"Painting Austerlitz 2nd Dec." Topic

I'm interested in how our painting may relate to actual uniforms used in battle and the terrain we make.

In photos of re-enactments, the details of uniforms in anything except full sunlight (bearing in mind that winter in north eastern Europe doesn't permit of too much direct sunlight!)are dull – especially their lower halves.

Winter gear, is somewhat less colourful than we might see on gaming figures.

But perhaps I was intregued most by the fit of the clothes: most models show uniforms draped elegantly, following body contours and draping gracefully with gravity.

On real people, you're aware that winter gear is thick wool or hessain (thinner cotton was just not available). It lies ungainly, coats stick out at the bottom, uniforms look ill-fitting, even if they are not.

What do you think? Here are some Austerlitz re-enactment photos for comparison:

The full text and re-enactment photos can be seen here
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or at the direct link here:
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Very nice pictures and some interesting thoughts. I'd say the reenactors in the pictures are way to clean, they certainly don't look like soldiesr that spend the last months campaigning through europe.

To the subject of painting figures first to consider are sthe sculpts. Most manufacturers sculpt neutral or summer dress on their figures and it's hardly possible to paint a unit that arrives in nicely sculpted parade uniform as winter war veterans.
Not a napoleonic example but the Boltaction winter SS are figures that are suited very well for your idea on winter euqipment. The clothing look like they would wear several coats and especially the trousers are sculpted in a way that they look like they wouldn't fit the soldiers very well. A great little feature that gives them a very realistic touch. They can easily painted in dirtied up campaign look.