TankArt - Vol. 2 review....Posted

[406 Silverado]

TankArt
Vol. #2 by Rinaldi Studio Press

Mike Rinaldi continues to amaze us with another book show casing some of his fantastic modeling skills. As with vol.1 this book is packed with loads of information and techniques for painting and weathering Aliied Armor.

The first chapters cover different types of paints and weathering products, as well as Mike’s OPR (oil paint rendering). He also covers the hair spray technique on a JSU 152 and KV-I. The OPR is also shown on the JSU 152.

The first six chapters cover materials and products as in vol.1 but now we see how and what it looks like on green Allied tanks.

Mike uses and shows five models to demonstrate the different techniques as previously shown in the first few chapters, but now in more detail and step by step. Each step, or technique is explained by Mike so all can understand how and what he is doing and trying to achieve. The layering of OPR and other mediums are well described and easy to follow, makes you want to go to the bench and try it.

The finishes on the models range from a somewhat cleaner KV-1, to a heavily weathered Russian lend lease Churchill MKIII with faded white wash. There is an absolutely beautiful Char B1 sporting two types of green camo. The weathering and painting of this model is very inspiring and has made me want to buy this Tamiya kit.

The final chapter in vol.2 , as with vol.1, covers figures by Radek Pituch. The highlight are two German soldiers surrendering to a Russian soldier. The three figures are all sculpted by Radek himself and are very impressive and one of a kind. The German soldiers are seen exiting a subway some where in Berlin during the final stages of the war.

My thoughts about this book from RanaldiStudio press, an absolute must have. I spent a weekend going through the book, but spent more time on the 5 featured models than the techniques. Reason being that I am very familiar with them and after reading TankArt vol.1 I went ahead and experimented using the OPR technique with some success.

I have actually taken a couple of started KV-I tanks that I started some time ago, down off the shelf and will experiment some more using this book as reference. If you are into WWII armor, both Allied and Axis then both volumes are a must have.

[406 Silverado]

Just posted the quick review. Any one else have this book yet

[Leon]

Rob,I have this and volume 1.Both are great wealth of info and how to's.

[bbrowniii]

Hey Rob,
Thanks for the review. Book sounds great. How much is it?

[406 Silverado]

Boyd, they go for $29.95 or 1 & 2 for something like $54.
here is a link to rinaldistudiopress website. www.rinaldistudiopress.com/

[ogrejohn]

I can't get past Vol. 1 let alone start on Vol. 2! Both are fantastic!

[bigjohn]

I have been seriously thinking about buying both books all week. Money is tight and been trying to justify ordering them

[bullardino]

All I can say is that the OD chapter is something a US WWII builder must have. And all the book is worth every single cent you spend on it.

[bigjohn]

Jun 12, 2013 0:43:15 GMT -5 bullardino said:

All I can say is that the OD chapter is something a US WWII builder must have. And all the book is worth every single cent you spend on it.

Yeah, I ordered them last night

[406 Silverado]

John these books are awesome, you will love them. Mine are right here on my desk. After reading through vol 1 I built and painted the StuG and Tiger, using some of the techniques in the book. Now with vol 2 I will do a couple of KV's. I know when vol 3 comes out I'll be wanting to do some modern stuff lolol.

[Tony Thunder]

Nice review Rob !

I bought these a few weeks ago and agree pretty much with what has been said by others.

The one thing I would suggest to make them even better would be a DVD linked to the chapters showing the HOW!

I have always benefited from being shown how rather than having it described to me.

Having said that these books IMHO should be on the shelf of everyone who is interested in obtaining a realistic finish to their models.

Tony

[bigjohn]

Thanks rob, mike has been teasing me all week by posting those awesome pics on face book. I finally gave in and placed the order. LOL

[406 Silverado]

Well said Tony. And yes it's normal for most that 'seeing' works better for really understanding what and how a technique is used. That's one of the reasons why I did a workshop/seminar on rusting. It was an all day event with food and drinks (bar)in the price for the workshop. Everyone got to actually work on a piece. Doing is the best way to learn.


John, glad you gave in brother, you will love those books. gonna rder me the Char B1 kit sometime very soon so I can have at it.

[Leon]

Sure could have used VOL.3 on the 109 build .Guess i'll have to do another modern build when it comes out.

[bigjohn]

Jun 12, 2013 17:56:17 GMT -5 Leon said:

Sure could have used VOL.3 on the 109 build .Guess i'll have to do another modern build when it comes out.

Thats the spirit Leon

[Leon]

Thank John.I have something in mind,just need to find a kit review.

