Raku Taster Workshop

Today I attended a Raku taster workshop just this side of Gainsborough with Laura Lee.

She has a lovely studio in gorgeous grounds.

Inside the studio, Laura giving us some instruction for the different pots.

First we used the oxides and then did a double dip in the glaze.

Then we wondered down to the firing area and put them all inside a make shift kiln.

We then came back up to the studio to prepare the next two whilst the first one was frying as well as a plain pot for everyone.

Laura all kitted up in her fireproof PPE taking the oxided pots out of the kiln.

One of the guys added straw and a bit of sugar to the bucket whilst the other one wafted to get a fire going.

 Then they put the lid on to seal it.

Then the double dipped drippy ones went in the kiln.  And the plain ones came out of the other kiln.

Whilst the pots were still extremely hot we were invited to press all sorts onto them to create different patterns on them. There were all sorts of different combustables, feathers, horse hair, leaves, other plant parts, lavender, grasses and animal hair.

Then it was lunchtime and we all got our own little box of goodies and were invited to go and investigate the gardens and the moat and have a picnic.  I went and sat under a shaded tree as it was extremely hot, around 28 degrees!!

After lunch the last two pots were taken out of the kiln and this time covered in sawdust, but this is a special wood sawdust that brings out the gold in the oxides and glazes. I took part in this one and was in charge of the dustbin lid!!!  Wafting to get a fire and smoke and then starving it by covering the edges of the lid in the sawdust.

We then all got a spray bottle and as Laura took the lid off we all sprayed the pots to cool them down.

And the same again for the second lot from the sawdust.

And again, we sprayed them to cool them down. Once they were all cooled down we washed the smoke and debris off and also used a wire brush to get them cleanish.

I took a photo of them on the grass when I got home.

This is my favourite one and all I used was Bailey and Dillons fur.

Finnabair Workshop Day 2 - Steampunk Machine

 

Off we go again, our kit for day 2 - steampunk machine.

Anna, telling us what the first step for today is.

Our table painting their wooden panels.

And the other half of our table.

Burnt sienna, umber and black ink acrylic paints with lots and lots of water. Spray the canvas, spray water into the paints and have a wet brush. The more water you use, the more fluid the paint will be. Dry and repeat until you get the depth of colour you want.

Added some stencilling using 3d soft gel.

Table 2 back at work and table 1 getting their demo from Anna at the top table.

Then our turn again for the next stage, which is flakes!!!

I decided to use just the silver and gold flakes. They look really good over the stencilling.

Everyone adding their metallic flakes.

The next step was the composition.

This was mine. I did include quite a few of my own embellishments.

Anna just taking the lid off a new pot of white gesso, so guess what was coming next!

A thin coat of white gesso!!!

I coloured the majority of the elements with bronze age wax and added black gold in as a contrast. Loved both colours and together they look amazing.

I added some green and orange to try and replicate patina / rust effect.  I felt I need to bring out some of the textures, so I used old silver wax to rub across the top of some of the elements to bring the hi-lights out.

And the last instructions of the day from Anna were to add micro beads and also use the sparks to create splatters. But only if we wanted to.

I decided to add both the microbeads and the splatters. I'm not very good at splatters but these ones didn't turn out too bad.

And finally, I added my image.

Finnabair Workshop - Secret Garden

 

Two huge tables had been set up with name badges.

We we actually sat opposite Sylv and Heidi and I was next to Helen and then Sheliagh, who I first met the the Powertex garden party.

A bit of housekeeping and then Anna being introduced to the group.

Anna explaining the first stage of the process.

Everyone listening intently.

There was also a pop up shop for us to indulge ourselves in.

The first thing to do was to cover half of the canvas board with tissue paper.

Next stage of the project.

Adding stencilling using fibre paste.  I went for the brick.

Building up the composition.

We had a wooden window and a variety of paper flowers, cogs, metal embellishments, resin pieces and I added a couple of light bulbs. I glued everything down with heavy body gel.

Next everything got a coat of white gesso.

Anna showing us the next stage.

Which was to choose our colour palette.

As you can see, the colours are pretty vibrant.

So lots and lots of coats of dry brushing with gesso were needed.

Back to the table with Anna for the next step.

White Pearl metallic paint added over the white gesso, and once dry I added Finnabair Magic Potion effect paste.  It's still wet here but will dry clear showing the sparkly pieces.