I Overcame Failure to Make This Tusayan Polychrome Bowl

In which I make a replica Tusayan Polychrome bowl using traditional methods and natural materials.
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[@AncientPottery]

I took a little different approach to this video than my usual build video. Let me know what you think.

[@DroBuilds]

It was great I learned tons. Especially when you said cracking clay is normal with natural clay. I’ve been worrying about that a lot but now I know to just keep working with what I’ve got

[@SuperGuy250]

Is it normal for clay to be very very dense and when trying to collect not being able to even push your finger trough it? It was in water

[@nom_b]

Everything was great. Very entertaining video, lots of good info for pottery and filming, And the pots turned out beautiful 🥰. I also take my pots/bowls to the lounge room and put them on a cloth on my legs while smoothing. I'm usually watching your videos or Ancient Americas or something really interesting like that.

[@AncientPottery]

It seems you work on the floor anyway, so you are used to working on a pot in your lap. A couch would be a big upgrade from the floor. Thanks.

[@nom_b]

😂, you are right.. and it is a concrete floor with only a folded blanket on. So a nice soft chair in front of my computer is a real treat 😀

[@Mesmerise.]

Your videos are always so informative! I've always wanted to get into pottery, but it seemed too expensive to justify. I lived for over a decade, searching information online and checking how I can fire pottery, which always finished in me being sad and disappointed, since everywhere I looked, they told that you need a furnace. And these are freaking expensive. I don't have many local potteries, I'd have to travel for 2 hours to just fire my pottery, and it would also cost me greatly for even small mug, since they have monopoly and charge expensive. I discovered your channel couple months ago, and you showed me that I can start at basically no cost, but need to be prepared to fail at first. Thank you for that, Andy. You basically help me fulfill my dream!

[@AncientPottery]

You are welcome

[@Crust3d]

love watching you make clay, but hearing the history of peoples who made these ancient pieces is very enlightening. love it. Great channel you have here

[@AncientPottery]

Thank you very much!

[@Mesmerise.]

And also! Even though you mark previous challenge as 'fail' - I really enjoyed your research, process, troubleshooting, and the video as a whole!

[@AncientPottery]

Yes, that is the point, it is all educational no matter the outcome. But I would like a finished pot when I am done too.

[@saiskanda]

That sound when you tapped it after the oxidation firing 👌

[@AncientPottery]

Yes, golden!

[@bethbartlett5692]

I find Ancient Art most appealing to my senses. From the Cave Paintings/Drawings in France "Basque Country" originally Iberia, to the Greek key pattern, and the decorative patterns of Native American Art, each inspires me in my artistic endeavors. They are such delicious works by our ancestors.

[@AncientPottery]

Truly

[@jamescecil3417]

Nice video Andy, really well put together. Your narrative blended construction techniques and history very nicely.

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks Jim

[@kimberlydrennon4982]

Andy I am always inspired by your videos... Now I just need to get some time to work on pottery myself. Since you were commenting so much on the act of filming, I sense you are inviting suggestions. It looks like your camera was using a wide open aperture (F-stop), which creates a very narrow focal distance. A narrow focal distance is when there is a very narrow band of distances from the camera in which objects are in focus (sorry if this is obvious but I don't know what you know). This might be caused by the room you were painting in being too dark to get enough light for a good exposure without opening the aperture wide. This can be mitigated by shining more lights from different angles on the work while you are working on it, although that can also cause difficulty if you are using intense spot lights that reflect off of the work, so I recommend using bright lights but with a sheet between the light and the work to diffuse it. You can also possibly help the narrow focal distance by backing your camera up from the work and then zooming in, instead of having the camera right next to the work. As you noted, manual focus can help with the part where the camera keeps changing what it wants to focus on. Expanding your focal distance will help to have all parts of the pot in focus at a time.

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks for the suggestions. I am sure that would work for the focus issue, it never cross my mind to increase the F stop, instead I was just upset with the auto focus which was only part of the equation.

