How to Make Natural Mineral Paint for Pottery

Рет қаралды 17,076

Күн бұрын

Many of the beautiful decorations seen on ancient Southwest pottery was achieved through the use of mineral paints. This video explains how to use mineral pigments to make and apply paint to pottery. Watch as I experiment with different mineral paint recipes and fire them to see what makes a good, permanent paint.
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Paint Minerals
Manganese Dioxide amzn.to/3io3ZFa
Red Ochre amzn.to/3IkuaY0
0:00 How to make minerals stick to a pot?
2:00 Ancient examples of mineral paint on pottery
3:05 What minerals make good pottery paint?
4:23 How to mix and apply mineral paint
7:03 Firing the pottery
8:09 The results, what worked, what didn't
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Пікірлер: 134

@AncientPottery 2 жыл бұрын

If you are interested in collecting your own manganese as opposed to buying it online like I did in this video. Check out this video where I visit some abandoned manganese mines in New Mexico kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fMV2qLOgna-zkWw.html

@andrewdunton6304 2 жыл бұрын

Man this is so much more impressive then using store bought stuff and modern techniques like wheels.

@AncientPottery 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Andrew.

@marciacunningham5877 2 жыл бұрын

My biggest problem with mineral paint is smearing from holding the pot while painting. I have tried several things for binders to prevent this. I have found that Elmer's glue works very well. It actually is best of all. I know it's not natural, but it works. Michael

@AncientPottery 2 жыл бұрын

That's a good tip. Native people around here use boiled down plant material such as Rocky Mountain Bee Plant or Tansy Mustard. I like Mesquite sap. There are many natural possibilities.

@reginac5168 6 ай бұрын

I would love that pot as I appreciate the geometric shapes you created and the flow of the pot body itself. I am a beginner in pottery and just learning what you are teaching us is wonderful, an example of what I could one day do with me would be wonderful!

@AncientPottery 6 ай бұрын

Wonderful!

@QuailCanyonAnthropolgy 2 жыл бұрын

Great experiment. I have also found that paint is still fugitive even when mixed with 20% clay. I do have some new ideas because of this video. Thanks again Sir, Andy!

@AncientPottery 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Mark, exactly what I found in this video, 30% is a more robust mixture.

@michaellowe2305 9 ай бұрын

Oh great , now I've gotta make pottery

@Sasha-sy7ux 2 жыл бұрын

Great video. Im ramping up getting back into pottery after 30 years. I've taken all of your master classes and would LOVE to have this a reminder to NOT GIVE UP!!! @shotsbysonya

@AncientPottery 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Sonya, truly, never give up, every failure is a chance to learn.

@davidedwards8282 2 жыл бұрын

Great, i could use this pot to refer to when im experimenting with my mineral paint

@davidedwards8282 2 жыл бұрын

Id like to have this pot because you made it. I can use it as a reference also.

@GGseas 2 жыл бұрын

I love your channel! You've inspired me to start hunting for natural clay and minerals here in north western Arizona.

@AncientPottery 2 жыл бұрын

Well you're in a great place for that. Lots of great clays and minerals in NW Arizona. I know a couple of potters whose favorite clays come from the Arizona Strip.

@GGseas 2 жыл бұрын

I've only lived here for about 3 years, so could you tell me what specific area the "Arizona Strip" refers to.

@AncientPottery 2 жыл бұрын

@@GGseas The Arizona Strip is that area in the very northern part of the state above the Grand Canyon along the border of Utah

@JoshuaFinancialPL 8 ай бұрын

i cried a little for your poor beautiful kiln casualty

@PennyRitz 2 жыл бұрын

I would love to be able to make my own paint from stuff I find in my yard! I will have to go on some mineral field trips! Great experiments, I look forward to watching more! Sadly, I don't use instagram, but good luck to everyone else!

@AncientPottery 2 жыл бұрын

Sorry, so many comments from people who don't use Instagram, that was a bad idea on my part.

@marileialeia6073 2 жыл бұрын

Bom dia Sou Brasileira adoro seu estilo sua arte me leva a um lugar primitivo que adoro

@AncientPottery 2 жыл бұрын

Obrigado, fico feliz em te inspirar.

