What do you think?
Rate this book
Modelling Masterclass
Airbrushing and Finishing Scale Models
A convincing paint finish is essential for any model, be it military or civilian, aircraft, vehicles, figures or even background items such as terrain or buildings - and good airbrushing and finishing techniques can be the key to creating a superior model. Over the last few years there have been huge strides made in the development of airbrushes, paints and thinners, and consequently, this new book will provide up-to-date practical information and illustrated techniques to take full advantage of these new technologies.
Brett Green details the prerequisites of airbrushing, including the different types of spray equipment and air sources available, offering advice on appropriate thinners, paint ratios and air pressures to ensure the most appropriate paint coverage across a range of different airbrushing applications. He then examines various airbrushing techniques across a wide range of models. Ten step-by-step, illustrated case studies ranging from heavily weathered military aircraft to pristine, high gloss motor vehicles, science fiction models, fantasy figures, groundwork and buildings will complete this in-depth guide to getting the best results on your models.
Brett Green details the prerequisites of airbrushing, including the different types of spray equipment and air sources available, offering advice on appropriate thinners, paint ratios and air pressures to ensure the most appropriate paint coverage across a range of different airbrushing applications. He then examines various airbrushing techniques across a wide range of models. Ten step-by-step, illustrated case studies ranging from heavily weathered military aircraft to pristine, high gloss motor vehicles, science fiction models, fantasy figures, groundwork and buildings will complete this in-depth guide to getting the best results on your models.
192 pages, Spiral-bound
First published September 23, 2008
30 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 10, 2012
As a person returning to the hobby after almost two decades of absence, I was interested in refreshing my knowledge about model building in general and airbrush painting techniques in particular. Judging by the cover, this book seemed to fit the bill perfectly.
First impression of the content was very positive. The author starts with a consist but informative walkthrough of fundamentals - color theory, different types of paints (acrylics, enamels and lacquers), anatomy of an airbrush and how it should be maintained. Next comes the main part of the book, which is dedicated to airplane modelling. In it, Green provides step-by-step instructions for painting of different types of camouflage. Separate buildning projects are used to demonstrate single color, multi-color with hard edges, mottled camouflage patterns and bare metalic finish paintjobs. Every project is covered with a narrative and very attractive pictures illustrating the techniques that were implemented. Another, significantly shorter chapter is dedicated to tanks. Painting techniques of cars are covered by a single project and section about naval models can only be regarded as an afterthought slapped on just give the impression that the book covers all the bases.
In other words, this book is mostly usable for airplane modelers. That in itself is not necessarily a great problem, since same techniques can be used regardless of what type of the models one prefers to work with. But there is unfortunately a much bigger issue with this volume - in my opinion at least, the book isn't very pedagogical. Sure enough, the step-by-step descriptions supported by attractive pictures of models in different stages of painting process do provide a general idea of how the final result was achieved, but the author limits himself to telling the reader what he did, not how he did it. I am also of the opinion that photo material could have been used in a more effective manner - most of them show the whole models. It would have been far more useful if different techniques were illustrated by close-up pictures showing 'before', 'during' and 'after' stages.
'Airbrushing and Finishing Scale Models' is useful, but for abovementioned reasons I can't help feeling that it is also something of a lost opportunity. With just a little more effort and detail in the narrative, it could have been a very informative book. In current state it leaves this reader wishing for more.
First impression of the content was very positive. The author starts with a consist but informative walkthrough of fundamentals - color theory, different types of paints (acrylics, enamels and lacquers), anatomy of an airbrush and how it should be maintained. Next comes the main part of the book, which is dedicated to airplane modelling. In it, Green provides step-by-step instructions for painting of different types of camouflage. Separate buildning projects are used to demonstrate single color, multi-color with hard edges, mottled camouflage patterns and bare metalic finish paintjobs. Every project is covered with a narrative and very attractive pictures illustrating the techniques that were implemented. Another, significantly shorter chapter is dedicated to tanks. Painting techniques of cars are covered by a single project and section about naval models can only be regarded as an afterthought slapped on just give the impression that the book covers all the bases.
In other words, this book is mostly usable for airplane modelers. That in itself is not necessarily a great problem, since same techniques can be used regardless of what type of the models one prefers to work with. But there is unfortunately a much bigger issue with this volume - in my opinion at least, the book isn't very pedagogical. Sure enough, the step-by-step descriptions supported by attractive pictures of models in different stages of painting process do provide a general idea of how the final result was achieved, but the author limits himself to telling the reader what he did, not how he did it. I am also of the opinion that photo material could have been used in a more effective manner - most of them show the whole models. It would have been far more useful if different techniques were illustrated by close-up pictures showing 'before', 'during' and 'after' stages.
'Airbrushing and Finishing Scale Models' is useful, but for abovementioned reasons I can't help feeling that it is also something of a lost opportunity. With just a little more effort and detail in the narrative, it could have been a very informative book. In current state it leaves this reader wishing for more.
December 19, 2020
Fair
This is a fair book on scale modelling painting and finishing, but doesn't provide as much step by step instructions as I would have liked. The author focused on German models almost exclusively.
This is a fair book on scale modelling painting and finishing, but doesn't provide as much step by step instructions as I would have liked. The author focused on German models almost exclusively.
April 12, 2023
Great book covering many aspects of model painting.
November 30, 2016
This book can be used as a Airbrushing primer in general, just keep in mind the author presents what he does and not what you should do.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews