<body bgcolor="#FFFFFF" text="#000000">
<p><img src="../en/images/firing_title.gif" width="77" height="28" alt="Firing" >
<a href="MethodsFrameEn.html"><img name="methods" border="0" src="images/methodsOff.gif" width="65" height="19" alt="methods" title="Learn more about methods used to create ceramic art"></a><a href="MaterialsFrameEn.html"><img name="materials" border="0" src="images/materialsOff.gif" width="60" height="19" alt="materials" title="Discover some of the materials used in ceramic art"></a><img name="firing" border="0" src="images/firingOff.gif" width="39" height="19" alt="firing" title="Understand more about the process that turns clay into ceramic"><a href="DecorationsFrameEn.html"><img name="decorations" border="0" src="images/decorationsOff.gif" width="83" height="19" alt="decorations" title="Explore techniques used to add details to a piece"></a>
</p>
<p><span class="title">Bisque Firing</span><span class="bodytext"><br>
Before an object is glazed, it is often bisque fired. The purpose of bisque
firing is to render the object more durable, while leaving it porous enough
to absorb glaze. Bisque firing occurs at a temperature (minimum 500-600°C)
below that of glaze firing, and must begin slowly to prevent the object from
cracking or exploding.<br>
</span><span class="menutia">Bisque Firing Video <a href="video/firing/BisqueFireLowEn.html" title="Graham Sheehan explains the process of Bisque Firing">small</a>
(1.9 Mb) <a href="video/firing/BisqueFireHighEn.html" title="Graham Sheehan explains the process of Bisque Firing">large</a>
(3.0 Mb)</span></p>
<p><span class="title">Glaze Firing</span><br>
<span class="bodytext">After an object has been formed and glazed, it is fired
in a process known as glaze firing. Glaze firing - which occurs at a higher
temperature than bisque firing - fuses the glaze to together in combination
with the surface of the clay body. The atmosphere within the kiln has a dramatic
effect on the final appearance of the fired object. Glaze firing can be either
oxidizing or reducing, depending on the presence of absence of oxygen within
the kiln.<br>
</span><span class="menutia">Glaze Firing Video <a href="video/firing/GlazefireLowEn.html" title="Graham Sheehan explains the process of Glaze Firing">small</a>
(2.9 Mb) <a href="video/firing/GlazefireHighEn.html" title="Graham Sheehan explains the process of Glaze Firing">large</a>
(7.4 Mb) </span></p>
<p><span class="title">Oxidation Firing<br>
</span><span class="bodytext">Oxidation firing usually takes place in an electric
kiln, where oxygen is present in the atmosphere. Oxidation is necessary for
the development of certain colours (such as greens from copper) and is often
associated with clean, carefully controlled, bright colours and surfaces.<br>
</span><span class="menutia">Oxidation Firing Video <a href="video/firing/ElecLowEn.html" title="Robin Hopper discusses oxidation firing">small</a>
(2.5 Mb) <a href="video/firing/ElecHighEn.html" title="Robin Hopper discusses oxidation firing">large</a>
(6.5 Mb)</span></p>
<p><span class="title">Reduction Firing</span><span class="bodytext"><br>
Reduction firing usually takes place in a fuel-burning kiln, where the kiln
atmosphere is starved of oxygen. In reduction firing, unstable gases combine
with oxygen in the metals of the clay body and glazes, reducing them to a lower
oxide and altering their colour. Reduction firing is useful in developing certain
colours (such as reds from copper) and effects, such as the characteristic speckles
caused by iron pyrites in clay.</span><br>
<span class="menutia">Reduction Firing Video <a href="video/firing/ReducLowEn.html" title="Robin Hopper explains the process of Reduction Firing">small</a>
(2.3 Mb) <a href="video/firing/ReducHighEn.html" title="Robin Hopper explains the process of Reduction Firing">large</a>
(9.3 Mb)</span></p>
<p><span class="title">Pit Firing</span><br>
<span class="bodytext">Pit firing is the most primitive method of firing, consisting
of a hole in the ground, lined with combustible materials. The pottery is placed
on top of that, then covered with some shards or broken pieces of pottery and
more combusitble materials, then lit.<br>
</span> <span class="menutia">Pit Firing Video <a href="video/firing/PitfireLowEn.html" title="Robin Hopper demonstrates pit firing">small</a>
(3.2 Mb) <a href="video/firing/PitfireHighEn.html" title="Robin Hopper demonstrates pit firing">large</a>
(8.9 Mb)</span></p>
<p><span class="title">Raku Firing</span><span class="bodytext"><br>
Raku firing is a process developed by early Japanese potters, in which the object
is placed in a hot kiln, fast fired until the glaze melts, and then removed
from the kiln while still red hot. Often, Raku firing is combined with post-firing
reduction, where the still hot object is placed into a covered container with
combustibles such as leaves or sawdust. The Raku method is popular both for
its speed, and for the wide range of colour and surface effects of which it
is capable.</span><span class="menutia"><br>
Raku Firing Video <a href="video/firing/RakuKilnLowEn.html" title="Robin Hopper demonstrates the Raku Firing process">small</a>
(2.8 Mb) <a href="video/firing/RakuKilnHighEn.html" title="Robin Hopper demonstrates the Raku Firing process">large</a>
(9.3 Mb) | <a href="examples/OliveMufflerTeapotEn.html" title="View an example of raku firing by Agnes Olive">artwork
example</a></span></p>
<p><span class="title">Wood Firing</span><span class="bodytext"><br>
Despite being labor intensive and often unpredictable, wood firing has become
increasingly popular among contemporary potters, as the effect of wood ash,
flash markings, and the unique aerial environment of a wood-fired kiln produces
surface effects that are otherwise unattainable. </span><br>
<span class="menutia">Wood Firing Process Video <a href="video/firing/WoodKilnLowEn.html" title="Graham Sheehan discusses the process of wood firing">small</a>
(3.3 Mb) <a href="video/firing/WoodKilnHighEn.html" title="Graham Sheehan discusses the process of wood firing">large</a>
(7.4 Mb) | Wood Firing Effects Video <a href="video/firing/WoodFireLowEn.html" title="Robin Hopper demonstrates the effects of wood firing">small</a>
(2.7 Mb) <a href="video/firing/WoodFireHighEn.html" title="Robin Hopper demonstrates the effects of wood firing">large</a>
(4.8 Mb) | <a href="examples/ArchambeauJarBronzeLidEn.html" title="View an example of wood firing by Robert Archambeau">artwork
example 1</a> | <a href="examples/GowdyMcKinleyTeapotCupsEn.html" title="View an example of wood firing by Ruth Gowdy McKinley">artwork
example 2</a></span></p>
</body>