Mr. Pentzak Individuals and Societies

How did humans communicate before written language? What things do prehistoric paintings tell us about the people that left them behind? If you were going to leave a record behind for someone that didn’t know your language, what symbols or pictures would you use to show them what your life was like? We will create our own paint using similar materials early humans would have used in the stone age. We will then use our paints to create a painting that represents the things that are important to us/daily life WITHOUT using words

Stone age paints were made by mixing pigments with liquid fats or sometimes eggs Often, sap from plants was mixed in to bing the fat and the pigment together and make it smoother Dark, bold colors like black, red, organge and brown were the most common colors used Brushes were made from plant fibers, animal hairs, feathers, and twings (sometimes just fingers would be used) Works of art were often “signed” with the artist’s hand print

Vegetable Oil (really any kind of liquid fat will work) Dish Soap (or school glue thinned with water) Pigment (crushed rocks, shells, charcoal, dirt, flower petals, or berries) Brown Paper Bag Mixing bowl and spoon Sticks, grass, leaves, etc. for optional paintbrush *Please Note* We will paint in class. Please come with a paper bag and the paint you made. If you are unable to make paint, I will have some for you to use. Please ask permission before making this as it can get pretty messy! Make your own brush if you want, or I will provide a modern one for you to use.

Crush your pigment source (dark colors work best) I used charred wood from my fire pit and crushed it with a rock and my wooden spoon (wrapped in plastic wrap to prevent staining

Add oil to the crushed pigment gradually. I did it a capful at a time The amount you need will vary depending on the amount of pigment powder you have

Once the oil and pigment has been mixed, add dish soap to help bind your mixture I added two squirts of soap about the size of quarters for this batch of paint Mix well

Keep stirring and break up any stubborn clumps Add more soap if the paint seems too runny Add more oil (or water) if paint seems too dry

Gather materials (I used dry pine needles and grass) Arrange them in a bundle and use thin and flexible blades of grass to tie it together Trim to desired length This step is completely OPTIONAL!

These marigold petals made a nice orange paint Using flower petals makes the paint lumpy and it needed more soap Exeriment with some plants that you find in your yard!

This clay soil made an excellent reddish brown color! The clay wanted to clump, this took a lot of stirring! Experiment with different color dirt!

Cut a brown paper pag to the size you want your final painting to be Crumple the pieces up into tight balls, then smooth out on a flat surface The end result should be a textured “cave” effect!

Obviously my cave painting skills need practice!

Just make the paint and bring in a paper pag We will paint at school Transport the paint in a tightly sealed tupperware, plastic bag, or empty water bottle. I recommend carrying it in a separate bag/in lunch box so that if it does leak your school binders and laptop will not be damaged You will not get a grade for the paint, if you cannot bring it in, do not worry about it!