Military Model Scene

Title: Modelling & Painting World War I Allied Figures
Author: Mike Butler
Publisher: Crowood Press
ISBN: 978-0-71984-092-0

The latest modelling title from Crowood Press, by Kiwi Mike Butler has some really high class guides to painting and finishing British, Commonwealth and French figures from WW1. A 208-page soft-cover book, packed with great tips and techniques.
The Preface and Introduction from Mike sets the scene very nicely. Setting out how his interests have been focussed by involvement of ANZAC forces during WW1, considering what they looked like, wearing the uniforms and equipment of the period. This includes a number of photos from the 10th Essex Living History Group, including a couple more from Andy Belsey and myself when Andy Robertshaw ran his '24 Hour Trench' project. The first of the 10 chapters gives a quick introduction to the different types of figure models, in resin, metal and plastic before moving on to covering tools and materials he uses, including notes on his photography set-up. Basic figure construction follows, and we see the first illustrations drawn by Mike's son, done in the style of Stan Catchpole (Bryan Fosten) from the early years of Military Modelling Magazine, which I am sure many will remember fondly. Basic Figure Construction does include making some minor improvements. This is followed by a chapter on paints and painting equipment, covering both acrylic and oil paints. I am sure many readers will like Mike's notes on how to make your own wet palette. Worth saying here that while I have used oil paints over the years, Mike makes much more use of them, and to such great effect. He describes his various brushing techniques, with Stippling, Dabbing, Stibbling and more. I can't recall hearing about Stibbling before, but seeing how he uses this technique to create a 3D effect on webbing on his large scale busts in particular, is amazing and so well described. Over topics such as painting figures, resin and metal busts, painting busts, scratchbuilding figures, building dioramas and more. There are of course some great tutorials, explained in great clear detail, painting faces, eyes, uniform textures etc. The subjects include ANZAC, Belgian, French and British infantry, as well as some airmen. The book is rounded off with some more of Mikes painted models which are not otherwise covered in the tutorials and some lovely figures among them.
Put simply this is a marvellous book. Mike's skills are fantastic, plus he is able to set out how he achieves these results in a very clear and detailed way. The photos that illustrate the book throughout are beautiful, and I love the way he names his characters and creates great textures in the uniforms and character in the faces. This really is first class.
Thanks to Crowood Press for the review copy.

Robin