In between a spot of experimental archaeology over the summer I found time to get some Raku firings done.
I've been taking the temperature up higher for the copper matte's - between 1050/1070 degrees c.
Generally this means with some controlled timings of at least 2 "burps" of letting oxygen into the reduction bin- that results and colours are more stable and uniform.
As a consequence of firing at hotter temperatures- the colour palette is also somewhat different. I can get blues, reds and greens- but gold and pink is now harder to come by! These tend to occur at lower temperatures- around the 1000-1040 mark- and are more fleeting. They are often superb- but can easily result in drab mottled browns and olive greens. Not what you want. They are sometimes redeemable by twice firing- but that's a risky business.
Oh well I'm quite happy with these new results anyway- and percentage wise- it's better to fire hotter- with 2 time controlled bursts of air (burps) to start the reduction/re- oxidation process going. I know- all "clear as mud!"
Anyway these pots are now on show at the A2 Gallery in Wells, Somerset from September.
http://www.a2gallery.co.uk/
I've been taking the temperature up higher for the copper matte's - between 1050/1070 degrees c.
Generally this means with some controlled timings of at least 2 "burps" of letting oxygen into the reduction bin- that results and colours are more stable and uniform.
As a consequence of firing at hotter temperatures- the colour palette is also somewhat different. I can get blues, reds and greens- but gold and pink is now harder to come by! These tend to occur at lower temperatures- around the 1000-1040 mark- and are more fleeting. They are often superb- but can easily result in drab mottled browns and olive greens. Not what you want. They are sometimes redeemable by twice firing- but that's a risky business.
Oh well I'm quite happy with these new results anyway- and percentage wise- it's better to fire hotter- with 2 time controlled bursts of air (burps) to start the reduction/re- oxidation process going. I know- all "clear as mud!"
Anyway these pots are now on show at the A2 Gallery in Wells, Somerset from September.
http://www.a2gallery.co.uk/
1050-1070 DEGREES C BLUE GREEN SILVER-RED |
1000-1040/50 DEGREES C GOLD/PINK- BUT INVARIABLY BROWN! |
Comments
Post a Comment
Comments...