Hi folks - I like using Humbrol paints on figures. Anyway, I've been using #30 as my base coat, is there a better shade of grey/green to use? I'm aware that the Uniform colors vary a LOT ! I will add some gray to #30 for variation of fabrics. It's that I've seen a few uniforms in museums and my hues seem off. HELP!!! and THANKS !!!! Tom

Hi Tom
Try this its from Verlindens The System
1.BaseCoat:Slate Grey(31)+Black(33)
2:Drybrush:Base+White(34)+French Artillery Green(179)
3.Shadow:Base+Black(33) + or Raw Umber Oil
4.Final Drybrush: french Art Green(179)+Touch of Grass Green (80)

Just to complicate things humbrol have discontinued French Artillery Green but you should be able to find a substitue I tend to use either 116 or 117 US dark/light green.

Hope this is oof use I also have mixes for other nationalities if required.

Chris

They probably aren't. If you see a WWII Uniform in a museum it's at least 64-65 years old. Even if kept in perfect conditions, there will still be fading. If you were to go back in time to 1944 and were to examine uniforms (even from the same production batch) you'd still find differences in tone and even color.

In the case of German Uniforms, as resources became more limited and production more difficult, corners were cut in quality of dyes (for example) so even from the same factory, you wouldn't find the same exact shade. Uniforms color is NOT an exact science nor more than standardization of shades such as OD...

Thanks Chris for your quick reply. Did Velinden prime his figures or was his base coat also his primer ? I prime mine using Rustoleum flat white from the rattle can. It gives the paint a nice " tooth" for your first coat to grab on to. You should let it , the flat white, cure a couple of weeks because it will soften and smear. Anyway, Base 50/50 mix grey31 &black33 ? First lights a little base+ white & 179 any idea of the ratios? I will give it a try. THANKS! JIM - Thanks for your advice too. I figure there would be fading of the colors too. You go to the art museums and it's posted no flash photography because it bleaches out the paintings. And "scale" color too. I guess I'll play around and see what I can come up with. I also want to thank you for all the great reviews you do. It's great that they are so complete. In the times of tight money and expensive kits an indepth review is appreciated. THANKS AGAIN guys !!!! Tom

Hi Tom,
I'm not sure if Verlinden undercoated or not .
I Generally use a couple of thin washes of white.
HTH

Chris