Raku - Jus' Chillin'

This weekend, Kirkcaldy Art Club held its annual Raku Pottery Event.

Raku pottery dates back to ancient times in Japan. It uses a particular type of clay that can withstand stress. Items are first bisque-fired normally. It is the second firing that differs from normal practice.

Generally, an outdoor kiln is used - ours is a modified 45-gallon oildrum fired by propane.
The pottery is brought rapidly up to temperature over 20 to 30 mins and then soaks for a further 10 to 15 mins.
It is then transferred to an airtight dustbin where sawdust or newspaper is added. It stays there for 5 to 15 mins.
It is then removed and plunged into cold water then left to cool to air temperature before being cleaned.

In some firings, the smoke is used to give black patterns and textures to suitably treated pots.
Other pots have glazes on them that are generally based on copper compounds. The sawdust treatment creates a reducing atmosphere that turns the glaze by various degrees all the way to shiny metallic copper. The half-way stage is an iridescent sheen that can reflect all colours.

The above tiles still have some sawdust on their surface but are cooling whilst awaiting final cleaning. Both the copper and iridescent surfaces can be seen.

All in all, a very successful weekend.