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Main => The Armoury => Topic started by: Sir Edward on 2011-06-02, 17:49:26

Title: Painting helms
Post by: Sir Edward on 2011-06-02, 17:49:26


I was just looking at this thread on myArmoury:  http://www.myarmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=22869 (http://www.myarmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=22869)

I still like the idea of painting helms. You don't see a lot of people doing it these days. I don't think I'm brave enough to paint the only great helm that fits me so well. Heh. :) But I could see getting a couple of other helms and then painting them.

Anyone else thinking about doing this at some point?
Title: Re: Painting helms
Post by: Sir Matthew on 2011-06-02, 18:15:21
I've thought about painting my Kettle Helm and now that I picked up a second one, I might try it. I like the idea, but I'm not very good at painting. Maybe I can bribe my very talented lady wife into doing it for me...
Title: Re: Painting helms
Post by: Sir William on 2011-06-02, 20:46:16
I am...I saw a Norman panoply (posted on AA I think) where the helm was painted in blue and white offsetting swirls, the dark maille and a matching kite shield with a boss...I liked it so much I made it my desktop background on my work-from-home laptop.

I want to do one of my Norman helms like that, but blue/black like my surcoat...it was really quite attractive.  At one point, when I had a great helm, I flirted with the idea of painting it all red, like I'd seen in Assassin's Creed (it was a Crusader who wore it, specfically the ones on guard in the Holy Land section of the game) but I sold it before I could do it.  Just as well, as I'd just come upon the paints to do it with here:  www.milkpaint.com (http://www.milkpaint.com) or something very like...it may have been Wolf who posted it.
Title: Re: Painting helms
Post by: Sir Wolf on 2011-06-02, 21:04:35
if ever i get the GDFB kettle helm i will be painting it
Title: Re: Painting helms
Post by: Sir Rodney on 2011-06-02, 21:45:09
Quote from: Sir William
I am...I saw a Norman panoply (posted on AA I think) where the helm was painted in blue and white offsetting swirls, the dark maille and a matching kite shield with a boss...I liked it so much I made it my desktop background on my work-from-home laptop.

That's Patrick Kelly.  He makes a very studly Norman.
Title: Re: Painting helms
Post by: Sir William on 2011-06-03, 13:41:59
Thank you, Sir Rodney- that's him...soon as I read the name.  I was quite taken with his helm and shield.
Title: Re: Painting helms
Post by: Aiden of Oreland on 2015-04-19, 03:02:24
So, I have been looking around for sources on how to paint a helmet. I got inspired after looking at Morgan Bible images. My search brought me here. I can't seem to find anything about authentic paint to use on a helmet on the web. I plan to paint my GDFB kettle helm. It wasn't very expensive and it's more like a test dummy for me to play around with. So I want to paint it and see how it comes out. Would anybody know my best option for historical paint? Does it prevent rust? If this looks as nice as I hope I'll be sure to use it on other helms.
Title: Re: Painting helms
Post by: Ian on 2015-04-19, 13:47:33
So, I have been looking around for sources on how to paint a helmet. I got inspired after looking at Morgan Bible images. My search brought me here. I can't seem to find anything about authentic paint to use on a helmet on the web. I plan to paint my GDFB kettle helm. It wasn't very expensive and it's more like a test dummy for me to play around with. So I want to paint it and see how it comes out. Would anybody know my best option for historical paint? Does it prevent rust? If this looks as nice as I hope I'll be sure to use it on other helms.

As far as I'm aware, the only existing painted helms are surviving late 15th century sallets, and they all seem to use a linseed-oil based paint.  I wouldn't recommend something like milk paint, as I don't think it will stick to metal.
Title: Re: Painting helms
Post by: Sir James A on 2015-04-19, 13:51:19
Painting will
Does it prevent rust?

Painted metal can't rust unless the paint scrapes or flakes off. I'm sure it was one of the benefits, if not the primary reason, for painting helmets.
Title: Re: Painting helms
Post by: Aiden of Oreland on 2015-04-20, 01:07:55
So, I have been looking around for sources on how to paint a helmet. I got inspired after looking at Morgan Bible images. My search brought me here. I can't seem to find anything about authentic paint to use on a helmet on the web. I plan to paint my GDFB kettle helm. It wasn't very expensive and it's more like a test dummy for me to play around with. So I want to paint it and see how it comes out. Would anybody know my best option for historical paint? Does it prevent rust? If this looks as nice as I hope I'll be sure to use it on other helms.

