A History of the Idea of Glued Linen Armour

[Dan D'Silva]

Apparently veg tanned leather was not common in the Hoplite era, oil tanning seems to be what was used (for reasons that escape me) and I am told such leather is very difficult to add vibrant colors to due to the oils used in the tanning process...so what explains our new awareness of garish colored tube and yokes being used by Hoplites?

Just gonna throw this out there:  In my experience, oil-tanned leathers take colors well.  I've dyed it with madder and painted it with a beeswax-linseed oil medium.  It is not oily in texture, and the sueded surface makes it easy for paint to stick.