Pit-firing Pottery With Chris Dunn

Chris Dunn, Wellington-based potter and ceramicist shows us how he creates his beautiful pit-fired pottery.
This video was made as part of 'CREATIVE: I AM', an online series of interviews with inspiring local artists and creators. To see the full interview with Chris and follow the series subscribe at:
www.valettabrenzon.com/2016/02...
Video by Valetta Brenzón
Featuring track 'Heartbreakers' by Anitek:
/ heartbreakers

[@LetsDoMath]

Fascinating detail on actually loading a home made kiln for pit firing. Excellent resource. Thanks so much.

[@juliangoulding]

Awesome video guys! You should definitely make some more vids Chris. Seems like this is just a taste of the knowledge!

[@peterspawn3341]

Beautiful work!

[@kraythe]

Chris, I just found this video after this process, can you then re-fire the pots with a clear glaze to make them functional pieces as well as protect the finish?

[@marliem.5575]

Lovely colors! I would love learning to make these.

[@chrisdunn7575]

Thanks Marlisa. The video tells you a bit about how. Look up Sumi von Dassau, she has written a good book

[@marliem.5575]

Thanks for the reference :) I will be sure to check it out!

[@handmadepottery2135]

Beautiful results.

[@chrisdunn7575]

Thank you very much!

[@chrisdunn7575]

Thanks LB. A very open ended practice you can explore and find new and interesting creativity

[@ahavahyisrael]

very beautiful pots and informative. Its looked like low-fire porcelain, is that correct? thank you!

[@trabos25]

Hello, I appreciate so much your creations , thank's for sharing. A question : witch kind of clay , do you use ? Porcelaine , grès with chamotte ? Thank's for answer . Remy

[@wyattbuckbee7766]

Wait copper sulfate, or copper carbonate?

[@EBSpalding]

that was great

[@chrisdunn7575]

Glad you enjoyed the video Eric.

[@chrisdunn7575]

Thanks Eric, its great fun too!

[@monicasims2683]

Hi Chris thank you for such a clear informative video,you have inspired me to have a go.Could you tell me what clay you use for pit firing please ?Thanks

[@chrisdunn7575]

I use a white mid-firing clay (cone6) called Mac's white in NZ. You can use any clay from white earthenware to porcelain. White is good to highlight the colours. Pit firing heat is, I think, around 800degrees C, so you are not going to achieve the body strength available in high-fining clay. Not important. More important is the whiteness and surface finish. I burnish the clay surface for a smooth finish and shine.

[@11Rastafari11]

try some copper cloride and some potassium chloride for greenish blue

[@chrisdunn7575]

Thanks very much, will do and let you know how it goes.

[@Terahspidgeon]

Could anyone who understands pottery tell me if this was greenware, or if the objects were already bisque? (I'm looking to do this with my little kids during the next holiday, so in order for me to prepare, I need to know if I need to bisque fire it first :)) Thanks! PS: awesome video, very nice explanation on how to get the different colors!

Thank you, these were bisque-fired prior to being pit-fired

[@Terahspidgeon]

Thank you very much for answering :) You answer did bring up another question, if I may. In terms of temperature rise and fall, and duration, would bisque firing first not be in the same range as pit firing? Or is the bisque firing done on a lower temperature by using low temp. clay? Thanks again!

Cheers Terah. A response from the potter, Chris Dunn: Yes you are right the pots are bisque fired first but usually to a lower temperature than normal. @850 instead of the usual 1,000 degrees centigrade. Two reasons - to preserve the polished/burnished surface and to keep the clay more open to absorbing the colours. Firing higher tends to close the ‘pores’ and degrade the burnished surface.

[@Terahspidgeon]

Awesome, thanks so much for the details and your answer! Happy throwing! :)

[@ThePrairieFairymb]

Can you pit fire for the bisque-fire?

[@antoniodicappo403]

Lovely work. Did you also make the pots? Which clay recipe did you use?

[@chrisdunn7575]

Thanks Antonio, Apologies for my delay. I make the pots and I buy the clay ready made.

[@NuclearDraco]

does this technique work on cone 6 clay?

[@chrisdunn7575]

Yes, it works on any clay regardless of the vitrifying temperature.. Light coloured clay works best because a white background highlights the colours from pit-firing, and is a good contrast to the black areas. Darker clays such as terracotta provide a darker background. Try it and see.

[@connorcaproon451]

Nuc It works on any clay, but best on clays without grog. I think Chris is using porcelain for his pieces because it's naturally very smooth and easy to burnish.

[@chrisdunn7575]

I've been using a white mid-fired clay, and have tried porcelain, will use that too. Want to try white earthen ware next and am now into terracotta and looking forward to the results. You can use clay with grog in it, I think the burnishing should smooth the gritty bits sticking out so could be ok. Will try it soon.