Author: Mark Bannerman
Published: Osprey Publishing – Osprey Modelling Series No.42
Availability: See www.ospreypublishing.com
Format: Soft back, 80 pages, an abundance of colour photographs throughout, English text.
ISBN: 978-1-84603-238-7
Our thanks to Osprey Publishing for supplying the review copy
What’s in it?
The Osprey Modelling Series is well established now and I’ve been lucky enough to author one or two titles in the series, so I was just a little bit familiar with what to expect. But what if you’re not in the know on this series? Well read on…
This latest title tackles the ‘dark art’ of creating realistic scale model figures and anyone that has attempted this type of modelling in the past will know just what a tricky yet rewarding area it is to work in. Certainly Mark Bannerman has done a superb job with this title, showing you the reader, exactly the steps that are needed to create a miniature masterpiece or one that you are proud of anyway!
The Foreword has been written by Shep Paine no less who is world renowned for his model figure painting. Mark does a first class job of taking you through the steps needed to get into this area of scale modelling. The book is definitely aimed at giving you all you need to know to not only make a start, but to successfully achieve the results that you are looking for.
The early chapter addresses the real bread and butter of this type of modelling: building from the box, converting and sculpting as well as scratch building your figures. Working with plastic as well as white metal figures is covered. Painting is a huge part of creating successful figures modellers and Mark takes you through the brushes, paints and other materials that are needed. The effects that Mark achieves are little short of astonishing to my eye and I am sure that you will be inspired to have a go and use Mark’s book as an invaluable reference source. Some of his subjects are stunning, like the German Officer by Pegaso Models, not to mention the knight on horseback!
What’s the verdict?
This book is an excellent addition to the Osprey Modelling Series and worth investing in. It will be an invaluable resource for those already into their figure modelling, but may well entice many others to have a go too – surely that’s what these titles are all about, isn’t it?
Highly recommended
Geoff C.