As far as I'm aware, the only existing painted helms are surviving late 15th century sallets, and they all seem to use a linseed-oil based paint.  I wouldn't recommend something like milk paint, as I don't think it will stick to metal.

Interesting... Would you have any particular mixtures or brand recommendations to use? I managed to dig a little deeper and found this neat little site: http://www.cyberlipid.org/perox/oxid0011.htm (http://www.cyberlipid.org/perox/oxid0011.htm)
Title: Re: Painting helms
Post by: Sir Wolf on 2015-04-21, 22:14:51
i painted that helmet of mine a while ago. just had spray paint on hand. seems to have held up ok.
Title: Re: Painting helms
Post by: Allan Senefelder on 2015-04-22, 00:15:12
Quote
That's Patrick Kelly.  He makes a very studly Norman.

I made his shield. Man that was a loooong time back. His kit kicked ass in those pics.
Title: Re: Painting helms
Post by: Sir William on 2015-04-22, 19:02:41
That was a boss shield, Allan. 
Title: Re: Painting helms
Post by: Allan Senefelder on 2015-04-22, 19:44:45
As I recall, Patrick took those pics wearing the original Gadjalt sword forged by Pete Johnson ( which I got to handle at Swordfest and it's exquisite!).
Title: Re: Painting helms
Post by: Sir William on 2015-04-23, 19:04:01
The Gaddhjalt has always been one of the ones on 'my list' of swords to acquire.  Its got simple, clean lines and its a beast- at least from the stats.  You got to handle one though, that's very cool.
Title: Re: Painting helms
Post by: Sampf on 2015-05-25, 02:07:12
If I get more than only 2 helms than maybe a blue stripe or full blue with nice designs mixed in.
Title: Re: Painting helms
Post by: Thorsteinn on 2015-05-25, 21:54:27
I used to have a painted helm actually. I painted the sides and back of my old Ashcraft-Baker Helm
Title: Re: Painting helms
Post by: Aiden of Oreland on 2015-05-28, 02:09:41
I plan to paint my helm because it's not a very nice one, but I am trying to really delve into creating kits that are unique and have that medieval flare often over looked. Like geometry, lots of colors, and paints. Every little detail counts in my honest opinion. Whether it's the design on the scabbard or the stitching pattern on your cuisses.
Title: Re: Painting helms
Post by: AnsalonPaladin on 2015-05-29, 12:05:51
Though this doesn't pertain to the exact time period many of the forum members stick to- there are many historic references to the Ancient Greeks painting their helmets, though of course many just kept them as solid bronze. I painted my Corinthian helm and all of my armor to give a kind of dark Hoplite impression and it worked out quite well! My helm hasn't rusted or degraded since. I think it's a great idea, if it doesn't work I don't think acetone and some scrubbing would do your metals much damage!
Title: Re: Painting helms
Post by: Thorsteinn on 2015-05-29, 20:00:44
You could paint with.... FIRE!!!
 :)
Title: Re: Painting helms
Post by: AnsalonPaladin on 2015-05-30, 00:11:23
You could paint with.... FIRE!!!
 :)


Funny you mention that Sir Thorsteinn, I found fire to be great at solidifying the paint and bonding it to the metal more if you apply it carefully (via blowtorch) it also adds a naturally weathered look that some may find quite appealing.
Title: Re: Painting helms
Post by: Lord Dane on 2015-05-30, 07:48:44
Also makes a great accelerant if you coat it with the right stuff. You do not want any of that flammable stuff left on the helm should the steel make contact and spark. Talk about heated.
Title: Re: Painting helms
Post by: Sir_Edward_ReBrook on 2015-10-22, 05:40:13
Interesting topic. I noticed that the Maciejowski Bible has great helms in a variety of colors.

http://manuscriptminiatures.com/media/cache/manuscriptminiatures.com/original/118-47_large.jpg.