FOREWORD

The firing and cooling techniques used in the outdoor workshop are usually known as “raku” techniques. I prefer not to use this name and to refer to them as “ quick firing procedures”. Actually, the raku technique comes from Japan and has nothing to do with this kind of process. Sometimes the results are similar, mainly because of certain enamels used in combination with reducing agents.

QUICK FIRING PROCEDURE

It consists in decorating and enamelling a biscuit ware and in putting it in a very hot oven (500° - 700°C) later. Once the requested temperature is reached, the white-hot objects are taken out and treated in different ways according to the result required. Special effects can be obtained by producing a reduction reaction with smoke from paper or sawdust. For this kind of quick firing procedures special material is necessary, such as fireclay or enamels which can stand very high and sudden changes in temperature.

Pottery usually requires very long manufacturing times. The outdoor workshop, on the contrary, requires rather short times, sometimes as short as half day. Therefore, being able to skip the first phase (modelling, drying and biscuiting) and to use proper material allows a quicker production of the finished object. It also enables a larger number of people to decorate and enamel their own objects.

The outdoor laboratory allows several possibilities, depending on different factors such as – time available, time of the year, working place, results required. People can either only watch a demonstration or take active part in it. Once there is enough time for drying, they can also handmake the object, mould them on the potter’s wheel or experiment with other types of firing techniques (bucchero, majolica decoration, high temperatures).

OUTDOOR WORKSHOP EQUIPMENT

The outdoor lab is complete in itself. It only needs a supply of water and an electric socket for the potter’s wheel. The lab is made up of a gas oven (TR), a wheel, small disks, enamels, paints, paintbrushes, a table and decoration tools. It can be used in any setting – lawn, gravel, asphalt or porphyry floor.