Jan Leo – My rule: beautiful, emotion

Who is Giang Xuan Le?

Giang Xuan Le a.k.a. Jan Leo is modeler from Vietnam, 30 y.o., University Teacher by profession, founder of PARACELMINIATURES. Married.

The Passion Behind the Models…

OK, Jan, let’s get started! When did you first start modeling, and can you remember how you got into it? What was your first model?

When I was child I loved everything about history and soldiers. After I finished the University of Fine Arts I found a model kit in a bookstore. Very cheap, very stupid but that was my first model.

From then until now, you’re one of those people who took their hobby to the next level, becoming not just a modeler but a manufacturer. When did you start sculpting figures? Was it during university, or did it come later, when you started modeling? Are you a sculptor who became a modeler, or a modeler who became a sculptor?

 I became a model first and started to sculpt figures after that. I love figures, bought many of them to study how to sculpt and paint. My skills from school help me to do this I think.

The first big challenge was the sculpting material and the know-how. Most of the sculptors in Vietnam don’t know how to make small figures even with normal clay. Then I discovered epoxy from Tamiya.

Paints & Materials

Tamiya putty is pretty expensive, isn’t it?

Yes it is. But I found one to replace. And use it until now. Can’t say it’s cheaper, but I am satisfied with it.

We’ll keep the sculpting material a secret for now, I see, since you didn’t mention the brand. 🙂 Enamels, oils, or acrylics? What’s your preferred type of paint? From your point of view, which one is the best?

I like to use acrylics. For health reasons in general. There is no bad smell and headache from them.

Top Brands

What about paint brands? Which ones are your favorites, and what brand do you generally use? Do you buy pre-made colors or mix your own?

Sometimes I mix paints, yes. But I love to use Vallejo acrylic paints. There is never enough Vallejo color set in here.

Your NVA-painted figures are highly praised in many online reviews. Can you share a tip with modelers on how to paint NVA uniforms? What colors do you recommend using?

Well, I mixed too many colors to produce this color. In the mix there are light green, dark green and Russian green in general. I don’t have some exact proportions, just mix until I have the color I need.

You mentioned earlier that you’re in love with figures. If we set aside PARACELMINIATURES, which I believe you love the most, what are your top three brands for figures?

The three brands I like much to paint are Evolution miniatures, Bravo 6 and Alpine miniatures. I learned so much from them.

Rules & Secrets

Can you share some modeling tips with our audience? Perhaps a milestone technique that you use repeatedly in every build. Rule or an important tip, in your opinion?

Well…to me there is no rule for modeling. Secret is no secret. All tips I use I learn from many master modelers. And everyone knows those tips from the internet I think. My rule: beautiful, emotion.

And that’s an important rule! So, do you believe there are things you still need to learn or improve on?

I think I need to update my airbrush skills.

On figures!?

Yes, and on AFVs too.

Scratchbuild Materials

You often scratch-build diorama structures. What’s your favorite material: paper, polystyrene sheets, cardboard, or something else?

I use foam, plaster… Everything that’s easy to find and cheap. Try to make beautiful things from almost nothing. I will not spend too much money for what I can do by myself. Also my rule. 🙂

PARACELMINIATURES

Can you share what upcoming series you plan to make next year for PARACELMINIATURES, or is it a secret?

The NVA series will continue, that’s sure. There will be more in the WW2 series. I also want to make a Korean war series. But I need time to study.

Does the continuation of the NVA series also mean a Vietcong series? To be honest, before your NVA series appeared, I only thought of Vietnam soldiers as Vietcong guerrilla fighters. That’s how they were portrayed in movies, and those were the figures Dragon presented in the past.

Yes, for sure Vietcong will also come, patience! 🙂

Do you plan to create items typical for Vietcong fighters, like interiors for tunnel-connected shelters in the jungle, bunkers, and so on?

Not planned for now. But maybe if I have enough time. Sometimes I work not as planned but following my inspiration.

Do you design, sculpt, and cast every figure yourself?

Yes. All figures of PARACELMINIATURES are sculpted by me. Many times at night I work. But I don’t complain, I am lucky to do things I love. To sculpt is my passion.

That’s a huge time investment! And here comes the million-dollar question for every married modeler: How do you manage your time at home between modeling and household duties?

The brand PARACELMINIATURES is not only me, it’s also and my wife. Its family company founded and running only by two of us. As I said I do thing I love and she understand that and give me my time for modeling and sculpting.

Online Presence & Showcasing

Where can we see or buy more of your dioramas and figures?

You can find more pictures of my works and current projects on our Facebook page Also for purchase or just to see more pictures of my works you can visit our webpage: www.paracelminiatures.com

Thanks for your time, mate! Did you enjoy our conversation?

Haha! I wonder what I look like in an interview. 🙂

Well… maybe we both look like zombies in Tamiya T-shirts!? 🙂

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