@coopart1 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Andy! Always enjoy.

@AncientPottery 2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it Jeff.

@llanitedave 2 жыл бұрын

I've had some success with manganese dioxide and 30% brown smectite, and red iron oxide with 30% white smectite. Using the white smectite for white paint is still a struggle, though. I'm experimenting with various percentages of kaolin, which tends to flake off if there's too much. Yours was an interesting experiment!

@AncientPottery 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Dave. Your comment brings up another point, that the type of clay makes a difference too. Are you buying this clay you are using? Otherwise how do you know what type it is? Send me an email if you want to hear my story about trying to get my clay tested. Long story short, I couldn't.

@llanitedave 2 жыл бұрын

@@AncientPottery I bought the kaolin from Aardvark clay in Los Angeles. The smectites are both from native deposits within 30 miles of home. The white smectite is an altered volcanic tuff that contains -- I believe -- hectorite. The only reason I say this is because it was quarried in the vicinity at one time, although I don't know for sure if this is the exact material that the records referred to. It fires white in oxidation and black in reduction. The brown smectite I found unexpectedly on Air Force land, the geological setting is kind of puzzling, but I believe it was ash erupted into a lake. I gathered a bucket of it before it was closed off to the public -- there *might* be another finger of the deposit on public land, but I'd need to do some hiking to find out. Continue to have serious cracking problems during drying -- tried two different base clay bodies, both are too stiff to use as is. Adding 2% smectite and 25% temper makes them delightfully workable, but it still takes extreme babying to make them dry without cracking. A couple of bowls and pukis have survived, but no living jars yet.

@blancawyatt3092 2 жыл бұрын

I learned today about natural paints I'm being curious about rock color pigments very nice. And this beautiful pot I would like to use it to make Mexican cafe for my special guests also hot chocolate is perfect.

@AncientPottery 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome, that would be a brilliant use for it. Thanks!

@chompers11 Жыл бұрын

So helpful

@angelduncan9147 2 жыл бұрын

Great video! That answered a bunch of my questions about applying mineral pigments. I don't have Instagram so I'll just say good luck to everyone else. And thank you again for sharing your knowledge with us!

@AncientPottery 2 жыл бұрын

Well its not like you haven't won something recently. Glad that you found this helpful.

@angelduncan9147 2 жыл бұрын

@@AncientPottery very true! I'm making good use with both the polishing stone and the Manganese you gave me! Thanks again!

@genehickman1146 2 жыл бұрын

Another good test. I'm a real advocate of the scientific method, and you always come through. Thx.

@AncientPottery 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Gene, this will help to answer some of those questions we have been discussing on Wednesday night.

@fayezalhashem8771 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks again I want it because you my first clay teacher

@AncientPottery 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@wildsmooth9201 2 жыл бұрын

I would find pottery sherds along a paved heavy trafficked trail in my area. Hundreds of people just walking by or on ancient artifacts without even knowing it.

@AncientPottery 2 жыл бұрын

Yes, it’s that way in a lot of places around where I live. People walk over the ancient ruins and never look down to realize.

@jasongannon7676 2 жыл бұрын

Your work is very inspiring

@AncientPottery 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much 😀

@abbasduman6963 2 жыл бұрын

Nice work! When working with minerals you have to pay attention its possible health risks. Manganeseoxide for instance can be a health hazard when inhaled while lead can be dangerous for humans.

@AncientPottery 2 жыл бұрын

So true and I have mentioned this in other videos where I was grinding the stuff. If you are just measuring it dry and wetting it for paint there should be very little chance of inhalation though. Also probably not a good idea to lick your brush.

@FortMat31 4 ай бұрын

🇮🇱

@angeladazlich7145 2 жыл бұрын

Very helpful!

@AncientPottery 2 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@williamschleser6663 2 жыл бұрын

Your the best, Andy

@AncientPottery 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks

@Craftsanddolls 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing!

@AncientPottery 2 жыл бұрын

You bet!

