Alternative Kilns & Firing Techniques: Raku * Saggar * Pit * Barrel

by James C. Watkins, Paul Andrew Wandless

Ceramicists searching for new ways to fire their creations now have a wealth of options. Authors James Watkins and Paul Wandless, along with a group of distinguished artisans, demonstrate in detail how to build low-cost, low-tech, yet high-quality kilns. The plans range from an easy, affordable, and versatile Raku Kiln to a unique wood-fueled Downdraft Stovepipe Barrel one. These clever devices make it possible to produce rich surface effects from alternative reduction firing techniques. In addition to showing the basic procedures for using each kiln, easy-to-follow directions for many fast-fire methods unfold in color photographs: You’ll see how to achieve terra sigillata surfaces with direct chemical application, and how to do traditional crackle-glaze raku and smoke finishes.

Genres: Art, Crafts, Nonfiction

128 pages, Paperback

First published May 28, 2004

Reviews

[LemontreeLime]

So much good advice, so many good ideas, and so many gorgeous pictures. If you need something to give you the confidence to do experimental firings, this book is just the ticket. Also as a personal note, when doing pit fires, layer your combustibles in it in such a way that the fire can make its way through the whole pit, make sure there is enough air for the reaction, dont pack it too tight, and thread newspaper down through it. Also, dont be stingy on the copper carbonate. If you do those two things then you will have beautiful results!!

[Shelli]

It's not really fair of me to review this book at all, because it's about firing techniques and reduction recipes and how to BUILD freakin' kilns – and I'm not even a potter/ceramicist, so it was all Greek to me! But the book was picked out for me because of all the pretty pictures of Western rakuware, and the colors, patterns, and finishes shown off by alternative firing methods on beautifully unusual (but always functional) vessels. In this respect, the book was a total success! And even though I have NO background in any of the technical material in this book, I couldn't help but get caught up reading about the unusual materials that produced such amazing finishes: sugar, copper wire, horsehair, and… toilet paper?

[Horus]

This is a book for potters who may have an interest in such alternative, and often artful methods of firing pottery. There are many excellent photos and each chapter describes a different type of firing, along with a description of how to build the kilns. There are even some glaze recipies included in the back of the book.

[Martha Smith]

Great book for very advanced ceramics student.

[Johanna Cormier]

Borrowed form the library and then bought my own copy. Not a quick read but a really useful reference and inspiration.

[Helena]

A very comprehensive book on this topic. Love how it displays other ceramic artist's works as examples of the different techniques.

[David]

This is one of those books that makes you a little bit crazy inside. At least, it will if you're an artist who works in Ceramics!!

The Author and Photographer gathered a group of Ceramic Artists at a mountaintop studio retreat, and each artist made or brought thier own system for firing Ceramics. Cheifly Raku or post-firing effects, each of these methods is accompanied with JUST enough of the instructions and photographs to teach you to do it... similarly, but not /exactly/, the same.

This is, of course, maddeningly exciting to a Ceramic Artist- to be given new tools, new ideas, and told "now... you go run with them!"

My Housemate is probably praying now, I don't build a Raku-style pit, or a sawdust reduction chamber in the backyard. ;)

Personally, I'm NOT a fan of Raku. I don't really care for the kind of imperfections it usually causes, and while I realize the fact that nothing you do with Raku can ever be quite duplicated makes it exciting, I think it all ends up looking so much the same in most cases, it's overdone and annoying-

This book offers some OTHER options, than the traditional, overused forms of Raku... and it's got my brain to thinking about them.

I'm pleased I ran across it, and I am pleased I read it, cover-to-cover, and made notes to boot. ;) I see a sawdust barrel, a wood glazing drum, or some other form of 'nature-based' post-firing decoration or glazing in my near future... a heavily smoked native-style vessel would be amazing. Wouldn't it?

O:)

[Vladimir Restavrator]

Good

[Nathan Huff]

Good instructions on how to build your own kiln. Now if I did not have so many projects.

[Tracey]

Another book that is on my to buy list as I've borrowed this a number of times from the library. I enjoyed reading the various firing technique instructions and simple steps to build a raku kiln.