Hi friends:
This week I've started a new batch of figures for my SYW project, a regiment of Von Kleist's Friekorps, an attractive uniform that has some interesting hussar elements. I've been test painting some figures to get a shade of dark green that I'm happy with, as per this plate in Summerfield's Prussian Friekorps and Jager of the SYW from Ken Trotman Publishing.
As you can see, it's a very dark, almost blackish green. The closest I have in my arsenal is an old bottle of Vallejo 896 Extra Dark Green, but the result isn't really dark enough to my mind.
I've tried hitting the figures with a Citadel green wash, but that hasn't really darkened it enough.
My idea before heading to bed was to try a dark/black wash over the Vallejo paint and see what happens, so I've done that and left a figure to dry, and we'll see what the morrow holds. If you have any suggestions that don't involve me buying more paint, I'd be grateful.
In the meantime, blessings to your brushes and I hope good things are happening on your workbench!
MP+
I quite like the shade your using Mike. Perhaps their uniforms are old and faded?
ReplyDeleteIt's tricky finding the right colours for uniforms without having to resort to spending more precious funds on yet more bottles of paint. I think though the black wash "might" work, but I'm worried it could cut out all of the green completely? Brown wash would get my vote.
ReplyDelete- Dai (Who can't log in for some reason right now!)
I reckon the green you've got looks pretty good! From the point of view of 'accuracy', one should bear in mind that dye batches of a given 'official' colour could vary considerably. Colour fastness could be problematical as well. If you're talking sartorial aesthetics - what looks good - well, that was one of the functions of uniform: to look good. That is the consideration that has led me to 'idealise' the garb of my own soldiery...
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Ion
Hello Padre - I did some Crimean Russians earlier this year and had similar challenges with their dark greens. Sometimes on the table, I find I need to use brighter shades so they look "right" at battle distances vice camera close-ups (some pics on my blog if you're interested). In any event this era pre-dates dye-fasteners & fixers so variation amongst them is warranted anyway, if that appeals to you.
ReplyDeletePS I am really attracted to 7YW also- I can see my FIW British collection growing in the future (like post retirement)
As I was reading your post I was just thinking about a green/black wash only to read that you had already had the same idea. Fingers crossed it gives you the look you are looking for, but I have to say that Paul makes a couple of very valid points above.
ReplyDelete