alex castro's book?

[godfather]

Anybody know if the book: "The art of painting minatures" is out in North America if not where can I get it? Is it worth it?

 

[John Long]

I saw it on sale at the Chicago show. There may be a review on this site somewhere. There was some discussion here when the book was announced. I didn't purchase one.

 

[Pete_H]

I saw it in Chicago as well. Can't say much about it, except it's stunning.

 

[Anders Heintz]

Saw the book in Chicago as well...I wouldnt bother spending your hard earned money, if you want to get a book, get Horans Masterclass or any of the Euro Modelismo books. No use in wasting good cash.

 

[poetwarrior]

I also reserved a copy a long time ago and received it in the mail today via Amazon. I haven't had the chance to take a good long look at it and begin reading it, but it's not bad from what I can tell. It's really doesn't present anything new to the hobby, but it would probably work well for the beginner. I agree, your best bet for inspiration is Bill Horan's Masterclass.

Dave

 

[mcsneed17]

i ask both greg defranico and jack muldoon about him and they never heard of him . what club his he affliated with .

 

[Anders Heintz]

I think he is from Pennsylvania, not sure if he is in a group or not. Not many have heard of him in the historical miniature circles, I believe that he is more of a garage/fantasy figure guy.

 

[Einion]

Originally posted by Anders Heintz@Oct 16 2004, 01:21 AM
...I believe that he is more of a garage/fantasy figure guy.

Certainly looks like it judging from the photos of his work I've seen.

Einion

 

[Guy]

I saw the below book listed on ebay for $9.99 starting bid. 160 pages in paperback

 

[Pete_H]

Your money is far better spent elsewhere.

 

[Johan]

I didn't buy the book, but had another look at pictures of Alex's work on the internet; now I have to admit that there is something to the fleshtones of his figures that WORKS.
He apparently adds a greyish or greenish glaze (?) in certain places (the recessed areas of the sculpture), which makes the flesh tone on the other areas come out more "fresh" and "alive". We have had Alex on Pf before, and it's a pity he never really did explain how he did that, and where exactly to put these greyish-greenish tones as a rule. The guy does know something about colour theory, fe. about complementary colours, unfortunately he's apparently not that good at explaining "how to".

Just my "as objective as possible" point of view.

 

[quang]

Like I said, the guy knows his colours. In fact, much better than many medallists in the mini-world.

His mistake was to stumble on the wrong crowd.

Q.

 

[Robin]

I add some gray to my fleah colours, from being at a David Lane seminar at Euro a couple of years ago.


Robin

 

[Roc]

Alex Castro did have an interesting approach to painting figures.
The thing that I think turned many people off was the fact that he came across too mercenary and wasn't willing to answer questions pro bono, wanted every body to buy the book.
The planet is a forum not a place where you tease the participants by showing them a picture and refusing to answer questions, hoping you buy the book.
The other thing that I think turned people off is that fact that he could not take constructive criticism, he would get very upset any time some one tried to critique his figures.

Cheers

Roc

 

[Major_Goose]

Well having that book in my bookcase i d say that ..if u d like to follow it u ll have to change a lot if not completely your painting customs. Castro uses totally different method, he uses a lot of airbrush and mostly he is reffering to methods that apply in big scale figures. Its not a classic figure paitning book. like Shep Paine's or Bill Horans , or Euromodellismo, or Even Osprey's manuals. Better try one of these

Costas

 

[quang]

Originally posted by Major_Goose@Nov 1 2004, 12:48 AM
Castro uses totally different method...

That is precisely the reason why Castro's book should be interesting, to me anyway.

After all, apart from the absolute rookies, who needs another umpteenth book/ article/s-b-s about well-proven techniques which, like it or not, derive directly or indirectly from Sheperd Paine?

My own technique owes a lot to Paine but also to plastic (aircraft) modelling as well as to canvas painters (Impressionists). Currently I'm discovering Vermeer and the Dutch masters and I'm sure their influence will be reflected one way or another in my future dabblings.

