Question on XVIII and XIX straps and webbing

[iceman]

Is there a correct colour for these? I often see finished work done with white straps, slings and webbing and I'm not sure that this is 100% accurate, in all the painting instructions for David Grieve, Post Militaire and Andreas Miniature figures that I have it states that they are whitened leather, which to me would be more of a beige, certainly that's the colour that I've gone with on my latest figure of a British private, 10th Hussars at Waterloo 1815. I'll post some images later when I can.

I am new to this and it is after all only my 6th figure so any help from the more experienced and better painters would be greatly appreciated.

On my 5th figure (see posting in New to figures titled just finished my 5th figure) , it represents a Grenadier of the 1st of Foot 1751 (David Grieve) and there the painting instruction was whitened leather, plus the only reference I could find was a set of postcards of the Grenadiers through the ages shows it as more beige/brown than white.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Tim

 

[Blind Pew]

Dear Tim , where the word 'white' is used, I often instead use a kind of off-white. White itself can sometimes look a bit harsh in miniature, and can look unrealistic. Also, using off-white gives you somewhere to go in terms of highlighting the straps, etc.

Mostly I mix in a little brown into the mix............hope this helps

 

[pgarri27]

I agree with Blind Pew, white is too stark in miniature. There are some books of British and French Napoleonic reenactors with whitened leather straps. The stuff they use to whiten the straps is WHITE. The series of books are 'recreated in color photographs' and here is a link to one of them: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/185915083...glance&n=283155
They make nice reference books, as the re-enactors strive to be as authenic as possible.
When you look at the photos, you can see where the whiting isn't as good on some as on others, and brown spots show thru.
Hope this helps.
Pete

 

[garyjd]

Tim, Your 1751 Grenadier's belts should be left the natural color as narrow pipeclayed (white) belts came about with the 1768 warrant, though I believe that regiments with buff facings had buff colored belts. This is not to say that buff belts were gone completely as light infantry regiments/companies retained buff belts at least until the early 19th century. This can be a confusing area as there were exceptions made for certain units. If any of your figure have white belts, only paint pure white on the highest highlights.~Gary

 

[DaveCox]

Even with modern polishes and treatments anyone with any service will tell you that it's hell trying to get belts really white. I usually mark the edges with buff/light brown where they've worn, and would also agree that slightly off-white is the best base.