Raku, pit firing, and more...
Raku | Smoke firing (various)

Bricks and kiln shelves for Raku firing.


Here the kiln shelves are loaded with glazed Raku pieces. Note how none of the pieces are touching.


Igniting the propane torch.


Closing the lid (with help from my husband and our dog Rufus.)


Once the fire has reached temperature, we quickly remove the lid. Pieces are white hot from firing.


With gloved hands we use tongs to move hot pieces into pails filled with shredded newspaper. Paper catches flame adding to the final results. Pails are then covered tightly to reduce exposure to air.


Once pieces have cooled, they are removed from pails and dunked into cold water to fuse glaze and clay.


Finished Raku dress using Gold/Silver Raku glaze.

 

  
The Art of Raku
Raku is an ancient Japanese way of firing. It was introduced for tea ceremonies it the 16th Century. The word Raku has many different meanings. The one that I use in my workshops is "HAPPINESS THROUGH CHANCE". So people understand what it means - it's leaving out the perfectionist way of doing pottery and firing more in a primitive and direct way. The actual firing method is direct handling of the pots in a fast glaze firing cycle that requires the use of spontaneity and experimentation.

I use an outdoor kiln and I fire to about 1600F till the glaze looks shiny and red orange. I then take them out and put the pieces in the waiting buckets filled with newspaper. When it goes up in flames I then close the lid smothering the fire and producing the reduction atmosphere inside the bucket. That’s were the colour flashes of red, blue, copper etc happen. Then I take out the work and put it in the snow or in a water bucket to "freeze" the glaze to the pot. That's when the crazing and crackling of the glaze happens. You never can tell how
beautiful a piece will be till the end, that's the nice surprise. Though the results are un-predictable and losses are high, I love the results of Raku so I will keep experimenting and enjoying..... (please remember Raku pieces are also porous and therefore can not be used to contain liquids or foods. They are meant to be fine art pieces.)

 Raku Firing — (If interested in more on the Raku Family there is more information at the Raku museum in Kyoto).

The word Raku means pleasure or enjoyment and was started in 16th century Japan (Tea ceremony). The modern western practice of this ancient process, as well as its purpose, differs
from its Eastern roots, but the results of Raku are still infinite in their variety, energy and beauty. This process of firing was first brought to the attention of the western world by Bernard Leach (a painter) in
1911. Then in the 1960’s a potter named Paul Soldner began his Raku experiments, among others who with all there ideas and creativity we
have our versions of this wonderful firing process. Keep in mind, though
that even as the western form of Raku continues to expand and develop, the
15th generation of the Raku family is producing traditional raku tea ware in
Japan, unaffected by its contemporary counterpart.

So again enjoy yourself and experiment with new things.

— Natalie

Glaze Recipes

Here is some of the recipes that I use.

Gold/Silver Raku (Robert Piepenburg recipe)
• Gerstley Borate 80
• Cornwall stone 20
• Tin oxide 1
• Silver Nitrate 2

A silver/gold glaze
Note: Sliver Nitrate is a soluble salt that is light
sensitive and loses its strength if exposed to light to long. So when done painting wrap In newspaper.

Fat White raku
Nice white with excellent crackle.

• Frit 3134 100
• Flint 6
• EPK 10
• Bentonite 2
• Tin Oxide 10

Copper Luster raku
• Gerstley Borate 80
• Nepheline Syenite 20
• Cobalt oxide 1.1
• Copper oxide 2.1
• Yellow Ocher 7.8

Black Gloss Raku
• Borax 10
• Gerstley Borate 40
• Soda Ash 20
• Nepheline Syenite 10
• Barnard Clay 20
• Cobalt Carbonate 4.0
• Copper Carbonate 2.0

Note: Always test glazes before use due to differing conditions, materials and
kilns used. And always experiment to enjoy.

 

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All pottery shown in this site - created by Natalie Prιvost-Mero.