AK Interactive's Figure F.A.Q by Kirill Kanaev

[kevininpdx]

Wow. Expensive. I’d have to see a review before putting that kind of cash on a book.

 

[grasshopper]

Wow. Expensive. I’d have to see a review before putting that kind of cash on a book.

Reviews don’t usually work..as I indicated there is one on Mich toy site..but it’s advertorial in my eyes..best : a shop that will carry it and you able to turn the pages yourself..reviews generally are fraught..of these sort of books near impossible as it’s so very personal

 

[kevininpdx]

Reviews don’t usually work..as I indicated there is one on Mich toy site..but it’s advertorial in my eyes..best : a shop that will carry it and you able to turn the pages yourself..reviews generally are fraught..of these sort of books near impossible as it’s so very personal

Right. It would have to be an independent review. Not from someone selling it. As far as seeing it in a shop...even in my medium sized city a hobby shop is a holy grail. Meaning this book would be a unicorn

 

[grasshopper]

Right. It would have to be an independent review. Not from someone selling it. As far as seeing it in a shop...even in my medium sized city a hobby shop is a holy grail. Meaning this book would be a unicorn

None within four hours drive of us..I know the feeling

 

[Forté]

Right. It would have to be an independent review. Not from someone selling it. As far as seeing it in a shop...even in my medium sized city a hobby shop is a holy grail. Meaning this book would be a unicorn

Don't know any independent reviewers.

Do know one that is connected to Mr Lee's Minis that even points out issues on things Mr Lee's sells

But I won't be reviewing this. Sorry.

 

[Blind Pew]

I ask one question. "Will it improve my painting?" From what I've seen here, I'd have to say that it probably would.
It's a lot of money though!

 

[Blind Pew]

No idea what this is all about. Did I miss something??

- Steve

Steve, you beat me to it. I'm mystified as well!

 

[Forté]

Steve, you beat me to it. I'm mystified as well!

If you didn't witness a certain ill conceived hype campaign then you won't know so don't worry.

 

[Babelfish]

great artists may not be great teachers...for me, I learn by doing, less if at all by reading or watching...so at best these books are perhaps seeds planted that my mind can chew over..those lessons about How to paint like an old master don’t make one an old master...

Nail on head there, especially that last sentence.

I myself use (and enjoy!) books like this mostly as "coffee table" volumes that I pick up, leaf through and draw inspiration from. Occasionally I might glean a tip or an idea that I then try out at the bench (sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't).

What does frustrate me sometimes is the paint recipes, which often seem unnecessarily complicated (e.g. "for the base coat I used raw umber plus some burnt siena and a touch of cadmium yellow with a hint of violet added before finally a touch of titanium white") - almost as if the author is trying to blind you with science and turn it into some sort of "dark art" that's shrouded in mystery. In my (humble) opinion, successful painting is all about the technique, not a never-ending array of fancy paint mixes. I say KEEP IT SIMPLE!! LESS IS MORE!!

As I said before, I'm under no illusions that books like this will magically transform me into a Master painter and multiple Gold Medal winner at shows, but I am looking forward to this one because it does look like a quality book by one of the very best painters around today.

Does anyone know how in depth or how many pages if any cover the oil painting method ?

The panzerwrecks site gives the page count as 488, so it's a hefty tome indeed. The contents lists Chapter 5.2 as "Techniques with oils". But whether or not oil techniques carry over into other parts of the book is not clear. Here are the chapter headings:

1. Materials
   1.1 Paints
   1.2 Tools
   1.3 Auxiliary products & basics
2. Before we Start on our figure
   2.1 Workspace
   2.2 Getting our figure ready
3. Colors
   3.1 Color concepts
   3.2 Color mixes
4. Lighting concepts
   4.1 Basic concepts
   4.2 Lights depending on the position of the details
5. Techniques
   5.1 Techniques with acrylics
   5.2 Techniques with oils
   5.3 Glazes
   5.4 Stippling
   5.5 Outlining
   5.6 How, and when, to use the dry-brushing technique
   5.7 How, and when, to use the sponge technique
   5.8 Airbrush techniques for figures
6. Painting figures. Applying techniques
   6.1 How to paint skin
   6.2 How to paint hands
   6.3 How to paint eyes
   6.4 How to paint the hair
   6.5 How to paint clothes
   6.6 Elements of animal origin
   6.7 Reflective surfaces
   6.8 Non metallic metal technique
   6.9 Wood
   6.10 Gemstones, pearls and crystal
   6.11 Special effects

Hope that helps.

