Hi everybody!
It’s time for another review. Another double review, this
time about the book “Painting miniatures from A to Z – Angel Giraldez
Masterclass Volume 1” (wow! Wat a mouth full!) and the accompanying limited
edition miniature Joan of Arc from Infinity.
time about the book “Painting miniatures from A to Z – Angel Giraldez
Masterclass Volume 1” (wow! Wat a mouth full!) and the accompanying limited
edition miniature Joan of Arc from Infinity.
Before I start the review I would like to express two
personal bits of info. First, I don’t own an airbrush and I have also never
ever held one. What I’m saying is that I cannot truly give any thoughts on that
in this article. All I can say is, if Angel can do this with an airbrush, then
I am assuming it should at least be possible for everyone. Just to be clear, I
have absolutely no judgments regarding minis painted with airbrushes. To me it
is just another tool. One day I am sure I will paint using one myself, but at
the moment I have neither the money nor the space for it.
personal bits of info. First, I don’t own an airbrush and I have also never
ever held one. What I’m saying is that I cannot truly give any thoughts on that
in this article. All I can say is, if Angel can do this with an airbrush, then
I am assuming it should at least be possible for everyone. Just to be clear, I
have absolutely no judgments regarding minis painted with airbrushes. To me it
is just another tool. One day I am sure I will paint using one myself, but at
the moment I have neither the money nor the space for it.
Second, this book is totally based on Angel’s painting
style. While I am a big fan of this clean and vibrant style, you cannot argue
about taste. If this is not a style you like, I would not recommend the book
for you.
style. While I am a big fan of this clean and vibrant style, you cannot argue
about taste. If this is not a style you like, I would not recommend the book
for you.
The book
This is a A4 paperback book. The cover is sturdy and the
whole book feels solid (even a bit heavy perhaps). There are 118 pages, mostly
filled with clear, sharp pictures and accompanying text. The pages have a satin
finish and the colours are very vibrant, as the minis allow it. The font of the
text is quite small but since we are mini painters I think it will be big
enough for us ;).
whole book feels solid (even a bit heavy perhaps). There are 118 pages, mostly
filled with clear, sharp pictures and accompanying text. The pages have a satin
finish and the colours are very vibrant, as the minis allow it. The font of the
text is quite small but since we are mini painters I think it will be big
enough for us ;).
Content
The book consists of 4 sections: method, tips, techniques
and the masterclass section. When flipping through the pages it becomes
immediately obvious that this book is all about step-by-steps (sbs). The first
modules are only a few pages long and starting from page 22 the sbs begin. The
first pages give a good introduction into Angel’s painting method, using both
brush and airbrush. It covers the steps he takes and the materials and paints
he uses. The ‘techniques’ section decribes the different painting techniques
(like stippling etc) that are used in the sbs in the book.
and the masterclass section. When flipping through the pages it becomes
immediately obvious that this book is all about step-by-steps (sbs). The first
modules are only a few pages long and starting from page 22 the sbs begin. The
first pages give a good introduction into Angel’s painting method, using both
brush and airbrush. It covers the steps he takes and the materials and paints
he uses. The ‘techniques’ section decribes the different painting techniques
(like stippling etc) that are used in the sbs in the book.
The masterclass section shows all the sbs of 11 miniatures,
including the limited edition mini that comes with the book. For each painted
miniature there is a clear photo of each step, which goes from about 40 to
higher steps. The differences between each step are very clear and it is always
indicated if Angel painted with a brush or airbrush. You might recall these
drawing books where the first three steps are easy to do and then the last step
shows the completed drawing which is completely different from all previous
steps. Well, this is not the case in this book. All steps are covered,
including which paints are used, but perhaps some nuances are skipped.
including the limited edition mini that comes with the book. For each painted
miniature there is a clear photo of each step, which goes from about 40 to
higher steps. The differences between each step are very clear and it is always
indicated if Angel painted with a brush or airbrush. You might recall these
drawing books where the first three steps are easy to do and then the last step
shows the completed drawing which is completely different from all previous
steps. Well, this is not the case in this book. All steps are covered,
including which paints are used, but perhaps some nuances are skipped.
The miniatures in the sbs cover a large variety of figures.
Some big mechanical units, other humans and even two busts. The colours used
also vary a lot, making this a good reference when you have to chose your
paints for a certain colour.
Some big mechanical units, other humans and even two busts. The colours used
also vary a lot, making this a good reference when you have to chose your
paints for a certain colour.
Overall
Let’s do this fast ;). If you are a fan of Angel’s painting
style and paint with both brush and airbrush, this is definitely a great book
for you! For me as a brush-painter it will be hard to replicate some steps as
they are just so much more easy to achieve with an airbrush. When I do get my
hands on one, this will be a great reference though. I think this book will be
awesome for both army painters as well as display painters. I do think that
display painters will likely some more steps and army painters probably a lot
less. Angel’s results are simply amazing so it can be done this way!
style and paint with both brush and airbrush, this is definitely a great book
for you! For me as a brush-painter it will be hard to replicate some steps as
they are just so much more easy to achieve with an airbrush. When I do get my
hands on one, this will be a great reference though. I think this book will be
awesome for both army painters as well as display painters. I do think that
display painters will likely some more steps and army painters probably a lot
less. Angel’s results are simply amazing so it can be done this way!
If you are looking for a book that covers a lot of theory, I
would suggest you to look elsewhere (for example this excellent book or on
Massive Voodoo’s amazing list of tutorials). But if you are looking for
beautiful pictures, clear sbs on how to recreate Angel’s works this is your
pick :).
would suggest you to look elsewhere (for example this excellent book or on
Massive Voodoo’s amazing list of tutorials). But if you are looking for
beautiful pictures, clear sbs on how to recreate Angel’s works this is your
pick :).
Miniature – Joan of Arc
As that was already a long story, let’s keep this short ;).
Joan of Arc is a limited 30mm metal miniature from the
Infinity range of Corvus Belli. She is from the army Panoceania. The mini comes
in a ziplock bag that is contained in a blister package, and consists of 4
parts: the main body, her head, and two separate arms with sword and scabbard. While the pose is quite static, I think the choice of having her look over her shoulder is a very interesting one. It is different, which is good, IMHO!
Infinity range of Corvus Belli. She is from the army Panoceania. The mini comes
in a ziplock bag that is contained in a blister package, and consists of 4
parts: the main body, her head, and two separate arms with sword and scabbard. While the pose is quite static, I think the choice of having her look over her shoulder is a very interesting one. It is different, which is good, IMHO!
I can be very clear about this. This mini is of amazing
quality! The cast is incredibly clean, all edges are very well defined. This
has to be the best metal cast that I have seen in years! There is some flash on
the sculpt, but they are in areas where it is easily removed. I only see a
small moldline on one of her feet and that is also easy to remove. This cast
quality really excites me, maybe I should have a look at other Infinity models
too!
quality! The cast is incredibly clean, all edges are very well defined. This
has to be the best metal cast that I have seen in years! There is some flash on
the sculpt, but they are in areas where it is easily removed. I only see a
small moldline on one of her feet and that is also easy to remove. This cast
quality really excites me, maybe I should have a look at other Infinity models
too!
Assembly should also be super easy. There are square protrusions
on her arms that perfectly match indents on the body. What a breeze!
on her arms that perfectly match indents on the body. What a breeze!
I guess it must be pretty clear that I am absolutely
thrilled by the quality of this limited miniature.
thrilled by the quality of this limited miniature.
I hope you all enjoyed this review. For more reviews, check the review section of this blog. Let me know what you
thought about the book & mini!
thought about the book & mini!
