Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Old West => Topic started by: jetengine on February 20, 2016, 08:25:41 PM
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What colours were common and/or rare ?
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This is the book you need:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/12489462_10207245153240494_6195923103572799231_o.jpg)
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10207245153240494&set=p.10207245153240494&type=3
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I'd think leather and off-white cotton? I guess it also depends on wether you want to go strictly historical or rather the common perception we have from Western movies and other media (Lucky Luke ;) )
In any case, does it really matter? You have to apply some heavy drybrushing with tan to simulate the praerie dust, anyway! ;)
Maybe there is an Osprey book on the subject as well.
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The only main Osprey on this is The Texas Rangers, but there are a couple of books on robberies in their Raid series.
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Are you looking for colors used by ranchers, farmers, soldiers on/off duty, merchants and other townfolk, Native Americans, Hispanics, or so on?
You'll want to use plenty of blues, particularly dark blues. Brown canvas/cotton was popular. Non-fatigue/work clothes would consist of brown or gray or dark gray or dark blue or black coats and/or waistcoats and trousers and lighter-colored shirts, at least for those who didn't do physical labor. Flannel was popular, particularly red and blue flannel. Any color was possible, it just depended on how the goods (dyes, cloth, manufactured clothing, etc) made it to town; before the railroad, fancy items would be limited to the wealthier, but towns close to railroad stations or established trails like the Santa Fe Trail would have greater diversity of clothing colors and designs. For the most part just think of colors used today, toned down a little; hot pink obviously would not be worn, but dresses would be of a variety of colors, and cotton or wool-based clothing would be mostly of simple colors and designs.
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I don't have them ready to hand, but I also check the children's book sections at historical site stores (when they have them) and buy one or two. They usually have very nicely done illustrations that make for excellent painting guides - especially since the illustrations are usually paintings themselves since there wasn't color photography at the time. And they are usually fairly cheap to cater to kids wallets.
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Take a look at this site for reproduction of authentic western clothing. Its a great resource for painting ideas.
http://www.riverjunction.com/
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I'd say - and this is not an expert opinion - that a frugal use of the brighter colours would be advisable. Even today a frontier-ish community will tend to dress in hard-wearing, practical hues most of the time.