I have used the linseed oil and pigment approach( pigment from the paint ships). Well it works. I am just waiting for it to dry properly (?linseed oil) The pigment does stain the wood gently but it also powders, and if you rub your finger on it it will come off on it.

I am sure that if i use it as it is it will wash off and leave a very thin cover of colour. I was wondering if I should varnish over the top of it? Any advice?

I am also more than willing to suggest that Brian N's suggestion of using oil paint of appropriate colour as the pigment, might well be a better idea. I suspect that the pigment will not powder and stay on the surface like my experience.

As i was searching around i found a site that sold "milk paints" which they apparently use for painting Indian artifact reproductions. It is in powder form and you mix it up. Has anyone used this? Particularly for salt water immersion.

Your opinions will be welcome, but more and more i am thinking i will use oil paint to pigment my varnish, and paint it that way (the next paddle I make, that is) How important is authenticity? [OK, authenticity was a "red herring"]

: I tried coloring my aleut paddle with different products with some
: unsatisfactory results. Usually what I tried would wick along the grain
: and not give me decent color separation. I had very good results using an
: oil base paint (rustoleum) and apply the paint to a taped off area, then
: wipe off all the excess paint with a rag and it left a nice transparent
: color that didn't bleed and showed the wood grain well.