[@imkadosh]

Oh my God what a master piece you’ve made!!! I am in love with pottery especially that kind of pottery which is very thin and it looks like bone. I cannot believe you have made a replica of that treasure of who knows how old it is. I am so happy I happen to watch you! Thank you for filming the birth of that amazing piece!

[@AncientPottery]

Thank you so much 😊

[@airstreamwanderings3683]

Very nice. I enjoyed the history lesson that puts the pottery types in perspective. Plus - I really like Tusayan - its a beautiful pot.

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks Wes

[@SurvivalAussie]

Thanks so much for this video Andy. I have no one down here in Aus, who does Sth West pottery, so your videos are immensely helpful. Your use of a 'pooki'' (Is that the correct spelling?) was a revelation to me. I have taught my students for years to use a bowl as a form, but we would always use the outside of the bowl, then have issues getting the clay body off, due to shrinkage, so we would use a layer of thin cotton sheet, which helped, but seeing you use the inside makes so much sense. Sometime s the obvious, is not so obvious! After watching your videos on making paint stick, I am now trialling a slip of pure bentonite clay, with coloured oxides mixed with clay, as a paint. Wish me luck, I will be firing a whole bunch in less than 2 weeks.

[@AncientPottery]

That's awesome, I am glad my videos are helping you in Australia. It is spelled puki.

[@JonathanWalmsley-v3c]

You're a joy to watch...I've learned so much from you...thanks.

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks, glad to hear it

[@andrewsackville-west1609]

Beautiful pot, Andy. Thanks for sharing, as always.

[@AncientPottery]

My pleasure

[@ellenlinscheid9435]

Love this video Andy! The beginning was very fun. Bowl looks great! Thanks so much for sharing your hard work!

[@ellenlinscheid9435]

I also love the background

[@AncientPottery]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@AncientPottery]

Do you mean the background music?

[@ellenlinscheid9435]

I loved seeing the background setting with your shelf and pots etc. and the contrast of it with you being brighter

[@michellemooney1460]

Very beautiful pot

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks a lot

[@alexandralaske9415]

I think you are very skilled at drawing

[@AncientPottery]

Thank you

[@PSC9634]

Really great episode. You covered lots of questions I had. I really enjoy the regional examples and maps. The migration history. It's all very interesting and brings the pottery to life. We've been incorporating these museums into our travels. Beautiful work.

[@AncientPottery]

Glad to hear to are enjoying my content

[@PSC9634]

@AncientPottery Andy: you may want to check out the KZbin episode of Lex Fridman interviewing Ed Barnhart, Archeologist. In the episode, he mentions ancestral people who traveled from the north in the late 1300s south to Mezo America. They were welcomed as long-lost relatives. I thought about the disappearance of ancestral people in the southwest. Also, he speaks of a god who held decapitated heads. I know the Fremont people have petroglyphs with this same depiction. Interesting.

[@AncientAmericas]

That came out real nice!

[@AncientPottery]

Thank you, it was a fun project

[@Who_diss811]

This should be the go to intro 😂

[@AncientPottery]

LOL, thanks.

[@ValidityJ]

I love this channel so much. No b00b & butt flashing....no beefcake.... just a guy passionate about recreating ancient pottery using ancient methods, educational, interesting....it's a recipe for a great channel.

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks, that's the recipe I try to follow.

[@llanitedave]

The suspense made it a nail-biter! I totally enjoyed it. So... you gonna use that clay blend again?

[@AncientPottery]

The clay is Old Sonoita and Cline Point, I guess if you mix two of your favorite clays you are bound to have a great clay. But, yeah, I will do it again.

[@-mike-8134]

Very good ! Thx Andy

[@dantesmith3664]

another great video. thank you

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks

[@MRC11221]

Very informative. Thanks!

[@AncientPottery]

You're welcome!

[@willorocks]

Looks like it was a really fun project! I like the results! Enjoyed watching this one a lot!

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks Will.

