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Open Book Scale Model Handbook Volume 3 From Mr Black Publications

Discussion in 'Reviews , Video Reviews and Open Book' started by Nap, Aug 27, 2012.

  1. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    kev 330.jpg Hi Guys ,

    When I receive a book I am always happy (you should see my reference library!!!) this certainly brought a smile to my face .....and kept me quiet for many an hour (Carole says thanks Stelios)

    I am going to do this slightly differently by looking at each article and highlighting things from it found of use/interest , then after all are done I will post some pictures ....after my camera has finished charging :X3: ...technology eh :eek: !!!!

    So this is not so much an open box as an open book and what a nice book I have to open .

    It is of course one from Mr Black Publications , this time its volume 3 in the series , following on from the previous 2 which I also did reviews on , here are the links :

    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

    TDemiras
    Title: Scale Model Handbook 3

    Published by: Mr Black Publications

    Editor : Stelios Demiras

    Proof Reading by : Ken Jones/Charles Davis

    Artwork by: Maria Dimou

    ISBN: 2241-1054

    Price: 14.95 euro's plus shipping

    I ordered my copy direct from Mr Black though the website , this was easily done , with no problems , being updated on the order progress by Stelios .

    As with the others in the series shipping was quick , I received mine in under a week , it was carefully packed firstly being beincarefully wrapped and sealed inside and then put into a cardboard cover ..no chance of my postman bending it!!!

    The book itself is A4 size, with a matt laminated soft covered consisting of a total of 50 pages (52 with covers) , printed on top quality paper with as before recommended on the cover by Pegaso.

    Contents:

    The artiicle consist of a total of 8 (4 full figure using Pegaso and "oh joy of joys" 4 using Young Miniatures busts ..ye hah (y) :love: !!!!)

    Painting using all mediums is covered ..Oils, Acrylics and enamels .

    Book contributors:

    • GRIGORIS MARMATAKIS

    • MANOLIS MITSOTAKIS

    • CHRISTOS PANAGIOTOPOULOS

    • ERNESTO REYES STALHUTH

    CHRISTOS STAMATOPOULOS

    • KAZUFUMI TOMORI

    Articles:

    Page 4 SS Sturmbannführer of the Artillery - 90mm.

    Page 14 U-Boat Crew WWII - 180mm bust

    Page16 Soviet Naval Infantry WWII, “The Black Devil”- 180mm bust

    Page18 Gallic Chieftain 1st Century B.C. - 75mm.

    Page 30 General Marcus Antonius 83-30 B.C. - 180mm bust

    Page 32 Pausanias at the Battle of Plataea - 90mm.

    Page 38 Emmanuel De Grouchy (1766 -1847) - 75mm.

    Page 42 German Fallschirmjäger 1944 – 180mm bust



    Continued in next post:

    Nap




    View attachment 102680
  2. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    Before I start looking at each article , I should just like to say that the text in all of them is an easy and enjoyable read , full of SBS ,colour mixes and suggestions from each of the articles author.


    In addition to the text the colour images are excellent , bright and fresh ....these include both SBS and completed one of the chosen subject .



    Lets begin then looking at what is also on the front cover of the book :

    SS Sturmbannführer of the Artillery - 90mm.
    kev 331.jpg
    Those that know this figure know that it is one of attitude , with many differnt surface to investigate when painting....and we have a dog as well!!

    What stood out for me in this article ...3 things really the face painting , the leather coat (always something I find a challenge) and the approach to the terrain .....in the article there are lots of mixes ....a good start

    Now No2:
    Page 14 U-Boat Crew WWII - 180mm bust
    kev 332.jpg
    A bust ..happy already , , painting a bust needs IMO a different approach as the surface are larger ,consisting of 2 pages one full of the mixes used (my note book is full!!!) the other the image no SBS (for any of the busts) , covering all area's of the subject including painting binoculars and metallics..suffice to say the colour image is great as well .

    No 3 :
    Page16 Soviet Naval Infantry WWII, “The Black Devil”- 180mm bust
    kev 333.jpg
    Yet another bust (getting spolit now Stelios!!) , again it consists of 2 pages full of mixes , what impressed me was the cap band writing and the bandoliers particularly useful , painting the black uniform ..good info .



    No 4 :
    Page18 Gallic Chieftain 1st Century B.C. - 75mm.
    kev 334.jpg
    Its back to a full figure and what a figure to choose , painted by Ernesto Reyes from this very forum , this has a total of 12 pages absolutely packed with SBS, mixes , images which work well with the text..what stood out or me ..the metallics and the leathers . the tartan cloak and with the way the "bloodied" sword was treated .....after all, this reading and note taking I took time out to admire the finished pictures ...wonderful Ernesto .