@garypaisley 2 жыл бұрын

Fascinating

@AncientPottery 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@skipo84 9 ай бұрын

Thanks again for the great info. I just need to know how many hours did you fire the pot? I just made a brick style kiln like yours and ready to fire my first bowl :)

@precidesmartinez1368 2 жыл бұрын

Just would love to have one of your pots.

@AncientPottery 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks

@glasgavlen 2 жыл бұрын

Why would I like to win that pot? It'd be a lovely reminder of everything you've taught me so far. I really have to thank you. I hadn't gotten back into pottery because I couldn't afford a wheel/studio time/classes/kiln time. I was lucky, I got free studio time as a really little kid while my mom was taking classes. I learned to throw on the wheel & LOOOOOVED IT!!! Still have a pot I made in 1975. From you I've learned a whole new (old) way that's exciting & empowering. Got me some clay this week & I can't wait to get my hands in it again. Thanks Andy!

@glasgavlen 2 жыл бұрын

Also my insta handle is exactly the same as my youtube

@AncientPottery 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome, thanks, glad to hear you are getting back into clay thanks to my videos.

@bigbranch1 2 жыл бұрын

Great video.....Copper carbonate and organic paint 50/50 in oxidation worked well for me in a recent test....

@AncientPottery 2 жыл бұрын

No fixative? If not then perhaps you are getting the copper hot enough to melt?

@bigbranch1 2 жыл бұрын

@@AncientPottery the organic paint adheres the copper....will try this again soon....

@Briaaanz 2 жыл бұрын

Don't need the pot, so not posting comment for the raffle... just wanted to say that I enjoyed the video and you're doing great work with your production

@AncientPottery 2 жыл бұрын

I appreciate that! Thanks for watching and commenting.

@airstreamwanderings3683 2 жыл бұрын

Great experiment and useful information. Do you tend to keep your paint watery so that it is more likely to soak in?

@AncientPottery 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks. I actually haven’t thought much about that but it would make another good experiment. I usually think about having the paint liquid enough to flow off the brush freely, if it starts getting thick I add water.

@asafaidan7409 Жыл бұрын

Hey! Love your channel! I got a question, would any rock do a good job when it comes to mineral paint?

@AncientPottery Жыл бұрын

Theoretically, but they need to be soft enough to easily grind into paint and then you need to know how they will fire, not all stones will stay the same color after the fire. I talk a little about what kinds of stones are best in this video kzfaq.info/get/bejne/eaeKoaeB1paymGw.html

@christophermauchline2586 2 жыл бұрын

Great video! Not ready for paint yet but hope to get there. Would love the pot as a sample of what to aim for (having trouble getting my rims as even as I'd like). Unfortunately I'm not on Instagram so I won't be able to enter. BTW, did you reward the starter tool sets?

@AncientPottery 2 жыл бұрын

Yes, I have selected the kit winners and boxed the kits I just need to mail them. The Instagram thing was a bad idea, apparently lots of people are not on Instagram so I won’t make that mistake again.

@markspc1 2 жыл бұрын

Great work Andy. BTW, I prefer no music on videos, it is distracting and diverts attention to the subject.

@AncientPottery 2 жыл бұрын

I have experimented quite a bit with the audio. Done it with no talking and no music, with talking and no music, with music and no talking, etc. You can look at some of my early videos to see all that. I have determined that my studio is too noisy because it is on a porch near a busy city street. The music helps to cover up that background noise and makes the video feel more professional than it would with all the noise. Now if I had a quiet studio, that would be different. Even when my surroundings are quiet I sometimes have to add background music. For example when I made the video about Tori Hoopes (kzfaq.info/get/bejne/pNiZfJSfyty8nmQ.html), she lives in the middle of nowhere where it is real quiet but unfortunately when I went to edit the video you could hear the air conditioner humming in the background so I had to add music to cover up the AC. Then I made the video about Bobby Silas (kzfaq.info/get/bejne/rayEptl1tJumnIk.html) and that was filmed on the Hopi Rez where it is real quiet and I edited the video with no music, it was real relaxing and nice. Then I showed the video to Bobby to get his input and he asked me to add in background music, so there you go.

