Review Scale Model Handbook -Diorama Modelling # 1 from Mr Black Publications

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Mr Black Publications have established themselves a fine position in our hobby producing 9 volumes at present on Figure modelling now they have moved into another aspect of the hobby ..the DIORAMA .

Producing the volume in what will be hopefully a series that will be increased at regular intervals we have Vol # 1

Contributors to this volume include: It iANTONIO FDEZ (PIQUI) • JESUS GAMARRA • JAVIER GONZALEZ (ARSIES) • THEODOROS KELESIDIS • NOEL PETRONI • SERGEY POPOVICHENKO • COSTAS RODOPOULOS KAZUFUMI TOMORI • ALEX VARELA (IGUAZZU) • DAVE YOUNGQUISTs The

Format is as before A4 with Matt laminated card cover

There are a total of 9 action packed articles so lets look at them :

the 1st being from Jesu Gamarra and covers a diorama inspired from a famous painting of the battle of Bailen in 1808 , scale being 54mm . in the article we have a guided tour of the road Jesu took in producing the diorama and to be honest is a mind blowing read .

Over a set of 16 glorious pages we seen the subject develop from the reference the sculpting and the painting ...there is a total of 6 full colour pages of the finished piece with another 3 and 1/2 pages covering the sculpting , the way the figures interact is also covered and what I particularly look for are the colour mixes ...all parts of the figures are given , hats , equiptment ..you name it its here .............a fine start to the book .

Continued in next post

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Moving on now to the next presentation:

This time we have a WW1 diorama , in 120mm scale using various figures including those from Jon Smith and Jeff Shiu .

As its the 100th anniversary of this horrific war its particularly apt that this should be included .

Modelled by Dave Youngquist (the owner of "Last Cavalry Historical Toys and Hobbies"), we have a wonderful description of producing the actual trench , amazing work and details are included , barbed wire , the trench debris ..the article itself c0ncentrates on the actual diorama and as such provides a basic overview of the mixes used but even in this format they are so useful ...particularly the uniform colour mixes ..emphasing the variation of the uniform colour

Again packed with colour pictures spread over 8 pages , all in colour finely produced showing the completed model ..depicting the true grime soldiers fought in ..very atmospheric and inspirational.

Next we have moved forward in time to the 2nd World War to the war fought in the desert ..a diorama for the Amour modeller using the Acadamy kit of a US M3 "Honey" tank ..now let me say I wouldn't know the difference between the front and back end of a tank but this was an article I found very interesting to read .

Written by Noel Petroni , he begins with historical data abosetting the scene for the reader , then its the tank constructionincluding the use of PE and the appication of decals , as well of course painting the disitinctive camo scheme, after which he looks at the weathering effects he used ...again lots of useful inf in this ....then we have the figures that populate the diorama using various figures and additions , finally we have the terrain .and there you have it ..WOW so much work has gone into the model and the actual setting ..impressiveto say the least .
Thee article covers a total of 12 full pages , again packed with great colour pictures ..you could almost be there ....an article where the figures interact with the main subject .

Continued in next post:

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For the next piece we stay in WW2 but move to the horror of "Die Ostfront 1945"

Written by Kazufumi Tomori and using Tamiya 120mm figures and much converting including producing a figure from scratch using a wire frame and building it up to form the body etc .

Over a total of 20 pages , he takes us through sculpting the scene including a ruined building and the figures , these are particularly well covered , every step he did is shown in clear pictures . making the need for words not so esential , but when they are written they are full of information which includes details of the putties used .

Also mentioned is the actual composition of the figures in the diorama so vital this is right .

Then we come to the painting of the figures a particularly useful page was how Kaz paints faces ..all mixes are included . after this we see each individual figure being painted , with every possible mix used , loads of advice and informatiom including painter splinter camo amongst much more ..all equiptment is then covered again with mix details being given.

