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Is there any information on the appearance of various siege engines?

trebuchets and towers constructed 'on site' would be natural unfinished wood
But care must have been taken on the appearance of some standard equipment.

The skytower above is quite ornate and the overlook tower also has some decoration so presumedly these would have a finish to match. Unless, of course, these extra features were added by the artist.

Could these be varnished or maybe even lacquered? The trebuchet above is depicted black!?
What about brightly painted? Is this a possibility?

Thanks for any help.

I think it might be possible because many Chinese craftsmen are/were as proud of their work and art as any regular persons in modern days. I have heard some ancient and modern Chinese craftsmen hiding their names or adding a few extra touches to objects of their creation even though those were not important to the functions or values of the objects they have/had created. I have seen a few ancient Chinese standard issued weapons and canons that had beautifully done and decorated carvings, etc. Therefore, I believe they could have actual paints or varnishes or maybe even lacquers on the surface of those ancient siege engines, especially some of these extra touches could definitely prevent rain water or melting snow to rot the wood and thus have actual practical function than just mere decorations.

The book to read more about this is Liang Jieming's Chinese Siege Warfare : Mechanical Artillery and Siege Weapons of Antiquity

Check it out at http://www.chinahistoryforum.com/index.php?showtopic=12870