Paint Container

[Elaine Kessinger]

For an upcoming event I've agreed to paint the lettering on a banner. This is the one we're doing: http://www.flickr.com/photos/unforth...7616420113384/

We've thought of using paint decanted into a "period" container.

The question becomes... What container?

It is my understanding that paint was bought from an apothecary in period... who received pigment in bulk, mixed the pigment with the appropriate liquid medium, and sold the specially-mixed paint. Anyone have a clue what that container or label was involved?

If anyone has a period black paint recipe that will dry quickly... that would be welcome too.

I'm not trying to fish for info... searching guidance is accepted.

[PieBoy96]

Re: Paint Container

Here's a photo of some original paint cans, although they may be a bit larger than you need: http://www.shorpy.com/node/8544?size=_original

Paul Boccadoro

[dixieflyer]

Re: Paint Container

Neat, not much difference between then and the can you pick up at the big box store. Too bad we can't see the lids.

[Elaine Kessinger]

Re: Paint Container

Also too bad we don't know if paint came in smaller quantities than a gallon pail.

-but thanks for posting this picture :-) for a variety of reasons.

[Hank Trent]

Re: Paint Container

Also too bad we don't know if paint came in smaller quantities than a gallon pail.

-but thanks for posting this picture :-) for a variety of reasons.

Do we know that people didn't also sometimes buy the pigments and oil/turpentine/drier separately, and mix it at home? I just figured they did, and if so, that might open up a wider variety of containers, depending what was available around the house.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@gmail.com

[Lazarus Driver]

Re: Paint Container

I know the question is about the containers the paint was in, but are all the brushes round? I don't know anything about the style of brushes, flat vs. round, just wondering if anyone has info on that. (as seen in the photo)

Bill Thomas
Driver
Lazarus Battery

[SoMD Swamprat]

Re: Paint Container

Those containers look to me like sheet iron pails with no provision for attaching a lid. I would imagine that an operation like that would have mixed paint in sizable quantities each day and the painters refilled their pails as needed from a central stock. Not at all unlike how they do it today, use up a five gallon bucket a quart or so at a time.

I'd recommend finding out if any current paint or pigment compaines were in existance tin the 1860s, then contact any you find and see what they may have in their archives. I've had good luck with this in the past and most of the companies I have contacted requesting archival information (primarily product labels) have been very forthcoming with anything they thought may be of help.

[P. M. Cunningham, Tinner]

Re: Paint Container

I am more in line with Hank's mode of sales of paint. There are to many published recipes for paint formulas during the period to dismiss home manufacture with purchased pigment. I know folks have shown me examples of pigment cans in the last twenty years, unfortunately I have no copies. The image Paul linked probably shows four different tin pails/kettles and one wooden cask form. These are probably not containers sold with paint, they are simply dispensing modes used while actually painting, just like a good painter today doesn't use a can but works with a smaller bucket.

Pat Cunningham

[benjclark]

Re: Paint Container

Linseed oil label from a paint company ca. 1866 via Library of Congress:
http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2001701501/

[ElizabethClark]

Re: Paint Container

Along Mr Trent's line of thought: what about looking at how artists got/mixed their paints, and see if there are modern art supplies that could be useful, as they are close to period options?

My other thought: different paint preparations will have a different effect on the textiles, so that could be a definite argument in favor of slower-drying, but more flexible/historic options.

[Hank Trent]

Re: Paint Container

Along Mr Trent's line of thought: what about looking at how artists got/mixed their paints, and see if there are modern art supplies that could be useful, as they are close to period options?

My other thought: different paint preparations will have a different effect on the textiles, so that could be a definite argument in favor of slower-drying, but more flexible/historic options.

As far as where to get the paint, that's definitely the way to go. Not sure what kind of containers they offer, but modern upscale artists supply places will sell the dry pigments and oils in small quantities, to reproduce standard period oil paint. For a quicker cheaper option, even the pigments in tubes are pretty close to just the dry powders already mixed thickly with oil, at the stage where they'd only need dilution.

I'm curious, though, what was used to paint fabric in the period. Just regular oil paint, or something different? But it's my understanding that period paint isn't wanted in this case anyway, just the container, so that's all moot. :(

Hank Trent
hanktrent@gmail.com

[Elaine Kessinger]

Re: Paint Container

We will have about 3 hours between the painting of the banner lettering and needing it to be dry enough to hang.

I have agreed to take on the painting of this banner as a favor to the event organizers.... because they have been asking for a banner for two events running now and NO ONE is coming forth to have anything to do with the project. (as in... I'm not doing this because I'm a talented painting artist or because I have an especial interest in period banner-painting.)

I agreed to portray one of the wealthiest women in this re-created community, who is visiting her relatives (who are mourning their in-laws). ...I wanted to do the painting of the banner before visitors for two reasons... first to have as little to do before-hand in the flurry of getting ready for the event and second, because I really wanted the "visitors" to see a woman doing something other than needlework.

So... if any of you have a period paint suggestion that will be dry enough to hang in three hours, will not be messy to mix while wearing a silk dress, and is extremely cheap, cheap, very cheap to acquire... then I'd be very happy to use period paint. (... I DO prefer to use historic methods whenever I can... it just doesn't seem practical in this case)

[ElizabethClark]

Re: Paint Container

You'll definitely want a painter's smock. :) This isn't the sort of activity (even for a gentlewoman painter) for silk dresses, I'm afraid.

A certain amount of experimentation may be in order, testing oil paints (perhaps transfer them to pots for the exhibition portion) and silks in the sort of weather you're anticipating? I think showing the painting is a very cool thing.

Were it my project, I think I'd do two identical banners: one entirely finished and dried before the event (to be presented/flown) and one you can work on as a demo at the event. That will allow you to stop and chat, with no time pressure and no perfection pressure, so long as you're using the same basic arrangement as the finished banner. That sounds like it would be a challenge in the time-frame you have leading up to this event, though. I'm sorry--I'm not filled with very many good suggestions on how to accomplish all the goals at once today. :)

[Mutt]

Re: Paint Container

I know, old thread, but for the sake of adding to it as a future resources for others, here's another image showing a paint container: http://www.shorpy.com/node/3173?size=_original You'll find it front and center, paint dripping out and on the bruch. Awesome image for aprons and pipes as well!

Best,