Next up we go back in time with the help of Sergey Popovichenko this time to the conquest of the Maya peoples using Tartar Miniatures we are shown how he approached the painting of the set for use as Box Art ...a different approach as he was not allowed to make any cahanges but concentrate on the scene as released ....does he achieve it most definately ...the painting of the scenary/temple is amazing work , the green hues on the stones being of particular note , we are shown how he painted the stonework over 1 spread of 4 pictures on one page , we are also treated to some mix information in particular the one used for Mayan flesh ...the end result a dramatic and original vignette.

Continued in next post:

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Next we stay in WW2 this time a diorama from Javier Gonzales depicting the innocence of children , using a Russin field gun as a swing ..almost totally unaware of the death and destruction that it causes ..wrapped up in their own make believe world , one child swings happily , the other leaning on his hand he waits for his turn , a dog satnds nearby.

As in other articles we are treated with a background to the thoughts behind the piece , the building and painting of the gun , and the terrain , all of which blends so well together , the whole scene is painted in browns with the little dog being a flash of colour .

The painting of the children is of particular note , again we have full colour pictures which compliment the article, no actaul mixes are included but sound advice on the tones used are.

We now have an article proving that its great doing thsi hobby ..full of fun , depicting a scratchbuilt car with a suitably attired man complete with leather helmet...brilliant stuff .

This time we have a collaboration between Alex Varela and Antonio Fernandez ..waht a team they make you acn almost feel the enjoyment the piece gave them , as always we are again being spolit with full information on the sceneic work and of course the figures over a packed colour saturated 8 pages ...all very inspirational stuff ..the painting of the cars engine and exhausts are breat ..this is a fun piece which captures that moment of happiness felt by the driver ..the farmyard animals are fleeing in his wake ...Love it .

Continued in next post:


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On now to the final 2 articles the first being a very specialised subject ..Trees

Written by another favourite and talented modeller Caostas Rodopoulos we are taken to his work bench where we see all his tools and items needed to make the Pine trees .
We are shown how he textures the trunks and makes the branches , all very incredible stuff and amazing modelling skills producing very realistic trees which work so well in the scenes shown over the again very colourful 8 pages .....so much knowledge has been given in the article ...I do envy figure modellers who do diorama's ..so much to think about ..great to see all aspects .

On now to the last but not least article written by Theodoros Kelsedis who take us to the horror of trench fighting on the russian campaign near Moscow in 1941 ...depicting german troops having just reached a trench , in the bottom we see the defender killed in the name of Stalin..crushed under the might of germany in a brutal campaign.

Covering a total of 9 pages again packed with very good and clear pictures ....all very interesting details .

Using various parts we are given a SBS of the concept , the construction of the trench . the positioning of the figures in relation to the scene and each other , we also have mixes used including a very useful (for me ) Russian Uniform ...finally we are shown the completed scene in several wonderful pictures ..stirring stuff.

Final thoughts :

Well what can I say except BUY IT , you will always find something of use in the articles ..no matter what you model (I do busts!!!) ..the quality is as with teh Figure Modelling volumes TOP NOTCH , colur reproduction is again SPOT ON with sharp images on every page .

I would like to Thank the team for all the effort that has gone into this ...its been worth it guys.

VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

I look forward to the next publication fromStelios and the team

Historex and El Greco are some of the distributors in teh UK

For more informatio and distributors go to the website

www.mrblackpublications.com

or to the facebook page at

www.facebook.com/MrBlackPublications

.Thanks for looking in

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[Dave - LastCav]

Thank you for the excellent review of the entire book and I am very proud to be a part of it!!
Last Cavalry just received the first shipment of books yesterday and I'm looking forward to reading this evening.

 

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Dave ,

Not a problem , its was a lot of work but nothing compared to all that went into producing the book ...you should be proud ...I am just to be able to share my thoughts in a Review for PF members

Happy Reading

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[swralph]

Another great review keep em coming

 

[Ray Welshman]

I have several of the other Figure books and will be picking it up. I'm heading to Philly in May for MFCA and hoping to get it there.

Cheers

Ray

 

[MrBMB]

Looks like a great book
Love dio type books, might have to pick this one up