@vintage99999 9 ай бұрын

All I want to do is make and paint some pots w mineral paint. I am new lol

@markirish7599 2 жыл бұрын

Beautiful craftsmanship. But sorry Andy I couldn't ever have instragram even if it ment I can't win the pot .but I will always like and comment to help your videos .💚🇮🇪🙏

@AncientPottery 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Mark. The instagram thing was a mistake.

@CeeJayKay 3 ай бұрын

Hi Andy, I'm getting ready to paint a wild clay w red slip pot with Manganese, will use the 66/33% recipe. I just thought I'd ask if we put 2 layers (2nd one after the 1st one dries) would that give it a better chance of being darker & more permanent? Oh, and .....Thank you for all you do !!! : )

@jackiegrant410 2 жыл бұрын

Cool beans, this is fab, as I said in another video, I’m a newbie to ceramics at the age of 61, I love this and want to rush out and buy everything (that’s just in my nature, bit impatient). However I’ve a question, is the biscuit firing the final stage?

@AncientPottery 2 жыл бұрын

Yes, traditional Southwestern ceramics are fired once only. Generally the second firing is for melting the glazes and this type of pottery is not glazed. However, if you wanted to glaze this you certainly could.

@jackiegrant410 2 жыл бұрын

@@AncientPottery thanks very much, this explains why you treat with lard or oil to seal the pots if you want to use them. 🤗

@axoss6553 Жыл бұрын

Hello andy if i dont want to make my own paint what kind of paint can i use ? Acrylic? And do i need to paint my pot before or after the firing?

@AncientPottery Жыл бұрын

If you use acrylic you will need to apply it after firing or it will burn up in the fire (acrylic is just plastic). If you want to paint before firing then try ceramic underglazes.

@mihailvormittag6211 2 жыл бұрын

👍

@user-jm4nv7oj2z 2 жыл бұрын

💕

@quantarch 11 ай бұрын

Would the mineral applied to the damp clay, then burnished, produce better results if the process was done say 2 or 3 times?

@AncientPottery 11 ай бұрын

Sure

@leepalmer3634 2 жыл бұрын

Manganese dioxide is about 80% of most alkaline cell batteries..

@AncientPottery 2 жыл бұрын

I'm not sure its a good idea to be tearing open batteries, it can be purchased rather inexpensively online.

@leepalmer3634 2 жыл бұрын

@@AncientPottery True, not sure about possible contamination. But it's basically free.

@GGseas 2 жыл бұрын

Andy, did you have to preheat the pot before firing it, or is it enough preheating when you start the fire on top, and let it burn slowly downward?

@AncientPottery 2 жыл бұрын

Yes, I did preheat in my oven at 250 for an hour or so. Because this video was specifically about firing I didn't cover that here.

@GGseas 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks. I will need to fire my own pots too, so I have lots to learn! I was sort of hoping you didn't need to preheat in an oven, because I have an RV stove that is very small.

@liammiller8112 2 ай бұрын

so can i use food dyes, dye the clay, wait for it to dry and then when i need to use it i can just when the brush and use it? cause... i have food dies... no black though, or white, so i'd need some help with that if anything

@AncientPottery 2 ай бұрын

I would assume that food dyes are organic in nature and would burn away in the fire, But I am no expert on food dye.

@4EvMyLovSav 2 жыл бұрын

Where did you get the great containers you had you homemade manganese in? Also what does oil do if combined with powder used to color? Though I would like pot I don't have Instagram as I have a degoogled phone & to keep it "less spy" I must not use certain apps. I use the alt one recommended by Ron Braxman & flow his guide lines. Oh well!

@AncientPottery 2 жыл бұрын

Good question about the oil, I have never tried but might make an interesting experiment. The containers came from Hobby Lobby. So many comments today from people without Instagram, I guess that was a bad idea on my part. You can shoot me an email if you want.

@johanneswerner1140 2 жыл бұрын

I knew your channel's community has some sense (Re Instagram). 😄 Cool experiment, love it when you show us these things!

@latetodagame1892 2 жыл бұрын

So, how do I buy your stuff?

