Painting Wargaming Figures

Axis Forces on the Eastern Front

By Andy Singleton
134 pages Paperback
Casemate Publications

Painting Wargaming Figures, Axis Forces on the Eastern Front is a book dedicated to painting the smaller scale figures 28mm and smaller. That is not to say that the hints and tips that are presented in this book cannot be used for larger scale figures. From my own personal experience, having painted figures and models from 250mm down to 1/285^th scale, I can tell you that many of the examples provided in this book are applicable across all ranges. However, where the specialty comes into play is that this book is focused on World War II Axis Forces that fought on the Eastern Front.

The contents of this book is divided into nine chapters and they are;

 

Chapter One begins by explaining the use of tools and providing modeling advice. You are shown the different types of cutters, knives and files that fan be used on your figures. In my opinion one of the most important sections in this chapter has to do with the caring for your paint brushes. Out of all the tools in your tool box to me your paint brushes are the most important. Without high quality brushes your project will suffer. I prefer to use Kolinsky sable brushes when I paint and have found them to be the best brushes available for miniatures. They may be expensive, but they provide the best results.

Chapter One is further divided into different sections with each section looking at a different subject. The sections in Chapter One are:

• Plastic, metal, or resin
• Knives, cutters, and files
  • Hobby Knife
  • Side Cutters
  • Files
• Glues
• Filler
• Paint, Primer, and Spray Cans
• Paint Brushes and Care
• Painting Techniques
  • Dry Brushing
  • Layering
  • Washing and Glazing
• Assembling Figures
• Painting Guides
• Scales

When we are discussing scales in figure collecting, its important to know what the different scales are and how they relate not only to each other but also to scales in different hobbies. The table below illustrates how the scales relate to the Model Railroad hobby.

 

In Chapter Two we begin by looking at the Wehrmacht Uniforms which were the uniforms that were most worn by the German military during World War II. Right from the beginning we learn that Feldgrau or field grey is a greyish-green tone that was used to dye the wool used by German uniform production. The first uniform that is illustrated is the Field Grey Uniform. You are shown in 6 steps to what the author feels is the best method for painting this type of figure. As you go through steps, he also gives you a guide of which paints he feels are the best to use to achieve the result for this uniform.

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The remaining chapters in the book follow the same format as the examples illustrated above. You are provided with the paint Brush Used, the Color used and the Paint Used for each uniform. Throughout the book, for each army covered, you will find that approximately 7 steps or colors are needed to provide the painter with the best results for the figure.

Skin Tones and Basing

The last two chapters of the book many readers may find of particular interest. These chapters deal with painting skin tones and basing. Skin Tones allows the painter to vary the look of each figure while make only subtle changes to the painting of the uniform. Also, Basing allows the figure painter to again vary the look of the figure on the base with only minor changes to the figure itself. By varying only the Skin Tones or figure Basing, you can create all different types of scenes with only minor changes thereby adding depth and interest to your figure collection.

Summary

 

Painting Wargame Figures, Axis Forces on the Eastern Front is an excellent guide and reference book. While the author deals with 28mm scale or wargame scale figures, the reader can apply the lessons learned to almost any scale. If you are a modeler and wish to enhance your figure painting skills, this is a book you will find of interest. It provides the reader with a plethora of information for painting figures that modelers can use to take their painting skills to the next level. I can’t tell you the large number of excellent dioramas/vignettes that I have seen over the years that were truly outstanding, only to fall short and not win any medals because of the poor quality of figure painting. To me, no matter what scale of figure painting from ZZ Scale up to 120mm scale and larger, the lessons presented in this book are well applied to any scale. Finally, the color photographs used throughout this book illustrate each painting step for the uniforms that were worn on the Eastern Front during World War II and will improve and add experience to any Wargamer, Figure Painter and Modeler who purchases this book.

This 134 page paperback book is available from Castmate Publications for

Paperback $26.95

For the Direct Link to this books page on the Casemate Publications website, please click HERE.

(The photographs used in this review are copied with the express permission of Casemate Publications.)