[Tobi]

I also own both volumes of TankArt from the very beginning, though I'm not yet through with volume 1.

And that's my only point of criticism: they are both not very readable!

Don't get me wrong. The information in there is great and the work of Mike Rinaldi is absolutely amazing.

But the print is very small with too few separating passages for my liking. The explanations outside the text take space and time and the captions in the photos do their share, also. I'm constantly hopping between these three during reading and in the end often can't remember what I actually read, swinging back and forth, reading it two or three times. Maybe this is because I'm no native speaker, but I find it rather tiring.

Apart from that very informative as said and great pictures, though up to the moment and scanning through the rest nothing new for me besides one exeption I will go to try.

Cheers,
Tobi

[406 Silverado]

Tobi,
It was a bit confusing fr me at first but then I got used to it, and also figured out 'how' to read it.
The main text, the 'description' tells about the model, technique etc. The text in the orange color boxes are the authors thoughts, or tips. And the third is the image captions or 'how to'. Once you get used to it it's pretty simple to read through.
We tend to get used to the magazine style of writing with simple short image captions. Magazines, books all have there own way of placing text and image captions.

[Tobi]

Jun 13, 2013 9:26:51 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

Tobi,
It was a bit confusing fr me at first but then I got used to it, and also figured out 'how' to read it.
The main text, the 'description' tells about the model, technique etc. The text in the orange color boxes are the authors thoughts, or tips. And the third is the image captions or 'how to'. Once you get used to it it's pretty simple to read through.
We tend to get used to the magazine style of writing with simple short image captions. Magazines, books all have there own way of placing text and image captions.

I fully agree and understand Rob and Michael explaines at the beginning of his first book the layout and what made him doing it that way.

It's new, it's different and I'm glad to have both books on my shelf, because of the high quality models in there. I hope I will get used to it also, but at the moment it requires my full attention for reading, which awfully slows me down.

Cheers,
Tobi

[Tobi]

Thank you Mike for your explanations. Also thank you for taking the time in writing these books and sharing your experience.

With "new" I was referring to the layout, compared to typical FAQ's and step-by-step books out there.

I agree that you can hardly come up with something new nowadays with the internet all around, but from time to time it happens.

I hope I can show something interesting on my current project, the Revell Leopard 2A4. The thread has not been started yet, but will be soon.

Cheers,
Tobi

[bullardino]

Mike, I think there's something new in your books, and it is the approach to the build. Your, rather than a full catalogue of techniques, is an approach to the model as whole. It's about the relations between techniques and areas, more than the single techinques (which are, btw, stunningly perfect). My 2c.

[406 Silverado]

Jun 14, 2013 17:17:43 GMT -5 @tankart said:

Cheers Luigi! Made my day mate. Glad you guys are grasping the overall concept with the series, that's the heart of it really.

Best,

Mike

www.facebook.com/RinaldiStudio
www.rinaldistudiopress.com

yeah but the bad part is that you can't put the damn books down. I have either the 1st or 2nd in my hands a few times a day. Man am I dying to paint something right now.

[wbill76]

Sounds like it should come with its own warning label Rob! "Warning: These books may cause an uncontrollable desire to paint and use the techniques contained within. Adult supervision and viewer discretion advised! Not suitable for styrene addicts under the age of 8 or over 100."

[deafpanzer]

Like Rob, I am still reading the first book! I keep it in my car since often I bring boys to doctor or dentist... perfect reading in the waiting room. That's why I haven't started reading the second issue... saving it for my next vacation. And it starts tomorrow! Packed along with other magazines for me to catch up!

[406 Silverado]

Jun 15, 2013 16:56:04 GMT -5 wbill76 said:

Sounds like it should come with its own warning label Rob! "Warning: These books may cause an uncontrollable desire to paint and use the techniques contained within. Adult supervision and viewer discretion advised! Not suitable for styrene addicts under the age of 8 or over 100."

[bigjohn]

Got my copies of Tankart yesterday. The first place I went to was the chapter on “painting Olive Drab”. Now I have been researching Olive Drab paints for the last few years and have collected many colors and brands to try out. Mike pretty much confirmed my thoughts on how dust and fading can alter the color and play an important role in searching for the “look”. I found that chapter to be very valuable with tons of information. Now I need to find something quickly to paint olive drab so I can try some of the tips I learnt by reading that chapter!!!

I also find the value of the books to be very reasonable compared to the quality of information contained in them. In other words, Highly Recommended!!!!!!!

[406 Silverado]

What did I tell you BJ. I knew you would love it.