Quick answer
Paint your Austrian infantry in white coats with regimental facings, then base them on movement trays for efficient wargaming handling.
Why white coats and facing colors matter
Austrian line infantry of the 1798-1809 period wore white coats with distinct facing colors (e.g., yellow, red, or blue) to identify regiments. Getting the facing color right adds historical accuracy and visual variety to your unit.
Common mistake: skipping the undercoat
White paint over dark primer often looks patchy. A gray or light brown undercoat gives the white coat a solid, even base. This saves you from multiple coats later.
Step-by-step painting and basing guide
- Prepare and prime: Clean the figures with warm soapy water, then prime with a gray or light brown spray primer. This avoids white paint looking transparent over dark primer. Check that primer covers all recesses; missed spots show through white coats.
- Paint the white coat: Apply two thin coats of off-white or ivory paint (pure white can look stark). Let each coat dry fully before adding the next. Use a wash of thinned gray for shadows. Avoid thick paint that hides detail; thin layers keep the sculpt sharp.
- Add facings and details: Paint the collar, cuffs, and turnbacks in the regimental facing color. Then do the musket, pack, and leatherwork in dark brown or black. Highlight the shako plate and buttons. Double-check the facing color reference for your chosen regiment—yellow, red, or blue are common.
- Base the figures: Glue each figure to a 20mm x 20mm metal or plastic base. Use sand or fine gravel mixed with PVA glue for texture. Let it dry, then paint the base in earth tones. Leave a small gap around the figure's feet to avoid glue pooling on the boots.
- Apply static grass or flock: After the base paint dries, apply a thin layer of PVA glue and dip in static grass or flock. Tap off excess. This gives a natural look and hides the base edge. Use a mix of two green shades for a more realistic effect.
- Finish with movement trays: Glue completed figures onto a plastic movement tray in formation (e.g., 4 ranks of 8). This lets you move the whole unit as one piece during games. Ensure the tray is slightly larger than the formation to avoid figures overhanging.
Product facts
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Austrian Napoleonic Infantry 1798-1809: This set contains 56 Austrian infantry figures, including 2 officers, 2 standard bearers, 2 drummers, 2 mounted colonels, and 48 infantry. You get enough figures for a full battalion, with multiple arm options on officers and mounted colonels for variety.
Austrian Napoleonic Infantry 1798-1809