Surcoats and devices/emblems

Madyn · Post by **Madyn** » Thu Jan 22, 2004 4:01 pm

I know nothing about sewing or textiles, so please forgive this question if it is naive or ignorant. Regarding surcoats/clothing, I'm assuming emblems/devices/charges/etc. were commonly stitched on, but were they ever painted on?

Thanks?

Alcyoneus · Post by **Alcyoneus** » Thu Jan 22, 2004 4:29 pm

Yes, lots of painting was done to fabrics. While you would find 'court type' garments/vestments that were embroidered, etc., for everyday use painted fabric was often substituted.

Madyn · Post by **Madyn** » Thu Jan 22, 2004 4:32 pm

Thanks for the quick reply! So, assuming I wanted to paint a device on a surcoat, would it be best to use acyrlic paint, oil, something else?

I would like to keep it as authentic as possible, but still create something that can survive sparring without cracking or flaking too quickly.

Bartok · Post by **Bartok** » Thu Jan 22, 2004 10:04 pm

I've been curious about this too. Anyone know where I could find references for this? I'd like to have some documentation so I can show it with my work...

Bartok
SCA Gilbert the Short

Brennus · Post by **Brennus** » Thu Jan 22, 2004 10:17 pm

http://www.parma.bc.ca/articles/steyned.html

Madyn · Post by **Madyn** » Fri Jan 23, 2004 10:03 am

Thanks Brennus. Great article. I haven't had a chance to do more than skim it, but I didn't see anything in there about modern substitutes for eggs-n-charcoal, etc. Is acrylic the best bet?

Pietro da San Tebaldo · Fri Jan 23, 2004 10:28 am

If you're willing to use modern materials, you can't go far wrong with Liquitex acrylics. They make a "Textile Medium" formulated to cover without getting too stiff - you can mix it with their ordinary paints or you can get some and also buy their Pure Pigments, which are bottles of finely ground pigments in water, suitable for mixing with any of their various media (Airbrush, Textile, Opaque, etc...)

I'm painting a huge banner for an upcoming event, and this stuff is a joy to work with.

------------------
"No horn, cold newtons? This place blows!" - Bucky Kat

mka: Sam Pearce

Madyn · Post by **Madyn** » Fri Jan 23, 2004 10:32 am

Thanks much Pietro. I considered going the period-paint route, and still might, but it's good to know the alternatives.

Bartok · Post by **Bartok** » Fri Jan 23, 2004 11:33 pm

Thanks for the link. Wonderful article and a bibliography... Oh boy [img]http://forums.armourarchive.org/ubb/smile.gif[/img] research heaven [img]http://forums.armourarchive.org/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

Bartok
SCA: Gilbert the Short