Acrylics Wwi French Uniform?

[pelo69]

Hi, can you help me? I'm looking for the right Vallejo Colors to paint a french WWI uniform.

 

[Zastrow.cuirassier]

Which kind of French WWI uniform ?
Which period ?
Which Arm , Infantry, artillery, Calavary, Colonials Troops ?

 

[pelo69]

WWI french infantry, about 1915 ... it's this JMD Miniature I want to paint

 

[housecarl]

I use 964 Field blue.
Carl.

 

[Mike Stevens]

There are multiple shades of Horizion Blue. If you do a search on PF you come up several examples of real uniforms showing a large range. The last time I painted it I used a mix of Dark Prussian Blue, Deep Sky Blue and German Grey. I used sunny skintone to highlight and German Grey and Black for shadows,

 

[Einion]

There are multiple shades of Horizion Blue. If you do a search on PF you come up several examples of real uniforms showing a large range.

What he said.

Most versions of horizon blue are relatively dull, some really quite grey. If you don't already have something suitable you could easily mix this kind of colour starting with any of your darker blues + white, add a little something to tone the colour down (e.g. grey, brown, a flesh colour) and that's it, your base colour is made.

Einion

 

[Dan Morton]

Not only were there different horizon blue colored uniforms, 1915 was a transitional year for the French army. They stopped wearing madder red trousers and started wearing all kinds of usually dull shades of grey, brown, khaki, blue, green trousers to replace them. These were often corduroy workmen's trousers. The top coat was not always horizon blue either. Some examples of 1915 clothing...

I'll add some more photos shortly...Have to use Photoshop to squeeze them to an acceptable size.

All the best,
Dan

 

[Sturm Grenadier]

Hello Peter, Here is an excellent site on the colors used to make Horizon Blue cloth. I would think you could mix the same colors with Vallejo. www.horizonbluewool.com Click on the column marked The Cloth. Hope this helps. Here is an example from the site. Regards, SG

 

[captnenglish]

Cool reference photo Dan (not surprisingly), this would make an interesting vignette with another figure(s) wearing a more cliche horizon blue. @pelo69, listen to Dan Morton, if there is anyone on PF that knows about WWI uniforms it's him!

 

[Dan Morton]

SG - hadn't seen that one. Thanks Matt.

More photos as promised. Took me a few minutes.

Pelo69 - bottom line is you probably have a variety of possible color choices for both the capote (top coat) and the trousers, to say nothing of variations in the coloring of equipment. The Poilu with the helmet - the helmet came in later, but the uniform colors are still OK. Good luck!

All the best,
Dan

 

[Sturm Grenadier]

Hello Dan, Great reference photos to give Peter, a few more color options. Regards, SG

 

[tonydawe]

I use a combination of Prussian Blue mixed with Sunny Skin Tone, and Intense Blue mixed with Beige. The two blues provide different hues and provide some contrast in colour intensity.

If you're painting a combat solider, please bare in mind the effect of weather, mud and constant wear & tear on the uniform. Even after a few short weeks the colours will start to fade and the fabric will become impregnated with dirt and grime. Many soliders would have to replace their trousers after an extended period in the trenches because they would rot from the constant damp.

 

[pelo69]

... thx! That really helps! ... You're great!

 

[Paul Kernan]

Even as an oil painter, I've found this site to be of help in giving me a good 'undercoat' colour.

http://www.reapermini.com/PowerPalette/

 

[MarquisMini]

try Vallejo intermediate blue with a dab of dark prussian blue,tell me what you do you think, i find this combination really good for a base color for that uniform period.
You can always toned down a little by adding more intermediate blue which actually is grey blue

 

[Mirofsoft]

Nice idea
for uniforms have a look here http://www.hervedavid.fr/francais/14-18/uniformes.htm
Best