When I was about halfway through this unit I though “what boring uniform!” I mean it is gray. It has gray turnbacks, gray collars and cuffs with dark blue piping. The belts are black and even the rifle strap that is red/brown for the line troops is black. How could I give these any vibrancy? Painting the collar, cuffs and turnbacks a slightly lighter tone made no difference. Even the green plume failed to do anything for them. The only item that distracted from the dullness of the gray was the brown haversack. Then I painted yellow cockade and suddenly they popped.
The battalion never seemed to achieve its full complement during the war with Russia, with only two companies listed in the orders of battle. In many cases single companies, and half-companies in some instances, we’re assigned to different brigades. So this unit has been done as a tiny unit and will
be attached to the First Brigade. A second tiny unit will follow.
Lovely figures and nicely posed on their bases Mark. It's funny that with dull uniforms, that little dab of colour really pops out more than more 'normal' ones that have some colour to them.
ReplyDeleteThey certainly are nice figures, and despite their dull uniform I did enjoy painting them.
DeleteThey look good to me Mark, and that little splash of yellow certainly gives them a lift. Nowhere near as boring as Portuguese Cacadores or Spanish militia.
ReplyDeleteI just wish I had done the unit that wore green jackets first!
DeleteNice brushwork. Funny how a detail like the cockade makes a difference. overall effort on the detail is high. Tiny unit is is then!
ReplyDeleteEven some coloured turnbacks would have made a big difference.
DeleteSuperb Jägers...and base!
ReplyDeleteThank you Phil.
DeleteI think all riflemen and Jaegers had a pretty subdued uniform, whatever army they came from Mark - after all, the name springs from Huntsmen, who would wear dull clothing to achieve a level of camouflage when stalking their prey! I have to disagree with Lawrence though, I think Portuguese Cacdores have a pretty good uniform! (I must paint some more of those hombres!)
ReplyDeleteBut it would be nice to have SOMETHING a bit different from the line!
DeleteYou could do the battalion skirmishers to be in green coats with black belts. Not much, but something!
ReplyDeleteThere is on unit that wears green coats that I will do a little later in this project.
DeleteA very practical looking unit Mark…
ReplyDeleteThe splash of colour certainly brings them out a bit…
All the best. Aly
Thanks Aly. Practical is a good term for this unit.
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