MODELING BOOKS

Find the best modeling books and magazines to level up every build. This collection brings together practical guides, richly illustrated references, and step-by-step tutorials created by leading authors and publishers in the hobby. Whether you’re just starting or refining expert techniques, you’ll find focused knowledge that turns “how do I do this?” into “done.”

What you’ll find in this collection

Explore an all-in-one library covering the major modeling topics and formats you use most:

• Airbrush & finishing: primers, varnishes, color theory, masking, pre/post-shading, modulation, weathering flows, and troubleshooting common spray issues.

• Subject references: aircraft walk-arounds, armor/AFVs, ships, cars, and sci-fi/mecha with color plates, camouflage schemes, and detail photos for accuracy.

• Dioramas & scenery: groundwork, water effects, muds, pigments, vegetation, snow, ice, and storytelling composition for cinematic scenes.

• Figure painting: skin tones, fabrics, NMM, OSL, glazing, and fast gaming methods.

• Workflow & planning: from prepping parts and seam work to subassemblies, decal handling, and final presentation.

This collection includes single-topic handbooks, technique encyclopedias, and magazines with seasonal themes and masterclass articles—ideal for quick wins and deep dives alike.

Sub-collections to navigate faster

Jump into focused shelves that mirror how modelers actually search and build:

• Airbrush – compressor setup, nozzle care, paint thinning ratios, and advanced effects.

• Aircraft – interior/exterior detailing, weathering for panels, rivets, and exhausts.

• Dioramas – materials, textures, water, and scenic composition.

• Figures – skin, fabrics, metallics, and display bases.

• Mecha / Sci-fi – chipping, panel lining, luminous effects, and hard-edge masking.

• Military – armor finishes, mud and dust layering, tracks, and stowage.

• Modelling (general) – fundamentals, tool use, planning, and complete project walkthroughs.

Use these lanes to go straight to the knowledge that helps today’s project.

Why buy your references here 

We curate titles that are practical at the bench—clear photos, repeatable recipes, and products you can source from SprayGunner. Each book is selected for:

• Actionable techniques: materials, ratios, and steps you can follow without guesswork.

• High-impact imagery: close-ups of surfaces, finishes, and weathering stages.

• Skill growth: structured lessons from beginner basics to expert effects, so you always know your next step.

Pair what you read with tools, paints, and mediums available in the store to replicate the results right away.

Tips to get the most from your modeling books

Start with a goal (e.g., “faded NATO camo” or “realistic sea water”). Mark pages with sticky tabs and keep a scrap model or spoon set for test passes before committing to your build. When following recipes, note paint lines and ratios used in the book and swap only one variable at a time. For dioramas, sketch the story frame (foreground, subject, negative space) before adding texture—composition drives realism more than any single product.

Shop now at SprayGunner!