Prussian Blue Help

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Scott Sheltz

PlanetFigure Supporter
Joined
Oct 30, 2003
Messages
895
I am working on the Heroes and Villains Infantryman Franco-Prussian 26th Regiment, 1870-71. I am struggling to find the right shade of "Prussian" blue for the tunic. I have used Vallejo Dark Prussian Blue and it looks to dark. I tried a royal blue as well and it is even darker and glossy.

Any suggestions?

I
 
Scott,

If you look at the actual uniforms here:
https://www.kaisersbunker.com/dunkelblau/tunics/ you will see the shade varies.

Mike Blank suggests lightening Prussian Blue with a warm light grey or even a light pinkish tone. I am also wondering if you might darken the Royal Blue with some Prussian Blue or vice versa. Just a thought. Sorry I can't be more helpful.

Chris
 
I would suggest that Vallejo Dark Prussian blue is if anything too light , and too vivid to represent Indigo dyed uniforms. All dark blue uniforms, at least until near the end of the 19c , were dyed with Indigo, which creates a very dark purplish blue, often a sort of blue-black. It gets dusty and dirty , but scarcely fades.
Might I suggest adding a little Flat Red to the Dk. Prussian Blue, which should get you to a more indigo shade.

Incidentally , the artificial pigment Prussian Blue, has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with the dyeing of uniforms, Prussian or otherwise. I was first synthesised as an artificial pigment ( NOT dyestuff) in about 1715 in Prussia, hence the name. It's incredibly vivid, if undiluted by other pigments, but unfortunately it's widely used in model paints, where it creates an intense , rather unrealistic effect.
 
Chris and Tony,

Thank you for the suggestions. I will experiment with and see what I get.
 
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