color help

[Wendy]

I feel a bit silly asking this, but...
I'm painting 1812 guys for someone. He sends the guys and tells me what colors to paint them. Usually, I supplement his instructions with my own research, but this time I haven't been able to find anything. He sent a unit of 1812 7th New York Dragoons (25mm) and the color to use on the pants is buff yellow. Has anyone painted these before? If so, can you give me an approximation of the color I should use on the pants or just an example of the color? I use Vallejo paints, by the way. If I can see it, I can mix it...

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Regards,
Wendy

 

[PJ Deluhery]

Hi Wendy,

It's a little off my time period, but I'll try to help you.

I could not find a picture reference for the 7th NY Dragoons, so I'm going on general information here. (The good news here is that no one can prove you wrong! )

"Buff yellow" is a yellowish beige. I have seen it done from almost an off white to a very yellow - almost ochre. So I think you have some room. You could start with yellow ochre and add white or start with a tan and make it a little yellow. I'm an oils guy, so I have no advice on acrylic mixutres.

Here are some toy soldiers with what I would call buff yellow pants. Hope this is helpful.

Buff

(scroll down to the ARW figures)

 

[Einion]

Originally posted by PJ Deluhery@Dec 20 2005, 11:55 PM
"Buff yellow" is a yellowish beige. I have seen it done from almost an off white to a very yellow - almost ochre. So I think you have some room.

I think you're right here, just on general principles - uniform colours in the past could often vary a great deal and lighter, duller colours would be subject to huge variation depending on producer, the dyes uses, length in the field etc. etc.

Wendy, if you have Burnt Umber or another dark earth in your Vallejos try white + BU + a little ochre, should give you something about right.

Einion

 

[Wendy]

Very helpful. Thank you. :lol: