads/scale-model-handbook-figure-modelling-2.48080/watch-confirm

Vol 3 : http://www.planetfigure.com/threads/scale-model-handbook-volume-3-from-mr-black-publications.51044/watch-confirm

Vol 4:http://www.planetfigure.com/threads...rom-mr-black-publications.52178/watch-confirm

..the question is will No 5 be a much looked at volume

What are we looking at then:

Title: Scale Model Handbook 5

Published by: Mr Black Publications

Editor : Stelios Demiras

Proof Reading by : Ken Jones

Artwork by: Maria Dimou

ISBN: 2241-1054

Price: 14.95 euro's plus shipping

Contents include 8 articles all with full colour pictures (except the sculpting article)


Officer of the Tsar’s Guard Russia, 1830 – 75mm.


‘Hajduk’ Serbian War of Independence – 75mm.


Addih-Hiddisch- 120mm.


Attila, King of the Huns, A.D. 451 – 54mm.

Australian “Digger”, Kokoda Trail c.1942 – 180m

Sculpting a German Reversible Winter Parka – 50mm.


Sgt Connor, Serpentian Heavy Infantry – 54mm.


Sergeant Bernard Mc Cabe, Sobraon, 1846 – 120mm.



Contributors:
MikeButler, Fernando Ruiz Ceano, Javier González (Arsies), Grigoris Marmatakis, Aleksander Michelotti, Ernesto Reyes Stalhuth, Aleksander Zelenkov.

A4 Format (21cm X28 cm)

52 pages

Matt Laminate card covers

Initial thoughts after a quick flick through before I read it cover to cover is that Vol 5 is well on a par wiith the others in the series .

Colour representation is really very good , clear with a strong presebce in the articles . the text is easily read and contains a mass of information on techniques and mixes used including prep before you even pick up a brush .

The book is endorsed (as are the others) by Pegaso so its obviously a series that they are more than happy to be associated with .

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As in previous reviews lets have alook at the articles individually :

Firstly : Officer ofthe Tsar's Guard 1830

Using a Pegaso figure which ooozes quality the author Alexander take sus through the way he prepped up the pices including comments about holding the figure when painting , this article covers painting Red . Metal and Leather and also involves using Printers inks .

Masking is also very important and he highlights the use of this medium in protecting the base etc ...good details particularly when painting metallics.

Also in the article are information on the use of different types of acrylics (well have'nt we all got lots of pots everywhere!!!) .

Painting of armour is covered , flesh painting is also included , I particularly was interested in the painting of Reds and leather area's .

The article covers a total of 11 pages all packed with full colour pictures including SBS pictures and full page ones of the completed figure.

Great start to the book

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Moving on now to article 2 this time its written by Grigoris the subject being

"Hajduk" Serbian War of Independence

Again a Pegaso figure is used this time the author combines both Acrylics and Oils to obtain the finished model , he also includes the use of Vallejo's Game Clour and Mig pigments together with making full use of the Andrea Paint sets ..

Of interest to me was the way he tackled the whites always a hard thing to do , as in article one Reds are also covered but acheiving a different finish (less parade finish as in article 1) ...all very informative. .

Also covered is the painting of the weapons again all veru useful to even the more experienced modeller .

The article covers a total of 3 full pages with 2 of them having full colour views on them of the completed figure .

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Article 3 is one that features on the cover of the book this time its an American Indian Chief namely:

Addih-Hiddisch

The article uses this time a superb figure from the Stormtroopers range and is produced by our very own Ernesto , again using various painting mediums including Model Colour and Printers Inks , he also includes the useof a valuable tool......the Dremel . . to remove casting blocks .

Indian flesh colouring often causes problems when painting a figure ..Ernesto has provided a veritable chapter on this and how he approaches it .

Our subject has mant tattoos and this is also covered very well , these can be often over worked on some subjects , the author has achieved a great level of detail on these .

Fur is also covered , how the effect is achieved .

Groundwork is also so important to the final presentation and this is also coveredin depth .

The article covers a total of 8 pages of which 7 are in full colour

Great colour mixes throughout (as in all articles with the exception of the sculpting one)

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Article 4 uses a subject that is so well known , this time its using a model produced by Art Girona and is written by Fernando .

Attila , King of the Huns AD 451g

The aim of this article isto look at and enhance the character of the subject , his ruggedness and that "look" he has , arms folded together, determinedand powerful ...has this been achieved ...most definately YES.

He paints fleshwork in a very distinctive style which matches the figure's attitude perfectly , materials used include Model Colour and game Colour both by Vallejo .

The painting of the fur cloak is perfect and so well described , this together with the amazing groundwork produces a figure that is so distinctive and results in a cracking piece , all of which is highlighted by the author using recurring tones throughout .

The article covers a total of 4 pages ( 1 full page in colour the others have colour on them , 1 being details of the paints used ).

