Painting from WWI & WWII B&W Military Photos

[Roan]

Information on where to find uniform color references (images of actual uniforms) on the web, color references, etc., coming soon.

I will be posting links to several sites for Canadian RCAF and US Marine militaria images.

[This message has been edited by Roan (edited September 26, 2000).]

[oleCC]

Great Roan.. waiting to see some of the US references...so far I am not having much luck finding accurate colors for marine uniforms.. Carol

[Roan]

<FONT size="3">Where to Get Uniform Color Reference Images:</FONT s>

If you need color references for uniforms etc., forget about web museums. I've been to literally hundreds and they are not worth the time. If you are looking for airplanes, however, they are the best source.

Do your research with militaria dealers and collectors. These are people with web sites devoted to selling, buying or displaying militaria of almost any country you can think of. Good search key word "militaria dealers".

Below is my most absolute favorite link:
[*]<A HREF="http://www.militaria-online.com">Militaria Online</A>

This guy has links to HUNDREDS and HUNDREDS of military related dealers and collectors, a message board where you can post questions or even ask for a picture etc.,. Almost all of the dealer/collector links will have color images posted. You may have to do some digging site-to-site to find what you are looking for, but half the fun in research (for me, anyhow :P) is learning about more things than I set out to do.

My next posts will have specific branches of WWII military (Canadian RCAF and US Marine) and some reference sites that you can start with.

Quick note: I'm not going to post links for every branch of service for every country :P Militaria Online is a great starting point for anyone attempting to paint a portrait of this nature and doing some solid research gets you intimately involved with your subject matter. Should make for a better painting!

[This message has been edited by Roan (edited September 26, 2000).]

[Roan]

Special note: if you do find the images you are looking for, make sure you know whether they are photographs of the original uniform or reproductions. An original uniform will probably be faded somewhat and a reproduction may not be the exact color. Many sites will make notes about the condition of an original and quality of a reproduction, bookmark those ones. I find them invaluable.

<FONT size="3">WWII US Marine Uniform Image Sources</FONT s>

(note to Carol: I've posted a message on Militia Online. Let's see if we get any help.)

<u>Here are a few WWII USMC links:</u>

Insignias/Chevrons/Badges:
<A HREF="http://www.saundersinsignia.com/marines.html">H. J. Saunders U.S. Military Insignia, Inc.</A>

Uniforms, Dress and Other
<A HREF="http://www.garlic.com/~rgkay/usmc.html">Colonel's Cache Marines</A>[*]Page is a mix of WWI and WWII dress. Colors aren't all that great, but he provides fairly descriptive words.
<A HREF="http://www.ancientidols.com/usunif.htm">Ancient Idols</A>[*]Few pix of marine uniforms and dress

General:
<A HREF="http://www.military-auction.com/">MilitaryAuction.com</A>[*]ever changing auction site. Worth checking periodically

WWII USMC militaria is hard to find and it's taking a while to go through everything. I'll update this message as I find more.

[This message has been edited by Roan (edited September 26, 2000).]

[Roan]

Originally posted by oleCC:
Great Roan.. waiting to see some of the US references...so far I am not having much luck finding accurate colors for marine uniforms.. Carol

Carol:

USMC wore several different colors and types of uniforms. What exactly are we looking for? Would help if I could narrow the search down. Any chance on getting his rank and corp name? Oh, and type of dress uniform? What color did the photograph owner say the uniform was?

[This message has been edited by Roan (edited September 26, 2000).]

[oleCC]

Roan... I will scan the photo and email it or post it here...he says it is that green that is somewhat "sage".... but don't dare count on his description. Thanks loads for the above addys...will check them out thoroughly later today! Carol

[Roan]

Thank you! There are a few different types of uniforms as well as colors, too. Short, long, field, you name it :P

[oleCC]

Roan..here is the photo I must work from...know the uniform is drab green (shade? ) and stripes are red with gold outline..shirt/tie are tannish...........but the correct shades of each escape me. Carol

<IMG SRC="http://www.wetcanvas.com/Critiques/User/ww2commission.jpg" border=0>

[Roan]

Oh, good looker!

Here's the shirt and tie:
http://www.wgn.net/~ww2imp/usmckhakis.html

The colors aren't that great. I'm pretty sure I saw a site that had a good copy. Lemme go look.

[Roan]

Carol,
I know I saw a good picture of that exact uniform somewhere while I was looking around. I'll try to locate it tonight -- might be tomorrow before I find it tho. I dunno why I didn't bookmark the silly thing.

*whap me*

[oleCC]

Roan... yep...that is the tan shirt and tie and I can do that with NP... now, the uniform green shade eh?? Hate to see you working so durn hard, but won't pretend I don't love it LOL Seriously, this client is about to give up on me I am sure. Thanks again
Carol

[Roan]

bah, I'm having a devil of a time locating it again. Listen, if I don't find it soon or in case this is a better pic, you might want to email this guy for his listing:

871 WW2, Us Marine Corps, 4 Pocket Tunic, Minus Collar Dogs, Otherwise, V.G.C £30

Based on the price wanted, I think this is just a tunic (as it says) -- dunno, sometimes they say "tunic" for "uniform" in the UK. Anyhow, this guy in Glasgow is in the process of adding pictures to his site. Maybe you could email and ask him for a copy of it. His email is:

info@treasurebunker.com

Also, before I forget -- if you are gung ho to paint this and perhaps more, there are several books on WWII uniforms. Some have color pictures. Here's a military books link:

<A HREF="http://www.militaria.com/book.html">Miltaria.com Bookshelf</A>

This guy not only lists the books but gives information on how good the book is for uniforms -- color and accuracy.

Now, I don't see a marine book, but you can email and ask him for a recomendation.

If you do, please post back here. I think I'm going to start filling my bookshelves. I have a feeling in my gut that military portraits are going to become more of a demand as the years go by -- thanks to movies like Saving Private Ryan.

I'm still looking for that stoooooopid link. I'll find it, I'm on the "T" list again :P

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Mar sin leibh an-dràsda,
Roan
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"Am fear a ghleidheas a theanga, gleidhidh e a charaid."

[oleCC]

Poor Roan...you must be worn out with all this research, and here I am - unsure if I will even bother with this one now! I do really appreciate all your efforts - will let you know what (if anything) I find out
Carol

[oleCC]

Roan... I ended up talking to some retired marines locally...and think I finally have a grip on this color . Dark drab green - kind of like dark olive. If the shade I end up with is a bit "off"...still ok, according to the client. I am using sap green with a little transparent red oxide, and a touch of
burnt umber...seems to be ok.
Thanks again for all the research !!
Carol

[Roan]

Carol,

Glad you found something. All I could find was an old WII propaganda poster. Sorry I haven't replied for a bit but I've been sick with the flu/cold. . . ugh . . . and working on my web site. Only had time to pop in here now and then.

Soon as I feel better and get the site done I'll post more.

Hugs!

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"Am fear a ghleidheas a theanga, gleidhidh e a charaid."