Since the beginning of the times of man, animal skins have been used for a variety of reasons. They have been used as clothing, shelter, warmth, protection, communication. Painted hides, were used as fashion, tracked history and seasonal cycles of events and conveyed indigenous spirituality.
Wearing buffalo hides ensured warmth, especially because people wore them with the fur on the inside. The tanning of the hides were done primarily by the Native women, who processed animal skins into usable buckskins and furs. This fascinating historic method can be viewed here:
Paints and brushes used by Plains Artists
In the past, Plains artists used a bone or wood stylus to paint with natural mineral and vegetable pigments. Sections of buffalo rib could be ground to expose the marrow, which was absorbent and worked like a contemporary ink marker. Swelling cottonwood buds provided brown pigment.
Please view the fun children’s video story Legend of the Indian Paintbrush by Tomie dePaola:
Native Canadian Art Practices
Hide Tanning
Since the beginning of the times of man, animal skins have been used for a variety of reasons. They have been used as clothing, shelter, warmth, protection, communication. Painted hides, were used as fashion, tracked history and seasonal cycles of events and conveyed indigenous spirituality.
Wearing buffalo hides ensured warmth, especially because people wore them with the fur on the inside. The tanning of the hides were done primarily by the Native women, who processed animal skins into usable buckskins and furs. This fascinating historic method can be viewed here:
Paints and brushes used by Plains Artists
In the past, Plains artists used a bone or wood stylus to paint with natural mineral and vegetable pigments. Sections of buffalo rib could be ground to expose the marrow, which was absorbent and worked like a contemporary ink marker. Swelling cottonwood buds provided brown pigment.
Please view the fun children’s video story Legend of the Indian Paintbrush by Tomie dePaola:
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