raku - castle high school.pdf · equipment raku kiln (claydogs) propane tank pyrometer gloves...

RAKU!

EQUIPMENT Raku kiln (Claydogs)

Propane tank

Pyrometer

Gloves

Combustible material

(sawdust, straw, paper, etc)

Tongs

Two water buckets

Metal trash cans for

combustion chamber

Ajax

Brillo pads

THINGS TO KNOW & BRING

Wear old clothes; cotton

Tennis shoes (old ones)

Bring layers, it’ll be

chilly

Sunscreen

Sunglasses

Folding lawn chairs

Blankets

Hair back and out of

face

Preplan for lunch

No flip-flops/sandals

Never step over

the propane line!!

GLAZES & TECHNIQUES Yellow

Turquoise

White crackle

Galaxy*

Metallic Lime*

Raku Red*

Sunspot*

Apple Crackle*

Naked Raku*

o Dipping

o Pouring

o Brushing

o Sponging

o Splattering

oApply thick, must be

completely dry before you

Raku

DURING FIRING; RESPONSIBILITIES Make a description of your

piece and the glazes used (handout).

Group pieces together regarding size and shape.

Load onto the kiln shelf according to group.

Document pyrometer temperature every ten minutes.

Check the glaze maturity.

Get combustion chamber set up.

Figure out the order in which you get your piece out of the kiln.

Our kiln fires up to 1600º

END OF FIRING; RESPONSIBILITIES The best way to judge maturity of

the glaze is with your eyes.

View the pots by looking through the

peep hole.

Glazes before they mature are

bubbly.

Hot porous pots will accept Carbon.

COMBUSTION CHAMBER

OXIDATION AND REDUCTION

Upper left: Oxidation

Upper right: Reduction

Bottom: To prevent re-

oxidation

BROKEN PIECES

AJAX!

Helps clean off the

debris.

Makes your piece more

metallic and shiny.

May also change color

completely.

BLOOPERS

SAWDUST FIRING Pottery is nestled into a

hole in the ground.

No glaze.

Combustibles that can be

used: Sawdust, leaves,

wood, coal, metal oxides,

salt, pine needles.

Place a brick buffering

wall around the pit.

Light pit on fire; make

sure it catches really well.

Cover with metal sheets.

Should burn all day.

Process is over when fire

consumes itself, (7hrs)

SAWDUST FIRING; TECHNIQUES Adding salts and

chemicals can add a rainbow of colors.

Sawdust alone produces a black smoky color.

Colors can fade if placed in direct sunlight for long periods of time.

Carbon trapping also produces a nice black color.

Salt cannot touch pieces.

RESULTS WE WANT We want to add salts

and chemicals to the

pit before we fire to

get a colored effect.

Hopefully our pieces

will be as nice as

these.