[@benchandler4298]

I always enjoy your videos. It must take so much work with all the filming and editing, in addition to the pottery work. Thank you for the huge effort!

[@AncientPottery]

Yes, it is a lot of work. Thankfully I enjoy the work

[@davidpiraux1262]

Great video!

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks

[@petrapetrakoliou8979]

You could try doing the black with a fine iron slip, fire it in a reducing atmoshpere; then fire it again to get the other colours oxydised, and hopefully the black will remain black - at least this is what they say how black figure vases were made in Athens and Corinth (which also had often white and brown colours in addition to the oxydised red), so it should be doable it your iron slip is fine enough.

[@AncientPottery]

I am pretty sure that wouldn't work, those irons would just reoxidize.

[@suebritt6831]

I enjoyed watching the creation of this bowl and congratulate you on your success.

[@AncientPottery]

Thank you very much!

[@PanTings]

Congratulations 🥳 on such a great pot and firing 🎉 It is beautiful

[@AncientPottery]

Thank you

[@sylvialategan6345]

Loved this Andy your painting 🎨🖌️ is cool .

[@AncientPottery]

Thank you so much 😀

[@jill-ti7oe]

😄👍 Gripping stuff, always.

[@Kargoneth]

"Son of a gun!" What an intro! Let's tune in to today's episode!

[@woodyourather7835]

Very relaxing video! I don't know if it exists, but possibly using a wire connected to a frame like a hacksaw is, that would work well to cut the top of the bowl straight.

[@AncientPottery]

I'm sure that would work, but I am trying to make it the way the ancient potters did

[@Glazkor]

John Brew is just you with a hat, pipe and black-white filter. Who could have guessed

[@AncientPottery]

LOL

[@Kargoneth]

Nice bowl and bottle at the end!

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks 👍

[@jensenchavez265]

Have you tried contacting the tribe and requesting a permit to collect the clay you need? You could explain to them what it's for and you might be surprised because your work does help preserve and expose people to ancient traditions.

[@AncientPottery]

Maybe, but I would expect to be denied. I think it would be easier to get a Navajo friend to come collect clay with me. I just traded a pot to a couple of Navajo ladies who like to watch my videos.

[@Dean-ds1yd]

Excellent art work!

[@scallywag5411]

Found this channel while searching yt for ancient roman sling ammo, thanks for sharing your knowledge. 😎👍

[@AncientPottery]

You're welcome

[@TatsuGugu]

Hi Andy, I recently just got into earthenware pottery and I've been trying to replicate your open air firing method. My first pot ended up cracking as I was going to sacrifice it and use it for grog on future projects, but I wanted to know how long I should fire pottery for in this method, as I was expecting something along the lines of 8+ hours and then a lengthy cooldown process. Thanks in advance! -Tatsu

[@AncientPottery]

Just get it up to temp and then let it cool. I shoot for something around 800 C with a project like this. Time is not a factor, just make sure your clay is well tempered 20% or more so it can handle the thermal shock from this kind of firing.

[@TatsuGugu]

@@AncientPottery That's actually very fascinating, it's good to know that all I need to worry about is the temperature, temper ratio, and then slowly cooling the pottery. Thank you very much!

[@MeisVlk]

Pukis, Dirt, and Action! That's what I'm talkin' about!

[@AncientPottery]

Ha ha, glad you are so simply entertained.

[@stephenhenion8304]

Up here in Litchfield County Ct, im active with Wesleyan Potters Studio... since 2007... i throw on a wheel as well as hand building. I found your channel last week and instantly subscribed. Your truly organic approach is quite inspiring, as well as the beautiful Arizona style and design. I can get lost in the primitive patterns that you create. Do your fires last much more than 1 hour? I have done a couple of Raku pieces, but that was over 10 years ago. Thanks again for sharing your World!

[@hkecowitch]

thank you

[@AncientPottery]

Welcome!

