David Parker’s Crew School

Published: AFV Modeller
ISBN No: 978-0-993 5646-7-3
Soft back, A4 format, 112 pages, full colour throughout
Available from AFV Modeller

Review with Bill Curtis

This book is printed on good quality paper and the images are first rate. The techniques covered are painting, adapting figures, conversions and sculpting.

This volume starts with an introduction which finishes with David’s comment…

‘The aim of this book is to provide a guide to making the most of your tank crew figures, showing simple techniques to adapt stock figures and then building and developing these techniques right through to more advanced sculpting solutions. Alongside these we will look at a basic face painting technique that I have developed for working in 1:35 which should help overcome the fear of face painting and provide a solid basis for getting the best out of your tank crew figure.’

The first chapter is on basic face painting which uses a two shades technique which is basically a base and two light and two dark tones from the Lifecolor Flesh set CS-13. The different shades of colours can be intermixed to give a gradual change of tone that gives a more realistic appearance. There follows four pages of graphics showing where to put the various colours and then a few pages of actual figures and some of the larger scale figures.

Uniform Approach is the next section and this starts with how to paint a shirt again with graphic illustrations of the process covered in two full pages. Camouflage is then covered with a German WWII uniform covered in the same fashion as previously shown.

Striking a pose is next with the adaption of various stock figures by amputating arms and legs using wire to reposition and filler to make good the limb. The next part is creating creases and shows the way material behaves when the arm is in different positions. This is then followed by sculpting fabric with some photos of this process being carried out.

The following pages show some of David’s models with crew figures and a WWI factory scene with modified figures.

The biggest part of the book is the sculpting of figures with the use of mannequins and how to sort out the pose of the figure through to completion.

The last part of this volume covers various models with their figures which is very inspirational. At the end of the book we have an appendix on tools and materials including how to work with Magic Sculp and Sylmasta green stuff, sculpting tools, scalpels, Paints and Good Quality Brushes.

A final note from the author is one item that cannot be bought anywhere and that is PRACTICE and learn from mistakes!

Conclusions

I first saw this book at the Peterborough show here in the UK and had a quick look through and decided I had enough books on figure painting. On the way home I decided that was a mistake and ordered a copy from Book World Wholesale. I was not disappointed as the painting guide is worth the cover price alone.

Over the years I have converted a few figures to fit the need of various dioramas but having read this volume my efforts had not been very well thought out. This volume has changed that as the techniques in the book are well laid out and all one needs is the practice and time to hone ones skills.

Bill C.