- Steve

 

[Nap]

Now that's an impressive volume of a book ...much looks like is being covered in it

Like others that have been produced for me it's wonderful to see the completed pieces in full glorious colour and just marvel and respect such talent

Nap

 

[grasshopper]

I know Sunward in Toronto is getting at least a copy and likely will order it..then am most likely up to pass it along if anyone is interested..might send to Nap and he can circulate or just ask someone to pass along when that are finished looking..am not into reselling

 

[Nap]

I know Sunward in Toronto is getting at least a copy and likely will order it..then am most likely up to pass it along if anyone is interested..might send to Nap and he can circulate or just ask someone to pass along when that are finished looking..am not into reselling

WOW!!......,a book like this should be there for you to constantly look at the contents and enjoy always

......Scott Pashinek from USA received his copy very recently and will be doing a video review on his You Tube soon

Happy reading all

Nap

 

[grasshopper]

WOW!!......,a book like this should be there for you to constantly look at the contents and enjoy always

......Scott Pashinek from USA received his copy very recently and will be doing a video review on his You Tube soon

Happy reading all

Nap

Have to call you out: Scott lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada..as many will know, he’s a fine painter, model maker..went to ACAD, trained graphic designer..he knows his stuff..and he uses oils, airbrushes..

 

[Nap]

Have to call you out: Scott lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada..as many will know, he’s a fine painter, model maker..went to ACAD, trained graphic designer..he knows his stuff..and he uses oils, airbrushes..

No problem my apologies to Scott

Nap

 

[grasshopper]

I caught out the Uber researcher!

 

[yellowcat]

Just saw this review by Scott Pasishnek.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?fbcli...CJVlVl10IUAHTk&v=_81nK8haXtc&feature=youtu.be

 

[grasshopper]

Seeing the review, yes he likes it, but he does rep them..and there is no content that haven’t been addressed in other similar encyclopaedia style efforts..altho and it might be a huge thing: I didn’t see references to AK products peppering the book which unfortunately plagues most others..it’s one stop shopping...just bear in mind that exposition is not the same as instruction..these tend to be FOMO a things which after a read thru tend to gather dust..I like Scott and his stuff..kirill is obviously a superb painter, and Scoot has the full on bromance going even before he cracked the cover. ..but teacher? Can’t say...but then this isn’t an instruction book in terms of being a course..it’s just a compendium..pricing may not be too horrible compared to the Ammo by Mig encyclopoedia compiled by Cabos..which has a key difference being assembled fro many fine painters..vs one however great..I have one coming when Sunward gets it..I like seeing what’s there but really hardly expecting much new..hope to be pleasantly surprised

 

[yellowcat]

Seeing the review, yes he likes it, but he does rep them..and there is no content that haven’t been addressed in other similar encyclopaedia style efforts..altho and it might be a huge thing: I didn’t see references to AK products peppering the book which unfortunately plagues most others..it’s one stop shopping...just bear in mind that exposition is not the same as instruction..these tend to be FOMO a things which after a read thru tend to gather dust..I like Scott and his stuff..kirill is obviously a superb painter, and Scoot has the full on bromance going even before he cracked the cover. ..but teacher? Can’t say...but then this isn’t an instruction book in terms of being a course..it’s just a compendium..pricing may not be too horrible compared to the Ammo by Mig encyclopoedia compiled by Cabos..which has a key difference being assembled fro many fine painters..vs one however great..I have one coming when Sunward gets it..I like seeing what’s there but really hardly expecting much new..hope to be pleasantly surprised

Nice picture book though.

 

[grasshopper]

Definitely..as I indicated, I am buying it for that..sort of painter porn

 

[Nap]

Nice picture book though.

It's a massive production and full of colour pictures....the name will sell it IMO ..seeing the work all together is as grasshopper put it " painting porn "

Nap