[@deborahdanhauer8525]

I loved all the history of the tribes. The pot is lovely. Question…. Is the little handle for aesthetics? It seems too small to actually hold the pot up. Or is it there to hold while tipping the pot over to pour? Just curious… thanks❤️🤗🐝

[@AncientPottery]

Because the Kayenta region was depopulated around 1300 and the cultural changes that came with that, we have no idea how those handles were used. They all seem quite wide, like that had some sort of strap attached. Many it was to hang the bowls on a peg when not in use.

[@deborahdanhauer8525]

@@AncientPottery ok, thank you so much❤️🐝🤗

[@markgibsons_SWpottery]

that olla at 10:51 is absolutely stunning! Do you have the dimensions on that pot by any chance? Great video!

[@AncientPottery]

Sorry, no, it's just a picture I found on the internet

[@stephenwalford774]

great results you got there..i always have trouble with rim of bowl drying outa shape, however slow i let it dry....

[@AncientPottery]

Hmm, maybe your clay has a high shrinkage rate. have you tried increasing the amount of temper in your clay?

[@stephenwalford774]

@@AncientPottery Tried that.. Not high shrinkage.. Just slow to firm up.

[@Dean-ds1yd]

Made me nervous again the end! The way your handling it. Haha.

[@deamorydeollasrecetas]

❤ love Your videos

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks

[@virginiajorgensen8614]

Great video.

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks!

[@Doomslayer1313]

I live in eastern Pennsylvania about by the one big river and I’m wondering if where I live is good for clay (there’s a lot of un pure in my backyard

[@AncientPottery]

I know a few people who harvest wild clay in eastern Pennsylvania.

[@mihailvormittag6211]

👍

[@bethbartlett5692]

I can't help but mention, "this video is prey for a Platinum "Saturday Night Live Episode" ⭐ ie: @ 00:31 and 1:40 ---> I'm just saying ... 😉 (too cute/funny). ... carry on 😁 BTW: This man is an amazing Artist w/excellent Craftsmanship. 🏆

[@AncientPottery]

I have no idea what this means

[@petrapetrakoliou8979]

Is it common to have handles on precolumbian pottery in the South-West?

[@AncientPottery]

It depends on the culture. For this Kayenta pottery it was very common, I wish I know how the handles were used.

[@Bee-n8e]

I like your cat meowing in background

[@AncientPottery]

I don't have a cat and if I did I wouldn't bring it out into the country like this. Those are birds

[@Omid-rw6ls]

lol love the intro

[@DavidDailey-d8g]

Hi Andy, amazing work! Thankyou I’m on the shores of Lake Superior In gogibic county, the red clay is bountiful here. Does it have any utility? Thanks for your brilliant productions. Best

[@AncientPottery]

You're welcome. I would think you could make things from that red clay. I have a friend who teaches a yearly wild clay workshop in the Upper Peninsula every year where they do all kinds of great things with Michigan red clay - www.visitorcenterartistcamp.org

[@DavidDailey-d8g]

@@AncientPottery Thankyou Andy Much appreciated One fine day a batch of red clay will find its way to you. Looking forward to that episode. Thanks again Cheers

[@AncientPottery]

@@DavidDailey-d8g Oh thanks but no thanks. I do not need more clay, trust me.

[@DavidDailey-d8g]

@@AncientPottery 🤣👍🙏❤️

[@TimmyVision]

Can i just buy any white or other coloured clay and turn it into slip for primitive pottery?

[@AncientPottery]

Sure

[@AncientPottery]

If you are going to fire outdoors then you need to make sure it is a low fire white. New Mexico Clay has a good low fire white terra sig that I have used

[@TimmyVision]

@@AncientPottery the lowset ive seen in the description is 1000°c as the lowest

[@AncientPottery]

@@TimmyVision the New Mexico Clay stuff I mentioned above says 017 which is around 750 c

[@petrapetrakoliou8979]

It looks as thin as a metallic bowl.

[@AncientPottery]

It's pretty thin but probably thicker than most metal bowls.

[@Rosemary-m5e]

When and where will the Southwest kiln conference be in 2025?

[@randolphfriend8260]

🤎 🧡