As a boy I dearly lusted after a suit of reproduction armor in a gift shop in La Mesilla. There was no question of buying it.
Many years later I played Don Quixote on stage and decided to make my own costume armour. "What the heck," I thought "I've been an artist now for 20 years -- I can make my own damn armor!" So I did.
Two years later, I had learned a LOT, and had my first imperfectly-fit suit of armor. The next suit (in lighter guage steel) took about a month and a half to make. The first suit is mounted now, the second-one I wear.
What a great insight it gave me into the medieval world, and what an appreciation it gave me for the blinding artistry and skill of those artisans whose practices and genius I only dimly reflect.
Here's some of what I learned: 1) When armor doesn't fit right, it does not cause simple discomfort -- it cripples you in moments; 2) Armor absorbs heat from the sun at an impressive rate -- I could steam vegetables beneath my breastplate; 3) One can be extremely mobile in armor, and; 4) There is no such thing as too much padding underneath armor.
Rat Armor
Rat Helm construction
Rat Helmet
Rat Helmet
Great Helm
PIeces
Blacksmithing
Fireplace set
Rusty armor
Breastplate
Sabaton
Knight
Flying Fish
Seascape
Steel bikini
Torso
Rear
Nieuport cowling
Jackalope
Copyright notice: With the exception of a few historical photos in the public domain, all images and copy on this site are under the copyright of the artist, Bob Diven, or his clients. All rights reserved.
