Blue, Sky Blue ??

[stev1eran]

At present I am in the process of painting Verlinden's 120mm Trumpeter of 5th Hussars. The art work on the box shows that the pelisse, dolman facings and shako are all blue, and this looks more like a royal blue. I have been reading Histoire & Collections-Officers and Soldiers of the French Hussars which states that these should be sky blue. I have given all of them a base coat with citadel acrylic 61-36 Ice blue but I'm not sure which shade of blue or for that matter which oils I should use . There also appears to be some confussion with the plume - the box shows white but the book says base of plume black with the top being red.
I have tried looking at some sites mentioned on PF but cant seem to find anything. Can any of you fellow members enlighten me please.

Thanks
Steve

 

[scooterdog]

Steve, I believe the French sky blue was actually closer to a med blue rather than light blue. I,ll look through my references for info on the plume.

Chris C.

 

[pkess]

Steve,
FRench Sky Blue is a much darker blue then we typically expect. There is an existing 5th Hussar Officer's uniform which is photographed in many uniform books and is the basis for the 90mm Hussar officer from Metal Models.
When I painted mine, I used Daniel Smith Indanthrone Blue with a little Tit White added. Any of the darker blue oil colrs can be used, just lighten them with a white and add a little indigo or sepia to keep it from being too bright.

 

[Einion]

Originally posted by pkess@Oct 5 2005, 01:42 PM
FRench Sky Blue is a much darker blue then we typically expect. ...Any of the darker blue oil colrs can be used, just lighten them with a white and add a little indigo or sepia to keep it from being too bright.

Good advice here, we often paint blues a little too saturated and a little light.

By the way, what's the date of the figure Steve?

Einion

 

[stev1eran]

Einion,
The figure is not dated on Verlinden's box it is 120 scale.
I believe that it is from the period 1804 - 1812 but I cannot be certain.

 

[nagashino]

Hi Steve

I think I have seen somewhere that trumpeters of 5th Hussars wore "No 2" dress consisting of an all-scarlet surtout with white lapels and blue shako in the period 1808-12. The plume was red over black with this rig. The standard colours for the 5th were sky blue with white turnbacks and pelisse but trumpeters would possibly have worn reversed colours. I have a reference (Bukhari) showing bue dolman and scarlet breeches for dress uniform, with scarlet pelisse and white shako with yellow plume. Barrel sash crimson and gold. Yellow/gold braiding and lace.

Now I know why I don't do Napoleonics any more :lol:

Hope this helps

Best regards

Phil

 

[stev1eran]

Thanks Phil,

It all gets confusing

I think thats why we like the challenge, but honestly I want to move away from Napoleonics but still have a number of figures not yet started.

I haven't decided what period to concentrate on. I thought that Euro might give me some ideas, problem was too many great figures out there.

I will just have to keep looking!

Steve