Mr. Pentzak

Individuals and Societies

Paleolithic Paint

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

Rational behind lesson

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

Brief Background

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 spoonSticks, 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.

Materials

Materials

Step One

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

Step Two

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

Step Three

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

Step Four

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

Try making a paintbrush!

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!

Try another color!

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!

Try another color!

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!

Prepare your canvas!

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!

End result

Obviously my

cave painting

skills need

practice!

Just make the paint and bring in a paper pagWe will paint at schoolTransport 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!

Remember: