About

Obvara is an ancient low firing technique from Eastern Europe, sometimes known also as Baltic Raku. This is a process for all the senses!

Visually it is fast and exciting, it’s hot and very smelly but if you like a combination of beer brewing and cheesy yeast it’s great!

As with all Raku processes, it is not for the faint-hearted – the results are unpredictable and acceptance of imperfection is a must! (cracked pots!) but for those that survive the results can be truly stunning.

Pieces of pottery are made and bisque before the evening’s final outdoor firing. Using a Raku kiln, pieces are fiercely heated to almost 1000C and then glowing orange are plunged first into a fermented brew before halting the process by dipping in cold water. The brew first burns ferociously on the pot surface, and in just a few seconds forms soft colours that impregnate the surface.

Patterns can be altered by varying the brew, burnishing the surface or adding colour through slips or surface texture. The patterns formed are totally random and can look mottled, spotty or even feathered.