What color is Saffron?

[d_Guy]

I am near ready to start painting somewhat over a hundred figures to serve as Highlanders at Flodden (and elsewhere). The predominate clothing color will be saffron. I am torn as to which Vallejo shade to use.

Looking at many interpretive illustrations, Golden Brown (70.877) would seem to be a match (really close to what Fierce Kitty uses as his ground cloth: http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,17059.msg250486.html#msg250486 ).
Also considering Sun Yellow (72.706) and/or Gold Yellow (72.007). These last two could probably be use as highlights for Golden Brown.

Does anyone have suggestions?

[paulr]

Apparently Buddhist monks robes are dyed with saffron 

[Ithoriel]

"Because Saffron was expensive, poor clansmen dyed the linen with horse urine or bark and crushed leaves to get the rich yellow colour."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/5675615/Scots-fought-in-bright-yellow-war-shirts-not-Braveheart-kilts.html

[fsn]

Bet lichen got a look in as well.

I would say d_Guy, that what you want is a fairly mild browny-yellow - on the lines of a buff coat. But I would add that of the 100 figures, I would, for the sake of authenticity, use 99 different yellows. (There's always one who comes in the same outfit you do.) There may have been the odd show-off, no doubt corrupted by decadent English ways, who sported some bright jonquil tone, but they would be few and in the front rank and die quickly.

[Norm]

"Because Saffron was expensive, poor clansmen dyed the linen with horse urine or bark and crushed leaves to get the rich yellow colour."

Sounds fun, I think even if I were rich, I would do that anyway! great excuse to smell like a field, but look like a Lord.

I have always thought of Saffron as Golden Yellow.

[Raider4]

Apparently Buddhist monks robes are dyed with saffron  :-

They're usually described as saffron-coloured, but I believe they actually use turmeric as the dye.

[d_Guy]

Thanks for the quick replies.
Paul - The monks wear several bright shades but the orange gold sees most abundant - it may be too reddish for the vegetable dyes in the British Isles (but various roots apparently do red, so who knows). Some interesting shades to look at, however - thanks.

Ithorial - thanks for that article - I need to look into the book mentioned.  The vegetable dye hobbyists seem to think that plants in the weld family were used and the urine was used more to fix the color then to get the primary shade (but again - who knows) - need the Scots army uniform regulations for 1513! 

As it happens, fsn, I use the Golden Brown for buff coats and belts so it remains a leading candidate for "saffron". As to the ninety-nine shades - I actually did that with my hodden greys (even randomly repainting ones that I had bought pre-painted) - No one noticed. 
Still if I can't decide....

Sounds fun, I think even if I were rich, I would do that anyway! great excuse to smell like a field, but look like a Lord.

I have always thought of Saffron as Golden Yellow.

Likely the entire 16th century reeked - even without using their precious bodily fluids to dye their clothing. Golden Yellow is attractive as well.

They're usually described as saffron-coloured, but I believe they actually use turmeric as the dye.

And I reading now, not only turmeric but several different spices which give the variety of shades.

[d_Guy]

FWIW - just looked into the book - it is just a tad pricey!   
https://www.amazon.com/Scottish-Arms-Armour-Shire-Collections/dp/0747806985/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1518123712&sr=8-1&keywords=scottish+arms+and+armour

[Steve J]

IIRC Saffron Walden in Essex gets its name from the fact that it was the major import centre for the spice in times gone by.

[petercooman]

Horse urine..... golden yellow.......


must resist..... shower joke...

[petercooman]

And now on topic:

http://ilivewithcats.blogspot.be/2017/07/for-pikes-must-be-together.html

Apparantly vallejo dark sand is suggested here.

[FierceKitty]

FWIW - just looked into the book - it is just a tad pricey!   
https://www.amazon.com/Scottish-Arms-Armour-Shire-Collections/dp/0747806985/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1518123712&sr=8-1&keywords=scottish+arms+and+armour

So is saffron, mind you.

[Westmarcher]

Urine has been used since Ancient times for dyeing cloth and softening leather. Even for gunpowder! So just be careful the next time you pee and fart ....   

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/from-gunpowder-to-teeth-whitener-the-science-behind-historic-uses-of-urine-442390/

... and also teeth whitener? Come on, surely not ... 

[FierceKitty]

'fraid so. There's a poem by Catullus on the subject of an Iberian who keeps smiling to show off his teeth....

[fsn]

Who first thought it was a good idea to brighten your teeth with urine? Especially first thing in the morning. 

I mean, there's a certain efficiency in using a handy running liquid, but I think I'd have tried a few things beforehand.

Actually, a lot of things before considering my own wee.

Or did you use someone else's?

What is the etiquette here?

[Ace of Spades]

There's a song from the American Civil War about a man collecting the ladies' urine to extract the saltpeter for the manufacture of gunpowder.
Please enjoy! http://store.bobbyhorton.com/track/john-harrolson

Cheers,
Rob

[mollinary]

IIRC Saffron Walden in Essex gets its name from the fact that it was the major import centre for the spice in times gone by.

Not for importing the spice, but for growing the crocus from which it was extracted for, among other things, medical uses in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Mollinary

[d_Guy]

Once the leak of information began, it moved from a wee trickle to a flow that could hardly be staunched. I could almost hear it tinkling down on the pavement. Many pennies were spent. Much useful and fun information.

Peter, thanks for that blog link. Contemporary descriptions speak of bright yellow - although light sand to dark ochre seems possible.

Steve and Mollinary - I had never heard of Saffron Walden and looked through a bunch of links in Wikipedia (and elsewhere). Seems to agree with Mollinary's point about the crocuses (crocii?). 50K to 75K blossoms to make one pound of saffron. Would explain Kitty's point about the expense.

My best understanding now is Saffron is a color (colour) description that can be achieved my any number of ways. I may need to follow fsn's suggestion of using multi-shades (and try to make them more noticable). 

Thanks to all (even Westmarcher who provided an important safety tip).

[Terry37]

I wold use a yellow ocher, which is a nice mellow yellow, but also has a touch of brown in it.

Terry

[SV52]

Best I've found is an old Citadel colour 'Golden Yellow', I use it for Highlanders, Irish and for Indian figures.  The pot is almost gone so I'm mean with it.