Knight
A friend had been in several re-enactment groups and possessed a fairly comprehensive reproduction armoury in his spare room. This is substantially a self-portrait! I was allowed to dress up in costume whilst my friend took photos. At my friend’s request, I’m represented as Lord Robert Fitzwalter (before 1180-1235).
Even a coat of light mail, like the one depicted, is actually incredibly heavy. The shield works remarkably well as a support; it’s a convenient size to allow you to lean on it and take some of the weight of your feet! Even just standing still it’s tiring, so genuine knights would have had to be incredibly fit to wear one on a battlefield. With the facemask up and helmet on, it’s also remarkably difficult to hear anything.
Gouache on cartridge paper.