@AncientPottery 2 жыл бұрын

Meaning how to buy my pottery or are you looking for pottery tools and materials? I feel a few things on my website at ancientpottery.how

@DMB088 Ай бұрын

I've been looking through your videos for an answer to my question, but can't find it. Can indigo be used for coloring, either adding to to the clay or making a paint from it? I'm growing indigo this year for coloring cold - process soap, so I will have a lot of indigo!

@AncientPottery Ай бұрын

No. Because pottery is fired, any organic dyes will burn away leaving, at best carbon and at worst nothing.

@DMB088 Ай бұрын

@@AncientPottery thank you for your wisdom! It makes complete sense now that I think of it that way. I'll keep my indigo for soap and cotton!

@martijnverzijl1999 2 жыл бұрын

So sad its only US addresses only :(

@AncientPottery 2 жыл бұрын

International shipping is crazy, I wish it weren't. Over half my audience lives in some country other than the US.

@Spring_rhys 2 жыл бұрын

Hm, I can’t tell if my entry comment posted right or not, KZfaq isn’t letting me see it for whatever reason. Might have gotten auto hidden because I mentioned the site you’re going to DM the winner on? Coulda gotten auto detected as spam or something

@AncientPottery 2 жыл бұрын

Sorry, because of your comment I just realized that I have a huge backlog of comments being held for review. It's probably in there but I will take care of it. You are in, thanks!

@Spring_rhys 2 жыл бұрын

@@AncientPottery Cool, thanks man! Glad my comment managed to help out. KZfaq is so weird about what it’ll hold sometimes.

@danielhutto8387 2 ай бұрын

Sir I'm confused, I thought the order of events would be wet process the clay, let it dry out well, form it, do a bisque fire in a homemade kiln, THEN paint it, and then seal it. You almost seem to be suggesting you paint it while it's still green and then you do your very first bisque fire. Is that correct? Thank you

@AncientPottery 2 ай бұрын

You thought wrong. Southwest pottery is always fired only once so the painting and any other decoration are applied to greenware.

@danielhutto8387 2 ай бұрын

@@AncientPottery thank you very much for the response, I ended up seeing another video of yours breaking down how different minerals end up looking based on the firing and you said the exact same thing. That's wild, thank you!

@ghaniaghania5831 2 жыл бұрын

السلام علكم اشكرك على متقدمه ولكن للاسف لا افهم اللغة الانقلزية ولكن اريد ان اسالك على مقدار الطين ومقدار المادة التي تظاف لطين لمنع التشقق انا كلما اصنع وعاء يتشقق سوال اخر الطبقة الحمراء التي تطلى فوق الانية كي تصبح حمراء كلها وملساء وشكرا كثيرا يريت تعمل ترجمة بلعربية

@AncientPottery 2 жыл бұрын

كقاعدة عامة ، أضف 20٪ رمل إلى الطين كمزاج لمنع التشقق عند التجفيف والحرق.

@ghaniaghania5831 2 жыл бұрын

@@AncientPottery الرمل الأبيض أو الاحمر؟؟

@ghaniaghania5831 2 жыл бұрын

الرمل الذي يصلح للبناء سمحتي اذا أثقلت عليك للأسئلة وشكرا

@Timmyjg2004 6 ай бұрын

I bought some yellow iron oxide and mixed like 40% clay in, I brushed it on to a clay pot that is slightly wetter than leather hard. And once it hardens a bit, shall I wet stone it or dry stone?? Thanks

@AncientPottery 6 ай бұрын

Dry.

@AncientPottery 6 ай бұрын

You need a class Timmy.

@Timmyjg2004 6 ай бұрын

@@AncientPottery is it wrong? 😬

@Timmyjg2004 6 ай бұрын

@@AncientPottery or do i just ask too many questions

@AncientPottery 6 ай бұрын

@@Timmyjg2004 no your good but you could definitely benefit from a class.

@user-xv4nv2no3w 3 ай бұрын

I would like to have pot of yours to say my prayers with I am 5 times nat.am.ind.from east side and lost my only plate in fire happy stile 64 I am trying to Pic up my people ways in pottery coil style yes I will cover and smoke it for my self. And grandfather grandfather wado

@AncientPottery 3 ай бұрын

I sell pottery on my website, ancientpottery.how