Painting greys

[Paul @ Warlord Games]

After many months gathering dust on my painting station whilst I worked on the BEF masters my Tarleton's British Legion and 17th Dragoons have painted horses. Working on the riders now - getting past the steeds was a big roadblock as I'm not confident of doing a good job on horses.

Suppose I should get to the point of the thread - my next addition is to be a commander model and I'd like to pop him on a grey horse.

I'not attempted grey (white) horses before so wondering if anyone has a few useful tips?

[Comte Michel]

There was an extended discussion in this thread

viewtopic.php?f=30&t=3980

Along with a whole load of useful links. Personally I've had some success with artists oils, using various mixtures of Paynes Grey and white. No matter what type of paint you use though they do look a lot prettier if you paint some dapples on them, dark dapples on light greys or light dapples on dark. The difference in shade for the dapples needs to be quite subtle, practise on some spare horses first

[Cubster]

I always start light and then use washes to add shade, rather than starting with dark and highlighting up. As the Comte says, some subtle dapples are a great idea. I use a shade just a little darker than the main colour, thinned down and flicked/sprayed on using my thumb on the bristles of a stiff brush (after practising on a scrap piece of paper first). Another nice touch can be adding a pink shade around the nose, mouth and eyes.

[grecian1959]

Paul check this out and also look at Sashas grey that soult is mounted on

http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=262257

[RoughRider]

I always start light and then use washes to add shade, rather than starting with dark and highlighting up. As the Comte says, some subtle dapples are a great idea.

I second this approach. There is such a variety in grey colouring though that even if doesn't quite turn out the way you like it will probably be accurate. You can't go wrong painting the muzzle, tips of the ears, mane and tail black.The fellow below I based grey, washed black, then made little itty-bitty circles with Astronomicon Grey for the dapples.