Painting & Displaying Military Models

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Painting & Displaying Military Models
Editor: Jose A. Azorin
Softcover - 130 pages
Publisher: Xtreme Modelling
Price: £27.99

Introduction

Xtreme Modelling is a Spanish company that publish a periodical magazine called...oddly enough...Xtreme Modelling. They have however, begun to produce a series of special titles and presentations covering different aspects of the military modelling sphere.

The book

The book is A4 sized and full colour throughout. It's sub-title is 'The Spanish Way', whatever that means? I'm still not convinced there is such a thing, since the work contained within it's covers could have been produced in the Netherlands, the UK or USA. If it refers to a particular style of painting or something, then it's not something I can see?

The foreword is actually split into two sections. The first by the editor Jose A. Azorin, and the second by Miguel Jimenez. Jose seems to conclude that he too is of the opinion that it's no longer really useful to think of a 'Spanish school' since information and techniques spread far too quickly these days and other groups both adopt new ideas quickly and influence others themselves. The second Foreword if you like, by Miguel Jimenez espouses the theory that we've somehow forgotten how to make dioramas and must look backward if we're to develop further. I think it probably loses something in the translation.

The book is split into sections with each section containing two dioramas. The section titles are somewhat contrived, for example the first section is called Elements', the second 'Seasons' and the third 'Spaces'...the last two didn't fit so it's called 'Addenda'?

That's the criticism out of the way! The rest is all positive! What I can say is that the book features seven outstanding dioramas, built largely by modellers I haven't heard of before, apart from of course for the Bronekater diorama by Miguel Jimenez.

Each of the features covers the subject matter in broadly the same manner, with only small differences. Beginning with a short bio of the modeller, and photographs of the finished scene we move on to what looks like a step-by-step of how the vehicles were finished, then the groundwork and finally the figures, then more pictures of the finished scene. There are obviously as mentioned, small differences within each of the features, for example one of the modellers offers a presentation on the use of perspective when planning a scene, etc.

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The sections that resemble step-by-steps are more to show what the modeller did to achieve the look he desired rather than a true step-by-step. You'd be hard put to follow these and achieve the same effects. The book should be treated as a high quality showcase rather than a text book, and as such it fulfils the role well. I've already spent a lot of time dipping in and out of it's pages, and the high quality photography used throughout will ensure that it won't gather dust on my bookshelf.

Towards the end of the book, the last feature article is a series of black & white reference photographs taken during WWII of the Bison I, each accompanied by a well thought out caption. There is a short history of the vehicle along with sections on each of the units that used them. A series of colour plates then shows some interesting colour and marking schemes for anybody thinking of building one to use as future reference.

Conclusion

It's not a cheap book this. I'm not only referring to the purchase price. It's beautifully put together and well worth getting if you can afford it. There are a couple of small things that I wouldn't expect in a book of this price. For example a photograph on page 13 actually obscures a line of print making it unreadable...a small mistake, but one that shouldn't be there in a book of this price. Having said that, I'd still recommend it, because I think studying the material of the book is extremely worthwhile. It might inspire you to attempt something of the same...or you might just enjoy the work for what it is. Either way, I think it's worth the money!

Thanks to Justin at Bookworld for the review sample. To see other titles from Xtreme Modelling, as well as those from other publishers, please see their website: BOOKWORLD