Tuesday 8 May 2012

On Russian Green

Well it has been quite some time since I updated this space so I believe an update is in order.

Although I still have not finished my Prussian brigade and I still have quite a few unpainted packs of metal French (Perry) I succumbed to the shiny new toy syndrome and bought myself a boxed set of Russian infantry from the Perrys.

As usual, the quality of this set is very high and the detailing on the models is excellent. My only complain I guess are the bayonets. Some of them are not that well cast and I need to be careful when I start cleaning the figures.

I am planning to organise my Russians around the forces that fought at the Shevardino redoubt. Therefore as a starting guide I am using the OoB from the GdB scenario book.

That means that I need to paint at least 11 battalions of 32 figures each.... wish me luck and most of all wish me patience...

I guess I will start with the Odessa regiment. After all its the first on the OoB and according to my Osprey it was also the first regiment within the Division. That means that I will need to paint them in red shoulder straps with the number 27. Easy :)

Now the real problem is getting the Green look nice on a figure of only 28mm... The purists out there will tell you that Russian Green was almost black but if I go for the right shade (that mind you no one can replicate 100%) I would end up with a black and white horde of figures.... What I am thinking of doing instead is to paint them in a dark shade of green (probably shaded with a black wash) and highlighted by mixing a cream colour to the green. Alternatively I could highlight them using a yellowish green but that would make them too fantasy like so I guess thats not an option.

So what is your opinion on the matter? Would you forgive me if I didnt paint them with a very dark green? I dont have access to the foundry paints so I guess I cant use their 3 shade green paint. I have access only to vallejo and citadel paints... 

and a picture to celebrate the beginning of my work on the ruskis :)