Tartans and clan colors

[Wayneb]

Never realized that there were various colors based on various "Clans".......After viewing in finished works by Jason on the "Clansman" the question was asked...What Clan was he from based on the colors he used for the tartan.....And I always thought the colors were more or less a free for all as far as creativity goes................
Only reason I ask that question is I'm contemplating starting on an old Warriors bust sculpted by Rosengrant but not crazy about the box art colors of green on his right and red on his left.
The bust is called ''HIGHLANDER....BATTLE OF CULLODEN.....well sculpted and cast.
I guess the question is.....are there options.....or say forget the rivet counters.....Regards........Wayne

 

[Old Pete]

Hi,
You can paint any tartan you like, at the time there were no official clan tartans you wore the one the weaver in your area made.Most tartans seen today are made up you could even have one made for yourself and start your own clan

 

[Colin_Fraser]

Check out clanfraser.org for examples of the tartans associated with only one Culloden clan (mine as it happens). Twenty-one varinats and allvery different. Way more than I ever imagined. I would choose a tartan linked to a Culloden clan, even if modern.

Colin

 

[peedee]

Wayne, most miniature painters seem dis-satisfied with the simplicity of plaid from the 1st half
of the 18th century and add more and more colours in an attempt to replicate what they
think must be more correct because of the more modern military and clan use of the word Tartan.
Please keep the colours simple, few, muted and harmonious and in that way you will have the most
realistic sett worn on a model.
Think of sage and moss greens, red browns and sandy tones and ochres with black and dark grey.
Try drawing a few styles with coloured pencils first, and when you choose one, stick with it and don't add more.
Paul

 

[DEL]

Basically as stated by Old Pete you wore what was available and what you could afford.
The chiefs would have been prone to strut their stuff in more colourful and finer weaves but I suspect even they would choose colours based on personal preference as much as anything else.
Here's a couple of interesting sites
http://www.1745rising.org/articleimpression.html
http://www.tartan.galician.org/history.htm
Derek

 

[brian]

Tartan,as we know it now, was a Victorian romantification of tartan.I think there is only about 5 tartans that are around today that were around in the 18th century.If you keep to earthy tones you cant go far wrong and as for the rivet counters,ignore them,as there is no definites when it comes to tartan for that period.
Brian

 

[OldTaff]

There are even Welsh 'tartans'[and whisky!] See, we'll steal anything to turn a profit Not that its relevant to this thread, but I thought I'd throw it in the mix anyway

Alan

 

[brian]

Us Jocks cannot match you Taffs for singing ,and digging big holes in the ground.

 

[theBaron]

There are even Welsh 'tartans'...

Irish, too, aren't there, and just about as authentic, aren't they? Weren't they invented by the Victorians as well, along with kilts for Irish? Or is that something we've come up with over here?

Prost!
Brad

 

[brian]

All that PC crap has spoilt a lot of things my friend.

 

[Wayneb]

Thanks very much guys for all the info...Very much appreciated.....Regards,..Wayne

 

[theBaron]

Careful--me grand-dad's family came from Wales. Here's an old home movie....



Prost!
Brad

 

[Wayneb]

Hey Brad.........That looks like my family now except a slight difference in the spelling of the word Wales..IE:...we all "Wails" on each other and that's the truth....Thanks for the funny........Wayne.......