Raku Firing of Enamel - Part 1
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- Parent Category: Technical Articles from Journal Back Copies
- Category: Technical Articles 2002
Notes from Dorothy Cockrell’s workshop at Cirencester April 2002
Much of this appeared in our Winter 2000 issue, but a fuller updated version is repeated here for those who missed it or prefer step by step instructions.
Raku firing is not an exact science as happy chance plays a large part in the results. Variations are part of its charm, exact clones are very unlikely, so it is important to follow certain guidelines to reduce the possibility of disappointment.
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Do use very thin coats of transparent enamel.
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Do have your kiln good and hot, there is no exact temperature, but work a little on the high side if you want a good lustre.
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Do consider the relative sizes of your piece of work and the lid or container which is to be used at the raku stage. Too small and you risk damaging the enamel as you cover it or put it in the container and too large will hold more air than can be burned away by a small hot enamel.
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Where the instructions call for damp materials, it is sufficient to pass a wet hand over paper and sprinkle or spray the other materials lightly. It is intended to stop leaping flames, but not to prevent combustion.