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