If you are getting started with raku, this technique is very nice to try out: having just taken the hot pot out of the kiln, drop a few horsehairs on the pot. The heat of the pot causes the hairs to shrivel immediately, leaving behind a whimsical smoky pattern that is absorbed by the surface of your pot.
The result is a unique interplay of lines that cannot be predicted. You’re never sure how the hair will curl, so it’s exciting, too. You can also try it with bird feathers, which also often give surprisingly beautiful results.
Cover photo of Madstone Raku
