Anyone interested in the "Spanish School" heavy weather approach to armor modeling might want to check out Michael Rinaldi's "Tank Art I: WWII German Armor" available from Rinaldi Studio Press for $29. The author has a background in industrial design and finds his interest in painting and weathering armor as opposed to super-detailing. The book has an introductory chapter concerning materials and an approach to general subjects like priming, base coat, washes, pigments etc. It is followed by five long case studies of German armor kits. As implied in the title the author looks at the kit as a canvas - for the most part how you create the canvas is up to you although some reference is made to after market parts because they create different challenges to weathering. The chapters are stuffed with eye candy. Considering the aim of the book, this is a good idea although I find the graphics a little busy. There are some very complex techniques employed and illustrating and explaining the multiple steps employed is worth the candle. Personally I find the approach far more useful than the normal "how to" book done by Osprey or others on "Modeling the Tiger 12 in 1/6 Scale" which is a collection of five or six photo builds keyed scratch building and after market accessories. I've never been quite sure who such books are aimed at - if you're interested in spending $100 on resin accessories, metal tracks and PE you might not need much instruction on working with them. If you're not (and I'd guess that's the bulk of the armor community, at least on some days) it's a lot of data of very limited value.
Because Rinaldi's book is keyed toward several quite different end effects it would be a simple matter to substitute another kit (wouldn't have to be German) for the "Initial Production" DML Tiger that he uses to illustrate winter camo. Want a DAK vehicle? Follow the bouncing ball on his chapter that uses a Panzer IVD as a canvas. Oddly, Rinaldi doesn't devote a chapter to a standard three color vehicle unless that's what he's after in a very detailed approach toward an "ambush scheme" Hetzer. The author employs a lot of new products from MIG and AK but not to the extent that the book should be looked at as an "informercial" the way some of AK or MIG's DVDs are. (I like them too, but they're certainly encourage modelers to buy the publisher's products. I'll add my one gripe here. I don't see why an modeler needs a multitude of colors in oils - about four or five should do - and people buying Abteilung or other oils from modeling companies are paying far more per ounce than the finest oil paints available in the art world. Good reason to head to an artist supply store. Some of the student grade collections from companies like Reeves would probably serve perfectly well and they go for about a buck a tube. If you think "fine" equals good, you might want to check artist pigments from companies like Sennelier or Gamblin that are designed for oil painters that make their own paints - remarkable stuff and half the price per volume than anything from the modelling world.)
The resulting models look a whole lot like the kind of work you'd expect from Mig Jimenez or Adam Wilder. Rinaldi is quite open about the fact that he isn't necessarily reproducing reality. No doubt, but the results are really impressive models. (Also a brief chapter on figures.) When you consider the book is 200 pages long, in large format, and jammed with material, I'd rate it as a steal for $29. Maybe Mig Jimenez's "FAQ2" is a little more comprehensive, but it also costs $80.
This is the first in what will be a series. Looks like many modeling places either are out or don't carry it. As of today it was available from the publisher.
Thumbs up from me.
Eric
http://www.rinaldistudiopress.com/index.php?_a=product&product_id=1