Black uniforms: Advice sought

[fsn]

2021 is the year of Nobby's Napoleonics.

I'm happy with the style I have adopted for the British which I'm sure I can transfer to the Prussians, Bavarians and Wurttemburgers. However, I do have some Brunswickers and it was not for nothing that they were known as the Black Legion.
 


Does anyone have any tips for painting black uniforms?

[Matt J]

I tend to highlight blacks with a mix of dark greys and blues, sometimes greens. However black is quite reflective and kind of makes it's own highlights.
May be just paint them black then do all the belts and paraphernalia and see how they look.

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

I'd try a very dark grey or possibly blue.

[mmcv]

I concur on dark grey working well as black. There's a Vallejo Opaque Charcoal Grey I've used recently that gives good coverage, though most of my black clad troops previously have been using Army Painter Dark Stone I think.

Examples:

[Poggle]

I mix a little flesh colour into the black. It creates a good 'rusty' black effect. From there I highlight in dark grey.

[fsn]

Thanks chaps. I feel some experimentation coming on.

[DecemDave]

Hesitant to give any painting advice but I used a dark navy blue for the sleeves and hats of my puritan cavalry  and once it was dark shaded, it looks black to me although it can be detected close up by comparing to the black black hair .

[Steve J]

I remember an article in a wargames mag where one of the painters added a touch of pink to black to creat a highlight. Never tried it so can't say how good or not it is. I tend to go for a very dark grey and then add a black wash over it.

[paulr]

I find black too dark for 10mm so use Vallejo Black Grey highlighted Basalt Grey for all my blacks

Good luck with the experiments

[steve_holmes_11]

I'd try a very dark grey or possibly blue.

Yes.
Two sources of wisdom apply.
The first is "fade to grey" or "objects appear lighter" at distance.
The second if Father Ted "Only priest's socks are black Douglas, others are dark dark dark dark dark blue".

Also give some thought to the meaning of "black" in the cays before synthetic dyes.

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Yes.
Two sources of wisdom apply.
The first is "fade to grey" or "objects appear lighter" at distance.
The second if Father Ted "Only priest's socks are black Douglas, others are dark dark dark dark dark blue".

Also give some thought to the meaning of "black" in the cays before synthetic dyes.

The qoute from Father Ted applies to the British Army, only RTR wear black berets, the rest are VERY VERY VERY Dark blue.

[Orcs]

I have used the GV contract black paint, and found it works well.

Looking at the very dark greys they look good too

[fsn]

Thank you gentlemen.

Might have to try the contrast black. 

[Orcs]

Thank you gentlemen.

Might have to try the contrast black.  :-

Remember to paint over white, and you might need two coats. I have not tried  it over grey , which might be a better result

[Leman]

I also use Vallejo black grey instead of pure black. It seems to give a more realistic finish.