Colin Nixon Ceramics
Smoke Fired Pots
The
techniques involved in smoke firing are very process and labour intensive.
Each pot is a one off, made individually by the slow hand building technique
of coiling or by moulding.
Various clays can be used.
Before bisque firing the pot is burnished.
After bisque firing patterns can be built up onto the surface using resist
techniques.
The pots are then smoke fired, using sawdust, paper or wood.
Sometimes the piece is smoke fired several times until the desired effects
are obtained.
The finished piece is then polished using beeswax.
Raku was originally a Japanese technique used for making the disposable
cups used in the tea ceremony.
After firing the piece to bisque, in an electric kiln, it is glazed (with
Raku glaze) and refired in a gas kiln.The piece is taken from the kiln
whilst still"white hot" and placed in a container containing
combustible materials i.e. sawdust,leaves etc. and covered with a lid.Reduction
firing continues.After 15-20 minutes the piece is retrieved and the magical
colours appear.
Raku and many smoke fired pieces will not hold water and are decorative art forms only.