Potters' Raku Day - obvara/horsehair - Sat. 18/4/26

£150.00

I run raku firing days at Wooscombe Fields, a beautiful farm near Compton Dando, mid-way between Bristol and Bath.

Raku is known for its unpredictability and dramatic results - and it’s a lot of fun! Raku is a low-temperature firing technique that involves removing pottery from the kiln while it is still red-hot and subjecting it to rapid cooling and reduction, or to different methods of decorative technique.

This raku day is aimed at potters. Bring up to 3 of your bisqued pots to fire in the raku kiln. The maximum dimensions of your pot are 25cm high x 20cm wide.

Your pots can be in any clay that you choose, but a raku clay or a clay with a higher grog content will reduce the risk of cracks or breakages. If you have any, applying terra sigillata and burnishing before bisque firing will give a lovely sheen to these pots (which will not be sealed with glaze). If you don’t have terra sigillata, then just burnishing with a spoon or plastic bag will help.

Raku fired ceramics are not food safe because the clay will not generally have been fired to its maturation temperature in the raku kiln, and these items will not be sealed with glaze. So bring your most beautiful decorative items!

You will put your pot in the raku kiln and we will fire it up to approx. 800-900C. You will take the pot out of the kiln, using long tongs. If you are using horsehair and/or feathers and/or sugar to decorate the surface of your pot, you will place your pot carefully on a turntable and apply the decorations to the sides. Watch as the decorations appear as if by magic!

If you are using the obvara method, you will plunge your hot pot into a large bin filled with a fermented brew of flour, yeast, sugar and water. It bubbles and scorches, leaving unique and beautiful patterns on the surface. You then plunge the pot quickly into cold water to stop the burning process and quench the pot.

Hopefully, you can then marvel at the beautiful finish! It should be noted, however, that raku is a pretty violent process and the thermal shock can lead to cracks or breakages.

The day will begin at 10.30am and finish around 4pm. There is plenty of parking on site and there is a composting toilet a few minutes walk from the the raku area. A simple lunch of a homemade vegetarian soup, bread and cheese will be provided. If you have specific dietary requirements, please advise me via email (scarabpotsbristol@gmail.com). Tea and coffee will also be included.

All PPE safety gear will be provided. You should wear cotton/linen, as synthetic fibres can melt on the skin if they get hot. Long sleeves and long trousers are also needed. Long hair must be tied back and tucked out of the way. Closed shoes are essential please. We will be outside throughout the day.

I run raku firing days at Wooscombe Fields, a beautiful farm near Compton Dando, mid-way between Bristol and Bath.

Raku is known for its unpredictability and dramatic results - and it’s a lot of fun! Raku is a low-temperature firing technique that involves removing pottery from the kiln while it is still red-hot and subjecting it to rapid cooling and reduction, or to different methods of decorative technique.

This raku day is aimed at potters. Bring up to 3 of your bisqued pots to fire in the raku kiln. The maximum dimensions of your pot are 25cm high x 20cm wide.

Your pots can be in any clay that you choose, but a raku clay or a clay with a higher grog content will reduce the risk of cracks or breakages. If you have any, applying terra sigillata and burnishing before bisque firing will give a lovely sheen to these pots (which will not be sealed with glaze). If you don’t have terra sigillata, then just burnishing with a spoon or plastic bag will help.

Raku fired ceramics are not food safe because the clay will not generally have been fired to its maturation temperature in the raku kiln, and these items will not be sealed with glaze. So bring your most beautiful decorative items!

You will put your pot in the raku kiln and we will fire it up to approx. 800-900C. You will take the pot out of the kiln, using long tongs. If you are using horsehair and/or feathers and/or sugar to decorate the surface of your pot, you will place your pot carefully on a turntable and apply the decorations to the sides. Watch as the decorations appear as if by magic!

If you are using the obvara method, you will plunge your hot pot into a large bin filled with a fermented brew of flour, yeast, sugar and water. It bubbles and scorches, leaving unique and beautiful patterns on the surface. You then plunge the pot quickly into cold water to stop the burning process and quench the pot.

Hopefully, you can then marvel at the beautiful finish! It should be noted, however, that raku is a pretty violent process and the thermal shock can lead to cracks or breakages.

The day will begin at 10.30am and finish around 4pm. There is plenty of parking on site and there is a composting toilet a few minutes walk from the the raku area. A simple lunch of a homemade vegetarian soup, bread and cheese will be provided. If you have specific dietary requirements, please advise me via email (scarabpotsbristol@gmail.com). Tea and coffee will also be included.

All PPE safety gear will be provided. You should wear cotton/linen, as synthetic fibres can melt on the skin if they get hot. Long sleeves and long trousers are also needed. Long hair must be tied back and tucked out of the way. Closed shoes are essential please. We will be outside throughout the day.