    No 5:
    Page 30 General Marcus Antonius 83-30 B.C. - 180mm bust

    kev 335.jpg
    With this article its back to a bust (phew(y)) , again the article consists of 2 pages , 1 full of mixes , into the notebook went the beard and the cloak mixes and then admiring sighs of the image !!!!


    No 6:
    Page 32 Pausanias at the Battle of Plataea - 90mm.
    kev 336.jpg
    This time this article spread over 6 pages , 2 being full colour images , the remaining being interspursed with a mass of mixes ,all complimented by SBS pictures , 3 things stood out for me the groundwork (love the way it goes over the edge) the cloak but most of all the shield an amazing paintjob.

    No 7:
    Page 38 Emmanuel De Grouchy (1766 -1847) - 75mm.
    kev 337.jpg
    This subject is one that is dear to my heart (yes I have a bust version!!!) , spread over a total of 4 pages 2 being the completed model (I a single image the other has 4 different views) .
    As before a mass of mixes with SBS all well written , for me what jumped out was the painting of the green cape and the hat using NMM methods ..yes that went into the notebook!!!!

    Finally No 8:
    Page 42 German Fallschirmjäger 1944 – 180mm bust
    kev 338.jpg
    To end the book we have a bust ":singing: oh happy days:singing: " Thanks Stelios .....this time the article consist of 9 pages , 2 are of the finished model , there are furter images packed into the text and on full pages spreads
    ..this is a favourit bust of mine , of interest to me was the fact that the author uses a dark blue and an orange to define the shadows and the highlights ..something I will try I think . what did I like in the article , the info on use of different products including Jo Sonja acrylics , the fact the camo has been broken down into the different colours and the techniques used on the shovel together with the authors comments on painting reflection colours.



    I am sure you will agree a great variation in the articles .


    Continued in next post:
    Nap
  3. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    Hi Guys
    ,
    My Final thoughts :

    Like the others in the series this is a book that is well produced , , full of superb colour and a very readable text ( its almost like the authors are reading it to you !!!)
    The articles are excellent (perhaps all the busts being given the same amount of pages ..well I would say that I suppose ...this in no way affected the enjoyment I encountered when I was readng the book) . they are well written by authors that obviously are at the top of our hobby .

    Price the same as before , the presentation and paper quality of everything is 1st class , resulting in it being amongst the books that I will refer back to time and time again .


    The book IS inspirational , so if you buy no other for your bookshelf buy this one ..you won't regret it .


    This is book 3 covering Figure Modelling and I will be getting No 4.......5, 6 etc...........(y)


    HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

    Available from :

    Historex Agents

    Bookworld Wholesale
    (www.bookworldws.co.uk)


    In Germany via
    Berliner Zinnfiguren
    (www.zinnfigur.com)


    In Australia via
    Firestorm Models
    (www.firestormmodels.com)


    or contact Stelios direct via his website:


    www.mrblackpublications.com



    Nap

    PS : While you are on Stelios's website why not gave a good look around there is loads more stuff on it ..particularly like the World in Scale link
  4. Jazz A Fixture

    Country:
    England
    Nice review Kev. Now youre back its easy to see youre back on form and theres no stopping you.
  5. Paul Kernan A Fixture

    Country:
    Canada
    Kevin:

    Thanks for taking the time to review this product (and others in the past)(y)

    I haven't as yet had an opportunity to see one 'in the flesh'. Just wondering...even although you stated there is a use of mixed mediums, am I wrong in assuming it still leans toward acrylic painting? Although I'm an oil man, I have tried my hand at acrylics. It's just I'm rubbish with them.

    Cheers
    Paul
  6. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    Paul ,
    No probs on the review , the book uses mainly acrylics but for example also using oils on top of the flesh areas on the busts, or on the shadows on de Grouchy , the book is full of hints and idea's.

    Keep giving the Acrylics a go (use W &N blending medium to give you a longer working time) ....I can't use Oils (why not try W & N water soluable oils from the Artisan range..I use these with Acrylics ...and they don't taste so bad as full blown Oils!!)

    Jazz,
    Yes I am back ..but must discipline myself to paint as well as there is a some bloke who seems too be painting a lot ...YOU !!!!! .... glad you enjoy the reviews ..next up will be a medeival billman from The Basemet Range sculpted by Rob Lane.

    Off to work now !!:cry:

    Nap

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