Pekka Paikkari II

Demonstrating how he produces his larges slab pieces with their typical cracking pattern.

Using stiff clay and spreading it on a absorbent surface like a concrete floor or plaster slab like this demonstration.

Spreading the clay

Using the feet to further spread and compress the clay.

Finally adding a pattern with a fork

The pieces are left to dry afterwards for a long time and naturally crack into sections. When dry a wash of copper oxide and black stain is applied and the surface highlighted with bat wash.
the individual cracked pieces are small enough to fit into a standard kiln.