Paint colours for early French

Leman (Andy) · September 01, 2018, 11:39:00 AM

Here's a couple of shots of some 12mm French done with the grey blue, then blue ink, then sky grey drybrush. Eventually I would hope to sell these on and replace with PP to match my other WWI armies.

Colonel Kilgore · September 01, 2018, 12:09:29 PM

Thank you, Leman - that method looks pretty effective!

Jonnyboy · September 01, 2018, 10:09:14 PM

1914 - Its the classic Blue Greatcoat and red trousers, by September they were covering the kepi with the mid blue cover.

Goes to a mix of mid blue and corderouy in 1915, before setling on Horizon bue. I find Vallejo Azure blue with Army Painter strong tone gives a good finish.

Hope this link helps in outlining development of the French WW1 uniform - (1914 - 1918)
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/53/27/64/5327640e4ee7826bada6edf747c0c845.jpg

Colonel Kilgore · September 02, 2018, 09:37:00 AM

Thanks, jonnyboy, that is helpful. I have the Osprey book (French Army 1914-18) but that's a very useful side-by-side comparison.

What's your favourite red for the 1914 trousers?

Leman (Andy) · September 02, 2018, 01:24:40 PM

In the above photo it is a lighter rather than deep red. I think Vallejo scarlet would mimic this best.

Colonel Kilgore · September 02, 2018, 08:58:31 PM

Thanks, Leman. I too had been thinking that with the "colour shift" in a small scale like 15mm, lighter might be better. I just didn't know how dark Vallejo scarlet was, but you've just helped me there!

Leman (Andy) · September 04, 2018, 09:16:54 AM

It is definitely the lightest of their reds. When I first did the FPW, many years back, I used red, but it was not long before I changed to scarlet. In September 1914 the Belgians were issued with a new cap and trousers (there was a new jacket as well, but many photos show them still wearing the blue-black greatcoat). These trousers are often referred to as wine red and are a very deep red, almost maroon in colour. I believe they were made of corduroy and were very much a stop-gap affair, disappearing in 1915.

Colonel Kilgore · September 04, 2018, 01:39:34 PM

Thanks, Leman - all very useful!

Leman (Andy) · September 04, 2018, 04:09:22 PM

Perhaps we should have a Belgian tutorial thread?

Leslie BT · September 04, 2018, 04:40:19 PM

If we have the information of course their should be a Belgian thread, do we have the painting guide ready?

Leman (Andy) · September 04, 2018, 11:04:34 PM

I'd be happy to do one but I need to get my Germans finished first.