Painted shells are fairly self-explanatory, however it is usually the cast iron projectile part of the shell which is used. Oil-based paints bond better to the rough surface of cast iron - paintings on the brass shell casings themselves would flake off in a very short time. Painted projectiles are more uncommon - the ones below are my only example - partly because of the ease with which the paint rubs away, and partly because they could only be made if the artisan had access to oil paints. A hammer and punch were much easier to come by in war-torn France than a set of paints and brushes !!
|
