Advice on Paint Colour (1 Viewer)

[chalklands]

Hi,
I'm after some advice re choosing colours to paint figures. My question is simply; how do you decide which colour/shade of colour to use? Do you look at reference pictures then just mix your own shade up by trial and error, or do you use colours 'named' by manufacturers i.e. 'kharki', 'tunic red' etc? Any advice and/or pointers would be extremely welcomed!

Thanks!

 

[theBaron]

I do both. I look at reference pictures, then try to match the colors among my collection of paints as best I can.

In scale modeling, there are some subjects where the process is made more exact. For example, for Luftwaffe subjects, there are manufacturers who have identified their colors with the same coding system that the German Flight Ministry (the Reichsluftfahrtministerium) used. Same goes for Japanese colors. But then, among modelers, there is usually debate about how authentic those colors are, and it can get heated.

Also, when checking references, you have to take into account how accurate the reference is. For example, in my area, Frederick the Great's army, there is currently a debate going on about the color of the dragoon's coats. The most popular references were compiled after the Napoleonic wars, so, around 40 years after Frederick himself died. Text references describe the color as "cornflower blue", which is a light blue, though not as light as sky blue. Illustrations show a lighter blue than that, but on the other hand, there is a surviving example of a dragoon's coat that is darker than that. So, what color do you paint?

Then, too, you have to ask yourself whether you're painting in toy soldier style, with gloss colors and little or no shading, or if you're painting in matte, a la connoisseur or the "Chinese" style. If you're using the latter, are you going to show weathering? That olive drab jacket on a GI in Europe in '44 might really have faded to a washed-out color, only remotely related to dark olive.

And you may decide to mix your own colors, too, if you can't find a commerically-produced paint, or just don't like what's on the shelf.

See how complicated this can get?

But at the high level, like I said, I use references, both text and picture, and then try to match with what's in my paintbox.

Prost!
Brad

 

[theBaron]

To give a concrete example:

When I paint a British infantryman from the Seven Years' War or our War for Independence, I use Testor's enamel in the little square bottle, No. 1103 Red.

When I paint Prussian infantry, or Hessians, Brunswickers, or Continentals, for that matter, I currently use an old bottle of Pactra's water-based gloss enamel, A3 Gloss Royal Blue. When that's gone, I'll have to scrounge for a new color, because I don't think it's made anymore.

Both of those seem to match color illustrations I have, and in 54mm, they look pretty good.

Prost, beianand!
Brad

 

[thebritfarmer]

I would have to add to Brads post that if you are using images from the net, ( I google an imagine and then keep it up on the screen while I paint) the colour can vary too depending on your monitor.

 

[kilted vampire]

Another thing to do is take a picture or item with you when you go to get paint. Be advised the paint usually dries darker than what it looks like in the bottle. Also a military miniature painting book can do wonders for your skills. It really depends on what you are trying to accomplish. Hopefully this helps.

 

[skeeterbuck]

I recommend that you do some test mixes first. Also, plan on mixing some of your colors because you won't be able to find every exact shade which you will need.

These are some of the things that I do. I paint my figures in gloss paint when available. If I can't find the shade in gloss that I am looking for I will use satin or matte and clear gloss coat over the whole figure at the end.

I try and match some of the shades that Britains used. For example, I always mix about 1/4 black into my dark blue to make it really dark. I want it to almost appear to be black with a blue tint.

I also never use straight white as it just looks to stark to me. I prefer Humbrol Ivory. It's a creamy white shade a looks much better to my eye.

I also usually add some orange into my reds to lighted them a touch. Most reds are too dark and look kinda drab straight from the bottle/tin. Humbrol makes a Ferrari (222) red that looks good straight from the tin.

Lastly, for my base color, instead of using a green, I'll mix a little black into some yellow to give me an olive color green. That Testors green that I see some use just looks horrid and really can detract from a well done figure.

Good luck! Chuck

 

[chalklands]

Thanks for the advice! If I manage to paint anything half decent I may post some pictures (don't hold your breath though!)