A Few Recent Experiments With Clays and Paints

In which I review the results of some recent clay and paint experiments on pottery.
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[@markgibsons_SWpottery]

I am really one of the guys who just appreciates what ever the fire does to the pottery as long as it fires to ceramic, and does not break! Mark Jr. on the other hand likes to see them come out perfect, but they only come out perfect on rare occasions... Love your work, Sir, especially since most of it comes out of the fire looking like they should!

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks

[@sheilam4964]

Thx for doing this, filming this and sharing this with us. 👍👍👍👍👍

[@AncientPottery]

You are welcome

[@sidthemyth]

i like the aesthetics of the test plates...

[@AncientPottery]

Thank you

[@Jumpin.Jagaloon]

The clay i would find at my grandfather's pond had a strong purplish red hue.

[@AncientPottery]

That's cool. Too bad those purple clays don't keep their color through the firing process.

[@EliotChildress]

I’m really liking the lighting in this video. Maybe just a tiny bit more contrast light in the background to show off your wares?

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks, I am always learning and trying to improve

[@nom_b]

I love seeing the results of your experiments. I hope your student remembers how they mixed the paint ;-)

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks Nom

[@deltatoy1552]

I watched a video recently about salt being used to glaze a pot by throwing it in the furnace when firing (traditional European pottery). Perhaps there is a native salt that the Southwest Natives would have had access to that potentially could glaze!

[@AncientPottery]

I have done some experiments with salt, check out this video ua-cam.com/video/T43SPssR1VI/v-deo.html

[@angeladazlich7145]

Worth thinking about and learning from

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks

[@jessegreywolf]

Great info about the number of coats of paint. I always learn something watching your videos. Hopefully someday i will be in a position to throw clay and fire again soon

[@AncientPottery]

I hope so too!

[@willorocks]

Some cool tests, and results! Those white mountain colors sure are awesome! Always wondered where that particular color comes from, or was achieved. Pretty cool! What really blew my mind in this video was the thickness of white slip didn't effect the evenness of the darkness of black at all from just one layer on up.

[@AncientPottery]

Yes, that's true, the blackness is not effected by the thickness of the slip.

[@puckingery915]

How to identify a potter: dried clay smudge on face. Really cool yellow clay with the carbon, looked sort of greenish-blue. I wonder if that would let someone paint a full color Macaw? Something I'm keen on doing to be honest. I want to replicate ancient pottery because I cant afford the real stuff, but I also want to do more modern stuff with the ancient tech.

[@mihailvormittag6211]

👍

[@johna.9373]

Andy Thanks for sharing your amazing knowledge. I’m interested in wild clay. Down here on the coast of Louisiana where it’s extremely wet so in most cases that see is a brick red clay. In mud when it dries and cracks it appears to be dirt and sand (brown). So it’s difficult. My question do know anything about finding wild clay in subtropical and/or tropical (wet) areas? And where do you get the corn grinder? And is brick dust or planting pots a good source for tempera? Thxs

[@AncientPottery]

I lived in Louisiana for a couple of years but I never messed with clay during that time. I do know a couple of people in Louisiana who are harvesting wild clay there. One is collecting clay that crawfish bring up to the surface.

[@IceLynne]

Love the student bowl that glazed. How often do you offer workshops? And what is your location? Thanks!

[@AncientPottery]

I usually have workshops in the spring and fall and always in southeast Arizona. Details are on my website at ancientpottery.how

[@IceLynne]

@@AncientPottery thank you!

[@henyo5409]

Hey andy! I love your videos, me and my friends also live in tucson and work in hohokam sites. We REALLY want to try your method of making pottery and im really keen to check it out. Problem is, i have sensory issues and i know for a fact i will not be able to use pottery that doesnt have a glaze. its the feel and the sound of skin brushing over unglazed ceramic, i find it so incredibly uncomfortable. I see so much value in what youve taught us and i understand and appreciate your stance that glaze is overrated, but would you do a video showing how glaze was done back then so i can get use out of my pieces?

[@user-pi2fb9kd4e]

I may have missed this but how much time did you allow between coats?

[@airstreamwanderings3683]

Experimentation is at the heart of rediscovering the craft of prehistoric pottery and you have done much to advance the knowledge. Your work has made primitive pottery accessible to anyone with access to a shovel and a match. Thank you.

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks Wes, you have certainly done your part as well.

[@MorganTerzian]

hey where can I legally get clay

[@AncientPottery]

I cover that in a lot of my videos, like this one ua-cam.com/video/EB55tMhH2EE/v-deo.html
Generally, road sides are usually safe, private land with permission, construction sites (ask the guy in charge)

[@MorganTerzian]

Thanks@@AncientPottery

[@jillatherton4660]

👍

[@user-pi2fb9kd4e]

I may have missed this but how much time did you allow between coats?

[@user-pi2fb9kd4e]

I may have missed this but how much time did you allow between coats?

[@AncientPottery]

I let it dry until it is not sticky to the touch.