Raku is an ancient Japanese firing method that was developed in the sixteenth century as part of the Japanese tea ceremony.
Unlike a modern firing in an electric kiln, this firing entails firing pots very quickly and cooling very quickly. The pots are fired to 1000 degrees celsius in a propane filled kiln called oxidised firing and taken out whilst glowing red hot. It is then placed into an air tight metal container filled with combustable materials such as sawdust or newspaper. This is known as reduction firing. The reduction of oxygen and the carbon created from the smoking is what causes beautiful glaze effects of metallic and crackle. After waiting for the magic to happen, it is now ready to cool the pots in water and then scrub off the carbon deposits and reveal the highly metallic colours and crackle effects.
What makes Raku so exciting is that you never really know what you're going to get. The slight changes in temperature, glaze application, firing timing and the combustable materials used will effect the results on the pots. Every pot will be completely different.
Unlike a modern firing in an electric kiln, this firing entails firing pots very quickly and cooling very quickly. The pots are fired to 1000 degrees celsius in a propane filled kiln called oxidised firing and taken out whilst glowing red hot. It is then placed into an air tight metal container filled with combustable materials such as sawdust or newspaper. This is known as reduction firing. The reduction of oxygen and the carbon created from the smoking is what causes beautiful glaze effects of metallic and crackle. After waiting for the magic to happen, it is now ready to cool the pots in water and then scrub off the carbon deposits and reveal the highly metallic colours and crackle effects.
What makes Raku so exciting is that you never really know what you're going to get. The slight changes in temperature, glaze application, firing timing and the combustable materials used will effect the results on the pots. Every pot will be completely different.
Raku taster session dates
We will be running short taster sessions during summer 2022 and will look to continue in summer 2023 with more in depth courses.
The course dates outlined below are reserved first for our members. We will open any remaining places up from Tuesday 31st May.
The course dates outlined below are reserved first for our members. We will open any remaining places up from Tuesday 31st May.
Saturday 16th & Saturday 23rd July
Sunday 31st July & Sunday 7th June
Saturday 6th August & Saturday 13th August
Saturday 3rd September & Saturday 10th September
Sunday 31st July & Sunday 7th June
Saturday 6th August & Saturday 13th August
Saturday 3rd September & Saturday 10th September
What to expect
Your first session will run from 11am - 1pm and will involve making a pot using a very strong gritty clay called crank. You will be taught how to make a pot by using the coiling method. Coiling is a method ideal for Raku as its makes pots stronger. The extruder can be used for those who aren't a fan of this method.
To allow all pots to fit in the kiln at one time the diameter of your pot must not exceed over 10cm but height can reach up to 25cm. Because this is a taster workshop and due to the small size of the kiln you will only be able to make one pot on this workshop. We will run longer workshops next year.
The second session will run from 11am - 2pm and will involve glazing your pot and firing in our Raku kiln. You will learn about the process of Raku firing and will take control of loading and unloading your pot into the kiln. You will be safety briefed and will have to sign a disclaimer before you take part. This method entails working with extreme heat but is only dangerous if safety instructions are not adhered to.
Due to the thermal shock on the pots with this process there is always a chance of breakages. Unfortunately this is the nature of working with pottery and particularly the extreme Raku firing. We can not refund in such circumstances. We will explain the best ways to prevent this from happening in the construction of making your piece.
PLEASE READ THE DOCUMENT BELOW FOR Q&A's
To allow all pots to fit in the kiln at one time the diameter of your pot must not exceed over 10cm but height can reach up to 25cm. Because this is a taster workshop and due to the small size of the kiln you will only be able to make one pot on this workshop. We will run longer workshops next year.
The second session will run from 11am - 2pm and will involve glazing your pot and firing in our Raku kiln. You will learn about the process of Raku firing and will take control of loading and unloading your pot into the kiln. You will be safety briefed and will have to sign a disclaimer before you take part. This method entails working with extreme heat but is only dangerous if safety instructions are not adhered to.
Due to the thermal shock on the pots with this process there is always a chance of breakages. Unfortunately this is the nature of working with pottery and particularly the extreme Raku firing. We can not refund in such circumstances. We will explain the best ways to prevent this from happening in the construction of making your piece.
PLEASE READ THE DOCUMENT BELOW FOR Q&A's
| raku_q_a.docx |
Costs: £85
Capacity: 6 people
Ability level: Open to complete beginners or people who have experience.
Capacity: 6 people
Ability level: Open to complete beginners or people who have experience.
