Roman Paint

[Marcus Velius Avitus]

Hi All,

Here is a question about Roman paints. Did the Romans ever use oil-based paints(like enamels)? I have heard from reenactors that the preferred paints fro decorating shields and the like are casein paints. Is this all we have ever found archaeologically? With all the paintings uncovered at Pompeii and Herculaneum, I wondered if any of them were done with oils or enamels? Or paited statuary for that matter...

Any "Roman art" gurus out there care to chime in?