mr. pentzak individuals and societies. how did humans communicate before written language? what...
TRANSCRIPT
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
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!
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: