How to Paint Dark Sun Yellow Cloth on Napoleonic Figures
By Victrix Limited 28mm miniatures | Published: 2026-10-28
Category: How-to Guides
Learn to paint realistic yellow cloth on Napoleonic miniatures using Two Thin Coats Dark Sun Yellow, with shading and highlight tips for 28mm figures.
Quick Answer
Start with a brown undercoat, apply Dark Sun Yellow in thin coats, then shade with a warm brown wash and highlight by mixing in a pale bone color.
Why Yellow Is Tricky on 28mm Figures
Yellow paints often have poor coverage and can look chalky if applied too thickly. On 28mm Napoleonic figures, the large flat areas of cloth on coats and facings make these issues obvious.
The key is to build opacity gradually with thin coats and to use a warm brown base rather than white. This gives a richer, more natural yellow that reads well at tabletop distance.
Choosing the Right Yellow for Napoleonic Uniforms
Dark Sun Yellow from the Two Thin Coats range is a mid-tone yellow with good pigment density. It works well for British and French uniform details, such as turnbacks, collars, and cuffs.
If you need a brighter yellow, mix in a small amount of white or bone; for a deeper tone, add a touch of brown. Avoid using pure black for shading yellow—it will make the cloth look dirty rather than shadowed.
Step-by-Step Painting Process
- Undercoat with a warm brown: Apply a thin coat of a dark brown or ochre as the base. This gives the yellow a warm undertone and helps with coverage. Check that the brown is fully dry before adding yellow.
- Apply Dark Sun Yellow in thin coats: Paint the cloth areas with two to three thin coats of Dark Sun Yellow. Let each coat dry completely before the next. If the yellow looks patchy after two coats, add one more thin coat rather than a thick one.
- Shade with a warm brown wash: Use a brown or sepia wash in the folds and recesses. This creates depth without making the yellow look green or muddy. Wipe away excess wash from raised areas with a clean brush.
- Highlight with a pale yellow mix: Mix Dark Sun Yellow with a small amount of bone or ivory. Apply this to the raised edges and ridges of the cloth. Keep highlights subtle—excessive highlighting can make the cloth look striped.
- Seal with a matte varnish: Once the paint is dry, apply a matte varnish to protect the finish and reduce shine. Test the varnish on a spare sprue to ensure it dries clear.
Paint Mentioned in This Guide
- Dark Sun Yellow - Two Thin Coats: Dark Sun Yellow is a mid-tone yellow from the Two Thin Coats range, designed to compare with Citadel Averland Sunset. It provides a solid base for yellow cloth and layers well for highlights and shading on 28mm figures.
Dark Sun Yellow - Two Thin Coats
