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Paint mix for RAF blue

Discussion in 'Acrylics' started by Cannonball, Dec 9, 2018.

  1. Cannonball A Fixture

    Can anyone oblige with a suitable oil paint colour/mix for WWII RAF blue. I’m looking to do a couple of Fusilier WWII flyers in blue battle dress and any pointers would be greatly appreciated.

    Many thanks,

    Neal.
  2. John Bowery A Fixture

    Country:
    United-States
    Neal,
    I mixed up a grey with Raw umber and white and then added Prussian blue till I liked the blue.
    spitfire vpilot1.jpg

    Not the best of pictures.
    Checking photo's the blue is several colours. Checking various sources, original uniform was designed for Russia and had a lot of Prussian blue in it. Russia did not use the uniforms so it was modified adding a grey mix and adapted to the New Royal Air Force.
    Cheers
    John
    Mike - The Kiwi likes this.
  3. Cannonball A Fixture

    Thanks for that John, I’ll give it a try.
  4. billyturnip A Fixture

    Country:
    England
    I've been giving a WWII RAF figure some thought myself but haven't taken the plunge yet so this has given me a bit of a nudge to do some experimentation.
    On my piece of glass there's Cerulean Blue, Ivory Black, Titanium White and Prussian Blue.
    IMG_6615.JPG

    It started quite scientific and rapidly went downhill, I've no idea what went where or how much but I think I'm not too wide of the mark.
  5. Cannonball A Fixture

    Hi Roger, thanks for the response. I tried a similar combo once before but in my case it seemed to come out more along the lines of a dark denim blue than the RAF colour. A bit of trial and error may be on the cards.
    billyturnip likes this.
  6. billyturnip A Fixture

    Country:
    England
    That was just a quick ten minute or so experiment but you're right, definitely worth a bit of trial and error. Maybe a suitable base coat of enamel or acrylic would help.
    I'm sure we can come up with something between us..... then I'll need to purchase a figure.
  7. polyphemus Well-Known Member

    I've usually started from a base of W&N Indigo in the mix.

    Geoff
  8. Cannonball A Fixture

    Thanks Geoff. I think I might have a play about with all the suggestions and see how I get on.
  9. billyturnip A Fixture

    Country:
    England
    Funnily enough when I was doing my experiment I picked up a tube of W&N Indigo but put it back in the box as I didn't want to use too many colours and complicate things. That might be a better substitute for the black I used.
    clrsgt likes this.
  10. Rich Sculpts A Fixture

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    Try paynes grey and indigo blue :)
    billyturnip likes this.
  11. Cannonball A Fixture

    No worries Roger, I think I’ll try the different variations as suggested and play around a bit.
    billyturnip likes this.
  12. Cannonball A Fixture

    Thanks Rich Sculpts I’ll give it a try.
  13. John Bowery A Fixture

    Country:
    United-States
    Acrylic royal blue was my base coat and I neglected that in the original comment, Sorry :cry:
    Cheers
    John
  14. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    Hi Guys

    Glad someone asked about this as I have a RAF bust from Gordon sculpted by Steve L ( valiant ) so these answers are very useful

    Nap
    billyturnip likes this.
  15. Richard Baxter A Fixture

    Country:
    Scotland
    Humbrol do an RAF blue in their acrylics range: shade number 96. I know it's not oils as requested but just thought that I'd throw it in for what it's worth.
    billyturnip likes this.
  16. Cannonball A Fixture

    Hi Richard, thanks for that. I’ve got their RAF blue in enamels which I’ll be using as the base over which to apply the oils. It’s just now a case of getting an oil mix something near to it.
  17. Cannonball A Fixture

    Had a play around with the suggested colour combos today and eventually opted for the Payne’s Grey + Indigo option but lightened with the addition of some Titanium white. This seemed to be quite close to the Humbrol RAF blue I was using as the undercoat. I used extra Payne’s Grey in the base mix for shadowing and then dithered whether to use the addition of white as the highlight or Naples Yellow. Opted for the latter and this is the result so far- paint is still wet so hopefully the sheen will die down as it dries.

    0FB5430C-2983-4951-94A5-4BCE8AE8D24F.jpeg
    John Bowery, Rich Sculpts and Nap like this.
  18. billyturnip A Fixture

    Country:
    England
    That looks pretty good and a note taken. (y)
    Rich Sculpts and Cannonball like this.
  19. Cannonball A Fixture

    Hi Roger, in fairness I mixed John’s option as well and although it looked lighter and slightly bluer on the palette it dried a shade or two darker so either would probably work, it was just personal preference as it was so close to the undercoat I was using.
    Nap and billyturnip like this.
  20. billyturnip A Fixture

    Country:
    England
    I know the topic of fading, different dyes, manufacturers etc. etc. has been discussed countless times but I think almost any combination of the suggested colours would work depending on the end result your after.
    All I have to do now is decide which RAF figure from my shortlist to purchase. :D
    Nap likes this.

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