painting horses
The color of
horses depends on the type of unit:
Heavy cavalry (dragoons, cuirassiers...) usually had a greater
percentage of dark horses, whereas the light coloured ones were reserved
for light cavalry (chasseurs, hussars...). Therefore, I use the
following approximate percentages, as a function of the type of cavalry
unit:
Heavy cavalry horses: 60% reddish; 30% light brown; 10% dark brown
Light cavalry horses: 30% reddish; 60% light brown; 10% dark brown
Light grey horses are reserved for trumpeters and additionally I paint
also some odd horses: light grey, dark grey or blacks to increasing the
variation.
After filing the minatures to elliminate molding lines, etc.. I primed
in black, with Citadel Black Chaos or with matt black car paint. Then I
follow a three steps painting method: Base color/First light/Second
light, using Spanish
Vallejo
acrylics paints. See below the schemes
(Idem means to the same mix with a greater proportion uf the
lighter color).
Reddish Horse
814 Burnt cad. Red + 950 Black / 814 Burnt cad. Red + 982 Cavalry Brown
/ Idem
Light Brown Horse
875 Beige Brown / 875 Beige Brown + 981 Orange Brown / 875 Beige Brown +
981 Orange brown + 955 Flat Flesh
Dark Brown Horse
872 Chocolat Brown + 950 Black / 872 Chocolat Brown + 875 Beige brown /
Idem
Light Grey Horse (Trumpeter)
992 Neutral grey / 991 neutral grey + 990 Light Grey / Idem Dark Grey
Horse 994 Dark Grey / 004 Dark Grey + 992 Neutral grey / Idem
Black Horse
950 Black / 950 Black + 975 Hull red / Idem / Idem (some additional
higlights can be required)
After finish, I paint a generous layer of white glue to varnish and
protect the miniatures for use.
See below some pictures of the system in action for the
French Chevau-Légers de la ligne.
| 1 | The horse are glued on wood sticks |
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| 2 | Horses after priming |
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| 3 | Ditto for riders |
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| 4 | Horses after application of base colors |
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| 5 | Ditto |
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| 6 | Riders mounted after second light |
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| 7 | Ditto |
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| 8 | Ditto |
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I have used this technique for
all the cavalry units listed in the
Conversions page.