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Article No 5 is my type of model ..its a bust !!!!!

Using a great bust from AC Models of a battle hardened soldier namely

Australian "Digger" Kokoda Trail c 1942

This is a subject that crys out for a very distinctive style of painting to present the fatigue and sweating that happened when fighting in the hell hole of the Kokoda trail .

The aim of the article is mainly looking at Textures and Body hair , thsi is penned and painted by another member of PF "Mike the Kiwi" ...he has achieved an amazing amount of wonderful effects including sweat dripping ...great

Full colour mixes are included for the flesh which is pallid and covered in sores and minor wounds ...does he succeed ...a veritable and loud YES .

Painting of the body hair is also included ..details of this has gone into my many notebooks ....thanks Mike .

Also covered is the painting of the Bren Gun ...all very impressive indeed .

Although the article only has 2 pages (1 which is in full colour) the amount of information is spot on ...lets hope we see more from Mike in future books .

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Our next article No 6 is a complete departure from the others in this and previous books its a sculpting article ,written by Alexander , this time concentrating on:

Sculpting a German Reversible Parka (using a 50mm figure from Stalingrad figures ).

I will never be a sculptor but was inspired by this article , it has only concentrated on the parka ..why ..quite simply because if it did the whole figure the whole books would be this1 article I feel .

Materials used include A+B putty , vaseline , lead foil etc

The article is literally a total SBS on working with sculpting putty's . using wire armature , the use of sculpting tools , the placing of the mixed putty prior to actually forming it to the required shape ..

Producing folds and fit of pouches and the effect they have on materials are also included .

The article has a total of 8 full pages absolutely crammed with SBS pictures , this article made a refreshing change to all the painted articles and was most welcome to your reviewer.

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Article 7 nows uses a figure from Andrea and is :

Sgt Conner , Serpentian Heavy Infantry

Written by Javier , using his incredible knowledge of NMM (Non Metallic Metals) he produces an absolutely stunning figure , using Model Colour and Air Colur together with Citadel paints .

He gives a complete listing of all colours used , and in particular the use of 'bluechrome' on fantasy figures ...the result is so effective its frightning !!!!!

I am not a fantasy painter but I love this article in particular .....a great result by using the techniques described .

Javier also includes the painting of Sgt Conners face ...nice contrast to all that NMM

The article has a total of 6 full pages all have colour (3 are full page pictures)

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The final article moves back to the military uniform and uses another figure from Stormtroopers :

Sgt Bernard Mc Cabe , Sobraon, 1st Sikh War 1846

The figure depicts the Sgt in the act of winning his his commisiom holding the regimental colours and leading on his men

The article is written again by Javier , what a subject he has chosen and what a fitting end to the publication , in the article Javier uses an airbrush together with brushses , using various acrylics includng Model Colour and Air Colour , the airbrush he uses is an Iwata one .

Painting of the very dark blue trousers together with the battle worn jacket and of course the bullet riddle colour he carrys in his hand.

Proving that even top painters are human , he was "reminded " that cheverons needed to be painted ...not an easy job but as he says he got away with it !!!!

A very informative article as usual , the painting of the colour is of particular interest , as painting large area's of resin often causes problems .

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My final thoughts on this book:

Another well produced publication fromMr Black , the articles are varied and informative , colour representation and readability of the text are very good throughout .

The series has developed into a great series of top class painting (and now sculpting) articles , all which provide a platform and showcase for all to display and sharetheir skills .

All articles are well written and enjoyable ..a pleasure to review and share with all of you .

What wil be next in Volume 6 ...we shall have to wait and see .

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

the books can be got from the following :

USA:
http://www.michtoy.com/item-MBP SMHFM5-Scale_Model_Handbook_Figure_Modeling_5.html

UK
Historex of course in addition to :

Bookworld Wholesale: http://www.bookworldws.co.uk/scale-model-handbook-figure-modelling-p-5711.html

El Greco Miniatures: http://www.elgrecominiatures.co.uk

Arcane Miniatures: http://www.arcaneminiatures.co.uk/m...arch_form=Scale Model handbook&Go=Go&ID=36764

Germany
Berliner Zinnfiguren: http://www.zinnfigur.com/product_in...language=en&osCsid=pstophtab8naf0pal39pi37i60

Australia
Firestorm Models: http://www.firestormmodels.com/store/product.php?productid=9306&cat=0&featured=Y

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O

Oooops ...he should have !!!!!

Post amended ..should have read commisioned ....its my age you know

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Its computer thickie here Don , not sure why the links are not happenning , can I suggest you do a search fro Scale Model Handbook and my usser ID napoleonpeart you should pick up all of the other 4 reviews ..needless to say wahichever you get you will not be dissapointed (Mr Black has deals on multi purchases on his website)

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