Colors/Colours

[Andyfarmer]

I am interested in members view on the colour e used on 18th century ships, it would seem that there is quite a propensity for toy town Colors. But bright colours were not really a thing until coal tar dyes were invented in the late 19th century. So most paints prior to this involved natural pigments, ie Red ochre, and to have good clolor fasteness high ratios of pigment to brinder woulhd be required = expensive. So one would assume decks etc would be become quite muted, any ideas?

 

[iutar]

Just look at the paintings of marine artists of that era. It will be better than any empty talk.

 

[Quint]

Here's a post that may help.

Marine paint colors in the 19th Century

Does anyone know of a source for information on the range of colours (cheaply) available in marine paints by the end of the 19th Century? I'm not after the colour of antifouling, which was the familiar red shade that long remained in use. Nor am I after the variety of colours that could be used i...

modelshipworld.com

 

[AllanKP69]

I am interested in members view on the colour e used on 18th century ships

What year? 100 years is a long time, and things changed drastically in ship building during the 18th century. In addition to the contemporary paintings that Iutar mentioned there are hundreds of photos of contemporary models on the RMG site and Preble Hall site and elsewhere that you may find helpful. I am pretty sure there was no set rule regarding paint colors, a lot depended on the amount of money in the captain's wallet. The amount of detail on the old models varies. An example for the 18th century would be the hull below the water line. They were coated with white stuff—a mixture of whale oil, rosin, and brimstone (sulfur) for more than half the century then had copper sheathed bottoms. Most contemporary models of ships that had coppered bottoms do not show the copper plating. Years ago I asked about this and RMG responded that it was, as today, near impossible to produce sheathing to scale so occasionally the model builder would just paint the bottom copper color or leave it with no coating at all.
Allan

 

[Roger Pellett]

Also, Nationality and type of ship. Most paint was expensive so humble vessels and lesser warships favored cheap colors, dull red (iron oxide), black (lampblack, and yellow ochre.

Prestige vessels that the Rulers were willing to spend money on would decorate their ships with more expensive colors, notably blue.

Roger

 

[Andyfarmer]

What year? 100 years is a long time, and things changed drastically in ship building during the 18th century. In addition to the contemporary paintings that Iutar mentioned there are hundreds of photos of contemporary models on the RMG site and Preble Hall site and elsewhere that you may find helpful. I am pretty sure there was no set rule regarding paint colors, a lot depended on the amount of money in the captain's wallet. The amount of detail on the old models varies. An example for the 18th century would be the hull below the water line. They werecoated with white stuff—a mixture of whale oil, rosin, and brimstone (sulfur) for more than half the century then had copper sheathed bottoms. Most contemporary models of ships that had coppered bottoms do not show the copper plating. Years ago I asked about this and RMG responded that it was, as today, near impossible to produce sheathing to scale so occasionally the model builder would just paint the bottom copper color or leave it with no coating at all.
Allan

Hi Allan,
It was partly a general question about mid to late 18th century ships, but I have a VM Indefatigable kit (1794) which I am about to start and do not like the Colors as shown in the manual etc., particularly the bright red of the inner bulwarks, gun carriages and other deck furniture and would like it to look less toy like. I have used stains in the past with pleasing results, which also preserves the appearance of wood more. But was looking for inspiration as I like to pre plan my builds.