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The Newsletter for Raku Artists and Raku Art Lovers
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February 2004
Issue #17
Published by
Gary R. Ferguson - Raku Artist
http://www.garyrferguson.com
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In This Issue
* While the Smoke Clears - New Raku Glaze Book
* From The Studio - Throwing bigger pieces
* Article - How Many Ways Can You Raku? Wally Asselberghs
* Tips/Techniques - Plastic Container Damp Boxes
* Q&A - Lichen Glazes
* Glazing - Lichens
* Reader Feedback - Lots of good feedback - keep it coming!
* Calendar - Limited in 2004
* Click Away - Raku on the Internet
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* While the Smoke Clears *
We have a guest article this month by Wally Asselberghs who gives a
broad over view of a variety of Raku techniques. Wally is also giving
workshops in the Phoenix, Arizona area so check out the details of these
at the end of his article.
If you have an article or article idea, you can contact me at: editor@garyrferguson.com
I've also been hard at work on one of my New Year's resolutions that I
mentioned in the last newsletter - completing a book. Well I've finishing
an e-book of Raku Glaze Recipes. As you may know I've always provided a
lot of recipes on my web site, but this collection is even more extensive
(over 300+ recipes), plus other valuable information. If you are
interested in "THE" book of Raku glazes check out: http://www.rakuglazes.com
Remember I always look forward to your feedback, suggestions,
questions, and article ideas at: editor@garyrferguson.com.
Gary R. Ferguson
- Raku Artist -
pottery@garyrferguson.com
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* From the Studio *
It has been a little too cold and wet in my neck of the woods to do
much Raku lately, so I have focused on throwing.
I had been concentrating on making small pieces the last few months and
decided to try some bigger pieces. I created a couple large vases of
around 14 inches high and 10 inches across. I originally tried to create
this with a single piece of clay (unsuccessfully) but found it was much
easier to throw a 7 inch bottom, a 7 inch top, wait for them to dry a
little and then attach them together and finish throwing the top. This
worked quite well - so far. The really challenge will come when I try to
Raku fire these pieces.
I'll cover the process of making and firing larger pieces in a future
newsletter.
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* Article *
How Many Ways can you Raku?
By Wally Asselberghs
"Classic" Ceramics: earthenware, stoneware, porcelain
Most ceramics are fired according to classic pattern:
glaze is applied to a clay object which is then placed into a ceramic
kiln, and fired rather slowly, until the glaze has reached the melting
point (somewhere between 1050 and 1300 °C). After short period of
maintaining this top temperature, the kiln is allowed to cool off very
slowly. The kiln is opened when temperature has dropped to 100°C (or
lower) and a shiny equal glaze covers the surface, and hides the clay
underneath.
"Classic" Japanese "Raku"
In this firing technique, the glaze is NOT allowed to
cool. After applying the glaze, the kiln is fired quite
rapidly to the melting point of the glaze (usually
very low, 850-900°C). Then the object is removed from
the kiln with tongs, and allowed to cool off in the
open air, or is quenched in water. Because of the "temperature
shock", the molten glaze will pass very quickly from the state of
"molten liquid glass" to a solid state. As a result, the glaze
will shrink much quicker than the clay object underneath and the glaze
will "crack" and create a pattern of irregular lines
("crackle"). The clay used for this technique is also different.
In order to be able to withstand the temperature shock, the clay must
contain some materials, which make it "porous", and more
fireproof: sand, grog, fireclay, talc, molochite, etc.
"Raku" dates back to the 15th-16th Century in Japan,
where it could develop itself during more than 400
years. In the beginning, it was mainly used to produce
"drinking cups" for the Japanese tea ceremony, and was
related to ZEN Philosophy. When the drinking cups were used regularly,
tannin, a dark colorant found in tea, filled up the cracks making a more
pronounced 'crackle pattern'.
Bernard Leach, a famous potter from UK, studied the
technique for many years, and introduced it in Europe
around 1911. He continued to use the pure "classic"
Japanese technique.
"Western Raku"
Raku crossed the Ocean, and was further developed by
USA ceramic artists like Paul Soldner and Hal Riegger,
who started experimenting on this technique. They
added the element of "secondary reduction". When the
glaze was molten, the objects are removed from the kiln with tongs, and
quickly transferred into some kind of smoke-bin, containing burnable
material like sawdust, woodchips, straw, leaves, etc. The smoke-bin is
closed, and the smoke and tar (produced by the contact of the hot object
with the burnable materials) penetrate through the "cracks" and
leave behind a pattern of black cracks in the white glaze. There is also
the possibility of creating special color effects by adding oxides (mostly
copper) to the glaze, or spraying the hot molten glaze with color-changing
substances (silver nitrate, etc.)
