Alternative Kilns & Firing Techniques: Raku * Saggar * Pit * Barrel
Ceramicists looking to push their practice beyond the conventional kiln will find a great deal to work with here. James Watkins and Paul Wandless, joined by a number of skilled artisans, walk readers through building low-cost, low-tech kilns that still produce genuinely impressive results. The designs covered span a good range, from a versatile and budget-friendly Raku Kiln to a rather intriguing wood-fuelled Downdraft Stovepipe Barrel kiln. Each one opens up rich surface effects through alternative reduction firing methods. It's not just about construction, though. Clear, step-by-step guidance for a variety of fast-fire techniques is laid out across full-colour photography, showing you how to achieve terra sigillata surfaces using direct chemical application, how to work with traditional crackle-glaze raku, and how to produce striking smoke finishes. The instructions are accessible without being patronising, making this a genuinely useful resource for both newcomers to alternative firing and more experienced makers wanting to broaden their repertoire.
- Author: James C. Watkins
- Publisher: Union Square & Co.
- Genre: Home Improvement
- ISBN: 978-1579909529
- Pages: 128 pages