"NAPOLEONIC FRENCH BLUE DIFFERENCES" Topic

I'm starting to pait some Front Rank miniatures of
FRENCH LINE INFANTRY
FRENCH LIGHT VOLTIGEURS
I had information regarding what to paint but not sure if the the blue is the same.
I mean:
The blue color that i use for Voltigeurs complete Uniform is the same for the Line infantry jacket.
Otherwise not only there are differences about uniform but also about color tone.
Thanks for you hel in advance

Regards

I paint usually over White and then wash. I use Vallejo Model.

I use the same blue for french line and light uniforms.

Same color for all French infantry.

Good.
What blue do you use/suggest?
I have vallejo model color

841 Andrea Blue (too light I think)
899 Dark Prussia Blue
963 Medium Blu
965 Prussian Blue

I'll paint over white or grey and no highlight,
just primer, color and maybe wash (mud or black)
Thanks a lot

Andrea Blue is way, way too light and bright. The real thing was often not far off appearing almost black. Many use variations around Prussian Blue. I use a dark royal blue that I mix up (not VJ paints) and wash with black.

I'm always scared to have too dark miniatures.
The pleasure of viewing a miniature is the overall view of the blend of different colors, for FRENCH white/blue/black
In some case you have a right and pleasant view of the different colors and shades that compose a miniature under the painting lens/light.
After you discover over the less lighted game table that you are not able to make distinctions between for example dark blue and black.

To complicate matters is the fact that sun, wear and tare, age, etc. changed the colors over a campaign.

I know the trend is to be realistic but I still like my troops to look like they came off the parade ground… :-)

Nick,

Personally I start with the dark Prussian blue for a base, go to Prussian blue for my mid-tone, and mix a bit fo Andrea or Flat blue in with the Prussian blue for highlights. I prime black, but I think it would work just as well over white.

It depends what size figures you are painting: the smaller they are, the lighter the blue required.

It also depends at what distance you need them to look obviously blue and French. :-)

Compensating for the physical size of miniatures is a delicate business and as Fighting 15's writes, essentially you still want the figure to look as if he's wearing a very miniature version Napoleonic French jacket. Go too light and particularly too bright and I don't feel you get that impression. YMMV.

I paint mine dark 'cos I like them like that and somehow when based tightly, shoulder to shoulder I feel my small 'dark' battalions of just 18 figures have more of a sense of mass than perhaps so few castings should really be able to convey. Conversely whilst I try to copy the real uniforms I've seen, even if they do tend towards drab and dark hues, I paint on white undercoat… works for me.

Well a lot of informations.

@Twininghman Good informations but I usually paint with only one color and then wash. I'm really bad with highliths.

@Timmo uk i paint 28 for skirmish only.

I'll do my best to made some color tests soon and post images

Nick,

go to xanminiatures.com

the French in the pictures is Vallejo 965 Prussian Blue and Vallejo 963 Medium blue for highlights. i may have the numbers reversed.

Here following 2 images:

Left Leg VMC 899 Dark Prussian
Right Leg/Left Arm VMC 963 Medium Blue
Right Arm VMC 965 Prussia Blue

Normal Room Light
postimage.org/image/e8h7bnvrn

Painting lamp light 5400K 30W
postimage.org/image/8j0yrcplf

No Black/Sepia wash for now
I painted shakos with Black Green just to understand how it looks over white (bad thing)

Nick,

Given your painting style I'd go with the Prussian Blue.The Dark Prussian Blue is probably more accurate, but IMO would look too dark on the table.

I painted shakos with Black Green just to understand how it looks over white (bad thing)

It is never a bad thing to experiment with your paints and colour Nick, that how most of us accumulate new techniques and little tricks.

regards
dave

It is never a bad thing to experiment with your paints and colour Nick, that how most of us accumulate new techniques and little tricks.

Yes Dave, I totally agree with you and I always keep spare and damaged minis for tests.
I meant that considering that I have to paint also some 95Rifle British infantry I wanted to see how 980 black green look over white primer.
I realized that it does not cover enough and probably I'll shift to grey primer as I usually do.

Regards
Nick

My French legre are a little darker than my ligne. It gives the slight variance you see in pictures.

The coat is almost black and the white lapels are a very light cream. Look at reenactors' uniforms.

I like to use Prussian Blue for Garde troops and Navy blue for Ligne/Legere.

I also use a dark blue with black added. Use straight dark blue for the highlights.

The lapels (and turnbacks) take that cream color from being part of the woolen uniform which cannot be washed. Breeches, trousers, vests and gaiters were washable, so appear brighter (when clean).

If you want to make it complicated, try asking about French "sky blue."