"WSS French White or Grey" Topic

What is the general consensus on uniform colour for the French in the WSS? Many sources quote grey but a lot of illustrations show white. Help appreciated!

Yes, grey or white, both are correct!

I painted mine in a very, very light grey. almost white but not.

In this period the variability of cloth quality, coupled with the lack of consistency in bleaches and dyes produced colors that varied from unit to unit throughout an army. In addition, one month into a campaign the rain, dirt, and sun produced changes throughout a campaign as many colors were not colorfast and white was very liable to acquiring grime and darkened by wear. This was a problem for many periods prior to modern methods, but was very noticeable in the late 17th and 18th century.

In my armies I have the French in a variety of whites from ivory to medium gray. This is consistent within units, but varied throughout the army. ( the theory for this is that each regimental Colonel would outfit his regiment using the same supplier at about the same time, but regiments of other Colonels would probably have different cloth suppliers and outfitted at different times. The different colonels would also probably be of different levels of wealth and more, or less, prone to graft which would effect the quality of cloth used.)

I also decided since the officers would have coats of superior cloth and construction, and they would be somewhat less exposed to the weather
and "road grime" that they would generally have "whiter" coats, with very
white coats being worn as one acquired more rank. An off white or ivory would be the best- bright white needs some tempering to allow for good texture and shading.

I sprayed mine light grey and drybrushed with white.

I used the Foundry Austrian white triad. When you put it next to white it looks gray and when you put it next to gray it looks white. I figure that's probably what one is aiming for.

Vallejo do a white grey with the French translation as 'Gris blanc'. I think this is the closest colour.

Either is allowed, they were changing over during this period.

Mine will be white, so my Austrians can be light grey (same issue)

I used a light grey for the Austrians, a medium grey for the French and a dark grey for the Dutch. But heck, mix-n-match 'em, nobody can tell you you're wrong.

Thanks everyone. Looks like it will be Vallejo Sky Grey!

in 6mm, I intend to do different units in different ways, 1. undercoat black, use a heavy wetbrush of 'neutral gray' then highlight with Citadel 'Celestra Grey'.

2. undercoat black, heavy wetbrush Celestra Grey, then highlight with Vallejo 'Ivory'.

As has been said before, the colours would vary radically depending on campaign conditions and the suppliers – the Colonel would just order grey or white cloth, depending on wealth, he would get good quality white, or a cheap bleached cloth that would fall apart, or a more natural woollen colour. So tinges of yellow as well.