| 138SquadronRAF | 21 May 2012 1:11 p.m. PST |
This maybe a stupid question but here goes: in the 15thC what colour should I plain plate? I'm presuming a basic stell colour, but was it ever plainted black as in later periods against rusting? |
| MajorB | 21 May 2012 1:20 p.m. PST |
I always paint plate armour with Gun Metal. Sometimes it might have had a "blued steel" finish and there is a possibility that armour might have been painted. |
| Fat Wally | 21 May 2012 1:32 p.m. PST |
I use varying shades from darkened Vallejo Gunmetal, GW Boltgun Metal, GW Chainmail and GW Mithril Silver. I am a total snob when it comes to painting armour. Lower classes get mostly darker armour with lighter stuff for the Men-at-Arms and the higher nobility shinier stuff or even bronzed. I really like the look of a half and half painted Sallet, open Bascinet or Barbute. Whether or not its even slightly accurate is hard to say. It looks nice. |
| phssthpok | 21 May 2012 2:27 p.m. PST |
Some armors had colored/patterned fabric glued over them. As ageneral rule the wealthier the individual the showier they could afford to be. |
| MajorB | 21 May 2012 3:02 p.m. PST |
Some armors had colored/patterned fabric glued over them. Do you have any primary references for that? |
| Sysiphus | 21 May 2012 3:50 p.m. PST |
Take a look at this link to The Higgins Armory Museum:
link If you look down the page, find the "black and white" armor example. When I last visited many of the armors were 'blackened" in some way to prevent rust. |
| MajorB | 22 May 2012 2:27 a.m. PST |
Take a look at this link to The Higgins Armory Museum: Interesting link, thanks. However, the "black and white" armour you refer to is dated 1580, so a bit late for 15th century. |
| Griefbringer | 22 May 2012 6:09 a.m. PST |
Some armors had colored/patterned fabric glued over them. As ageneral rule the wealthier the individual the showier they could afford to be. I cannot recall having heard of such arrangement. Wouldn't it it be a lot more practical to either wear a livery, or have the armour painted? That said, the Burgundian ordonnance men-at-arms were supposed to be issued with a cloth cross to attach over their breastplate, but I presume this was tied in place rather than glued. Then there was also brigandine armour, which was by design covered with a layer of cloth. |
| ancientsgamer | 22 May 2012 8:11 a.m. PST |
I would say blackened armor for most foot sloggers by a certain time. Mathias Corvinus' Black Army is a prime example. The mercenary and 'practical' soldier learned that blackened armor made the most sense. The rich noble had a squire to burnish his armor for him ;-) |
| MajorB | 22 May 2012 8:20 a.m. PST |
I would say blackened armor for most foot sloggers by a certain time. Mathias Corvinus' Black Army is a prime example. Seems there are several views as to why it was called the Black Army. Blackened armour is just one possibility. |
| Bohemund | 22 May 2012 9:09 a.m. PST |
138SquadronRAF, may I ask what army you are working on, and in what scale? |
| 138SquadronRAF | 23 May 2012 8:05 p.m. PST |
|
| janner | 20 Jun 2012 3:10 a.m. PST |
I use the same base colour for the plate (GW chainmail or whatever they call it this week) and then use washes to taste. With greater wealth to buy quality armour and the servants available for its upkeep. I often use a blue wash on knights. Whilst hardened professionals, many men at arms just might not have the time on campaign to keep their armour spotless. So I use a hint of a flesh (faint orangy brown) wash to show that it's just beginning to be affected by the weather – chain mail gets it slightly heavier. The another light layer of chainmail and silver to highlight (especially for nobles). The results can be seen here: jannersjaunt.blogspot.dk |
