painting shields

[johnboycfc]

anyone know he best and most authentic way to paint shields? Should i just use modern paint for easyness or are there various authentic ways of painting shields? any info greatly regarded as im hoping to make a return to reenactment his summer and need to get my kit in order

cheers

[Cathal]

Hello John,

I've painted my shield with casein colors. They're easy to handle and easy to make at home as well. An useful reciepe is here to find http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casein_paint . Add some natural pigments and, if you want a shiny finish, do some varnishing when you're ready. Casein colors are generally water resistant - but with some varnish the surface will be much harder and even brighter.

Hope this helps.
Bye, Stefan

[brendan]

What time period are yout alking about?
-If you are looking at Viking period then there is a thread http://livinghistory.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6758&highlight=paint+shields on livinghistory.co.uk on round shields - there may be one or two other threads on the topic on that site.

Of course, If I remember correctly, the Irish Viking shields are different is size

Brendan

[Ambiorix apsealgair]

would they have used milk paints lik the celts

here,s a formla formilk paints(never tried it myself tho)

* 1 Quart skim milk (room temperature)
* 1 Once of hydrated lime by weight (Available at building centers. Do not use quick lime, as it will react with the water and heat up. Hydrated lime has been soaked in water then dried.)
* 1 to 2 1/2 pounds of chalk may also be added as a filler.

Stir in enough skim milk to hydrated lime to make a cream. Add balance of skim milk. Now add sufficient amount of powder pigment to desired color and consistency (Pigment powder must be lime-proof). Stir in well for a few minutes before using. For best results continue to stir throughout use.

Apply milk paint with a cheap natural bristle brush. Allow project to dry sufficiently before applying next coat.

[redneckjedi]

I use milk paint. There is a place here in the States that sells it fairly cheap. If anyone is interested I will provide the link. I also use walnut and iron oxide for satining my leather. I don't know how 'period' it is but its better than chemical paints and stains... less toxic, too...

[redneckjedi]

Milk paint http://www.milkpaint.com/

[derek]

Hi,

If I remember rightly the vikinganswerlady has info on viking shields but that info should cover you for the dark ages.

Derek

[brendan]

I just remembered that I have an entire book on shields
Book: The Anglo Saxon Shield by I P Stephenson
Relevant bits (From speed read):
-covered both sides in leather. (pp40) - though this is contended as a general rule by the author.
-Shield Decoration (pp50):

plain, polished or painted wood, tanned, dyed or painted leather, coloured or painted rawhide

rather unhelpfully the book goes on to say that details of said decorations are "discussed elsewhere" - havent time to search further now

Brendan
[edit] Of course this was Saxon C10 anyway and not Viking[/edit]

[Cathal]

...and HERE is the pretty helpful construction page I've posted in the old forum.

Bye for now,
Stefan

[Andrea L Redden]

A really good article has been re-webbed here:

http://nvg.org.au/index.php?topic=weap

Andrea