"Slip-resist Raku"
This technique was derived from Raku, but without the use of glaze.
Basically the clay, when leather hard, is polished and then the clay
object is bisque fired. A layer of thick slip is applied and the object is
fired in a Raku kiln until desired temperature is reached. When ready, the
pieces are removed from the kiln with tongs, placed in a smoke-bin, and
allowed to cool. Sometimes, the slip comes off quite easily. Sometimes it
has to be removed using plenty of water. Various shades of white, black
and grays can be achieved by varying the composition, application method,
and thickness of this slip.
"Naked Raku"
Yet another variation of Raku, which differs only slightly from
"slip-resist Raku". In this technique, a layer of Raku glaze is
added on top of the slip. The "slip" acts like a kind of buffer
between the clay and the glaze and prevents the glaze from adhering to the
surface of the clay object.
The kiln is fired to a temperature of roughly 850-900
degrees Celsius, until the glaze starts to "bubble".
This process must be visually watched through a
peephole in the kiln. When ready the piece is removed
from the kiln by tongs. The hot clay object is reduced in the smoke-bin.
The smoke and tar will penetrate into the "cracks" of the glaze,
and go right through the slip layer into the clay to leave behind
irregular crack-like patterns on the surface.
The layer of slip and glaze will then also "peel off" or has
to be removed with water to reveal the patterns created on the
"bare" or "nude" clay, hence the name
"naked". Various colors are possible by applying a slip layer
containing stains or oxides or by using colored clay. On those parts where
NO glaze is applied, the clay turns black. After thoroughly cleaning and
drying, a tiny layer of beeswax is polished into the finished clay object.
This gives a matt shiny finish, embellishing the surface of the
"naked clay".
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SLIP/GLAZE NAKED RAKU WORKSHOPS IN ARIZONA
April 16-25, 2004
With Flemish Naked Raku Artist and teacher Wally Asselberghs,
Founder-moderator of the online Naked Raku Yahoo group.
This will be a hands-on workshop where Wally will demonstrate his
"Slip-Glaze Naked Raku" technique of preparing and applying the
slip resist, preparing and
applying the glaze, creating the design and firing. A manual with full
details including formulas for
both the slip and the glaze using locally available chemicals will be
included. Participants are requested to bring bisqued pieces to be fired
during the afternoon session. There will be an emphasis on individual
experimentation. The workshop is limited to 10 participants each day.
SCHEDULE TIME AND PLACE:
Apr 16-20 Green Valley/Tucson area
Apr 22 Tubac/Tucson area
Apr 24-25 Scottsdale/Phoenix area
Generally 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM each day
FEES:
$85 for one day and $140 for two days for Naked Raku Group, SACA, and AZ
Clay Members.
$100 a day or $160 for two days for Non-members of these groups
More info at http://www.student.kuleuven.ac.be/~m9822918
or send an email Barbara Koebler mailto:kobco@netzero.com
or to Wally at mailto:corneel51@yahoo.com
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Raku: A Practical Approach by Steven Branfman
The "nuts and bolts" how-to book of Raku
Order 30% off at: http://tinyurl.com/8m5k
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* Tips and Techniques *
Plastic Container Damp Boxes
This tip I picked up at a recent Richard Notkin workshop. Richard
creates very detailed carved pieces that have to remain in a workable
leather hard state for many days. The way he does this is with the use of
various sized plastic containers. He places the piece on the lid of a
container that is just big enough to hold the piece. He then sprays water
into the base of the container and places this over the piece and onto the
lid and seals it so it is airtight. This creates a nice damp atmosphere to
keep the clay in a workable state.
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* Q & A *
Q: I just receive a copy of your newsletter from a friend. And all I
can say is it's about time Raku lovers had one. I have a question does any
one out there know how to get the lichen glazes for Raku? I saw the
results on a trip to the south and have asked many people but no one seems
to know what I am talking about. Thank you Nancy H.
A: The following link is an example of a lichen glaze:
http://www.zazengallery.com/Images/AA_2391_020A.jpg
Basically a lichen glaze is a severely crazing glaze (as opposed to a
severely crazy glaze).
In some cases a lichen glaze is not applied to bare bisque ware but
over a slip or another glaze to help keep the lichen glaze on the piece.
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Show your support for the Just Raku Newsletter by pledging a donation of
any size at: http://tinyurl.com/52cq
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* Glazing *
Lichens
Magnesium Carbonate 50
Lithium Carbonate 10
Borax 50
Gerstley borate 30
Copper carbonate 4
Cobalt Carbonate 0.40
I have not actually tried this glaze yet, but it seemed like a good
compliment to the Q&A for this issue.