Painting is painting, regardless of the nature of the canvas, scale or subject. Any trick/tip is worthwhile if it can improve your technique and make you a better painter.

I know Alex Castro ruffled a lot of feathers by his overtly mercantile attitude. But that would not justify the hysterical and aggressive response demonstrated in some previous posts.

As for myself, I'd take what I like and leave the rest. It's as simple as that.

Q.

PS. I'm not related to Alex Castro :lol: nor do I have anything to do with his book. I don't even know the man.

 

[Lou Masses]

I don't know that it was his "mercantile Behavior" that ruffled feathers (mine for one) as it was "I am a masterful genius who is so much smarter than you petty mortals that I have not the time to share with you-buy my book" attitude. (mercantile plus egomaniac make a dangerous combo).

There's nothing wrong with hyping your goods here if they benefit the community - Quang, and numerous others do it - albeit less aggressively. It's when you present yourself as better than anyone else (when in fact your portfolio doesn't come close to your ego), that creates a problem.

If you're going to act like you're better, you damn well better be. Hence also why the whole "who are you?" thing came up. You don't have to be a medal winner or even a competitor, just someone who's work (or at least their expertise )is equal to or better than their ego.

 

[Colin_Fraser]

While I agree with the specifics of Lou's observations, I think I would have to park myself in Quang's camp on this one. I think this site has suffered for its sometimes meanspritied reaction to Alex's self-aggrandizing posts. Since he left, and since another memorable controversy, I detected a significant fall-off in participation and enthusiasm as it appeared that we were heading where we have gone before (i.e. MMHQ and MHF). It could be coincidence but I don't think so.

A lot of the surging participation found last year is now gone. Less questions and less active discussion on uniforms, less SBSs, less discussion of new releases. Maybe this is just part of the normal life cycle of a site but I still see this as the best potential modeling site on the net.... and it has a lot of that potential still unfulfilled.

My advice for future is - If someone is arrogant or annoying, do what you'd tell your kids to do - ignore them or walk away. It serves everyone better.

Colin

 

[Guy]

Originally posted by crf@Nov 1 2004, 11:01 AM


My advice for future is - If someone is arrogant or annoying, do what you'd tell your kids to do - ignore them or walk away. It serves everyone better.

Colin

Many of you see my name listed below in the members section every day. There is a reason. I refuse to let this forum go the way that MMHQ and MHF went. I read every post and when I feel their is an offensive remark made to another member and the posting has gotten personal.......I deleat the posting. I am much less lenient now a days because so many of you seem to thrive on "getting personal" toward another. I used to send out emails and explain why your posting is gone.......not anymore. You know why your posting is gone, yet you still continue to make aggressive postings toward other members. Now I could spend this amount of time it takes to read the postings and paint more, but I believe in this forum.

Most of you have no idea how many "trash" postings we have accumulated in a section of the forum not available to members except Anders, Gordy and myself.

I love objective criticism and love to read someone's posting when they can be objective with what I have done, or could do to improve. I think most people can handle objective criticism if it is given in a humane manner.(there are a few who can't and should not post their work) Not many can handle being attacked as I have seen a few recieve this treatment from others in the forum. The attacking will not be tolerated and this forum will not follow suit with MMHQ and MHF.

No better words could have been posted here than when Colin typed......"My advice for the future is - If someone is arrogant or annoying, do what you would tell your kids to do - ignore them or walk away. It serves everyone better" ....thanks Colin

 

[KeithP]

I appreciate the effort to keep this a friendly site. I used to participate in a local pro sports site until it degenerated into some of the worst personal attacks I ever witnessed .

I have been around this site almost since day one (in one form or another ) and IMO, it has never been better. Just look at the number of threads and new work benches. Over the past few months there has been more new people participating than ever.

Keith