French Infantry 1804-1814: Painting and Basing Guide
By Wargames Atlantic | Published: 2026-10-28
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to paint and base French Napoleonic infantry in greatcoats with practical steps, common mistakes, and product recommendations from Wargames Atlantic.
Quick answer
Paint your French Napoleonic infantry in greatcoats by starting with a base coat of French blue, then layer on shadows, highlight the greatcoat folds, and finish with basing that complements the winter setting.
Why greatcoats matter for your painting approach
Greatcoats were issued to French infantry from the Camps of Boulogne onward, becoming a staple on battlefields across Europe. Their heavy wool texture and distinctive blue-gray color require a different technique than the standard uniform coat. You'll want to emphasize the folds and volume rather than crisp lines.
Choosing your basing style
The basing you choose sets the scene. For Napoleonic battles, a muddy or snowy base works well—especially for winter campaigns. Use textured sand or fine gravel, then drybrush with off-white and brown to suggest frozen ground. Avoid overly green bases, which clash with the greatcoat palette.
Painting and basing steps
- Prime and base coat: Apply a matte black or dark gray primer. Then base coat the greatcoats with a French blue-gray mix (e.g., Vallejo French Blue or a 2:1 mix of medium blue and pale gray). Common mistake: using pure blue makes the greatcoat look too bright—add gray to mute it.
- Shade the folds: Mix a darker shade (add black or dark brown) and paint it into the recessed folds of the greatcoat. Keep the brush damp and use a thin consistency to avoid pooling. Checkpoint: let each layer dry fully before adding the next to avoid muddy colors.
- Highlight the upper surfaces: Mix a lighter shade (add white or ivory) and drybrush the raised areas: shoulders, collar, and the tops of the sleeves. This creates the illusion of light catching the wool. Common mistake: over-highlighting makes the coat look shiny—keep highlights subtle.
- Paint details and faces: Paint the collar, cuffs, and turnbacks in the regiment's facing color (often white or yellow). Faces: use a flesh tone, then a thin wash of brown for eyes and a tiny dot for the mouth. Checkpoint: use a magnifier or good light for faces—small mistakes are very visible.
- Base the figures: Glue the figure to a base (25mm round or rectangular). Apply a mix of sand and PVA glue. Once dry, base coat with dark brown. Drybrush with tan and off-white for a muddy winter look. Common mistake: using too much glue creates a glossy finish—mix with sand for texture.
- Finish with static grass or snow: Add tufts of static grass in muted browns or a light dusting of snow effect (baking soda + PVA). This ties the basing to the greatcoat's winter theme. Checkpoint: let the base coat fully dry before adding snow to prevent clumping.
Product spotlight
- French Infantry in Greatcoats (1804-1814): Officially issued for the first time at the Camps of Boulogne, the greatcoat soon became an ever-present sight on the battlefields of Europe. This set includes 4 skirmishers and command, allowing you to build an entire battalion of French Napoleonic infantry. The included command and skirmisher figures let you practice different greatcoat poses and basing arrangements, making your battalion look dynamic on the tabletop.
French Infantry in Greatcoats (1804-1814)