Give it a try and let me know. Go Crazy! J
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Raku Pottery by Robert Piepenburg
The must have "Bible" of Raku
Order at: http://tinyurl.com/8m5b
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* Reader Feedback *
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Hello Gary!
Here is a question from one of your reader from Denmark. I have also
bought the "Got Raku?" T-shirt and cap for myself. And yes it is
really great, I bet my Raku friends will envy me at our next meeting. But
now my question, what does "Got Raku?" mean? Can you try and
explain it with some other words or is it mean something like "Got
the flu?"
Hope to hear from you soon.
Best regards
Linda
Hi Linda:
I'm glad you like the shirt (be sure to tell your friends where to order
their own). I keep forgetting the Just Raku Newsletter is a global
newsletter so I guess I need to explain where "Got Raku?" comes
from? "Got Raku?" is a parody I created based on a famous
advertising campaign for Milk. There are many variations of the commercial
with a "Got Milk?" slogan. For example, a guy raids the cookie
jar, eats a ton of dry cookies, gets thirsty, and then goes to the
refrigerator to find the carton of milk empty - then the slogan "Got
Milk?" appears. The idea is everyone needs milk. In addition there is
another set of milk advertisements than end with "It does a body
good" - meaning Milk is nutritionally good for you. So this is where
my "Got Raku? - It does a clay body good" slogan comes from and
I think it even makes sense. Everyone needs Raku, right? And Raku glaze
fired clay does look good!
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Dear Gary:
A few weeks ago you had a copy of an email someone sent
you about your formatting. You asked if anyone else was having trouble
with your newsletter sentences being cut off and I replied I was having
the same problem. This [last] newsletter was just GREAT!!! I did not have
to fill in any letters to complete the sentences and I wanted to just
thank you so very much for doing this. It makes the newsletter so much
easier to read now. Your newsletter is for my husband and after the first
of each month he always asks if I have received it yet. Thank you again.
Donna
Donna:
Glad the newsletter is formatted better. I started using a new emailing
program a couple months ago instead of just using MS/Outlook, so this is
what probably helped fix the problem.
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Gary:
Enjoy your newsletter. Keep it going.
Ann T.
Ann T.
Thanks! Remember there are several ways to help support the newsletter -
see the links throughout the newsletter and my website.
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Gary:
I got mine [newsletter] just fine and appreciate it very much. I am taking
it to a meeting of my Clay Network tomorrow to pass around do other people
will see it.
MAUG
MAUG:
Thanks, and as a reminder to all subscribers - send a copy of the Just
Raku newsletter to all your friends and encourage them to subscribe.
* * *
Hi Gary,
In your January newsletter a subscriber asked about a bevel tool. A few
months back, I was looking for the same thing, and since I'm not great at
making tools, I found a fellow in El Paso Texas that makes wonderful bevel
tools. His name is Bob Carver, and his website is
potterytools.com. He makes 30, 60 and 90 degree bevel tools. I've
purchased the 90 and 60-degree bevel tools and they work wonderfully. They
are also beautiful tools - workmanship is outstanding. Just thought I
would share with you.
Jan
Jan
Thanks for the info.
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Want $20 in free books from Amazon.com? Sign up for the no annual fee
Amazon.com Platinum Visa from Bank One http://tinyurl.com/8j7o
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* Calendar *
My show calendar for 2004 will probably be smaller than in the past. I
only plan on doing two or three shows, but spending more time focusing on
eBay sales. This way I can spend more time with the family and less time
sitting in a booth.
June - Art & Roses (Tentative)
Nov - Beaux Arts Holiday Show (Tentative)
TBD - Studio Open House
On going eBay Listings
http://tinyurl.com/tn08
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Advertise your Raku products or services here to reach almost 900 Raku
Enthusiasts for only $5 per month. That is less than a penny per contact.
Includes URL, email address and four 60-character lines. For details
contact: http://advertise@garyrferguson.com
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* Click Away *
Cherry Hill Pottery
http://www.cherryhillpottery.com/rakugallery.html
Brian Gartside
http://www.gartside.info/gallerylowfire12.htm
Just Raku Logowear
http://www.cafepress.com/justraku
Got Raku? It does a Clay Body Good!
http://www.cafepress.com/gotraku
Just Raku Newsletter Archive
The past issues can be found at http://www.JustRaku.com
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Raku: Investigations Into Fire by David Jones
Order 30% off at: http://tinyurl.com/8m5x
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JUST RAKU (C) Copyright 2002-2004, Gary R. Ferguson
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