Naked Raku - The Process
This process is similar to the traditional Raku process although in this case, the glaze's single purpose is to block smoke. The pieces are burnished to ensure they are smooth then bisque fired. Then the glaze is applied in a manner that allows it to fall off at the end of the process.
The pieces are fired to 1700F, removed from the kiln while hot and placed in a small lidded can that is filled with sawdust or combustibles. This produces a lot of smoke that is forced into any unglazed areas and past the cracks in the rapidly cooling glaze.
The pots are removed from the can after about 15 minutes and quick cooled by water. This results in the glazes "jumping" off the pots leaving a varied and unique black crackle pattern and unglazed areas solid satin black.
When the pots are cool, they are cleaned and heartily scrubbed to remove residual glaze and other ash. When dry, they are waxed to reveal and enhance the satin finish produced by the burnishing.
Naked Raku - Gallery
