Raku Firing of Enamels - Part 2 - Bowls
- Details
- Parent Category: Technical Articles from Journal Back Copies
- Category: Technical Articles 2002
Dorothy Cockrell
Part one of this series of 3 articles dealt with the basic technique and working with flat pieces. (See Autumn 2002 page 14.)
Three-dimensional items are prepared in a similar way.
First decide how you are going to support the bowl in the kiln so that it is the right side up for the final firing. It is easier to turn a stilt or mesh over to make the bowl fall down into the organic material than to try tossing it off the support. It is essential to have it steady and well supported, with room for the tongs to grip the support without touching the enamel. Do try it out before heating the kiln.
The side of the bowl which first touches the organic material will have the best lustre and colours. If the container is large enough, more material can be put on top of the piece quickly before the lid is put on, but it will not give such a good lustre on this side. The larger the bowl, the larger the fireproof container has to be. A good space all round is necessary to avoid bending the bowl on the side of the container, but it should not be too large because you want to be able to burn away all the oxygen quickly.