Exploring The Ancient Art of Japanese Wood Firing Techniques with Frank Richter

You will leave with your own ceramics, transformed and marked by the living traces of a wood-fired kiln, and with a grounded understanding of Japanese ceramic and firing traditions. Through direct, hands-on experience with flame, timing, and atmosphere, you will gain a deeper sensitivity to material, form, process, and tradition. Most importantly, you will experience the rare and powerful act of letting go — allowing fire to shift from being a tool to becoming a true collaborator. This is more than a course; it is an encounter that reshapes how you see clay, control, and creation itself.

Reserve My Place!

Wood-firing techniques have a centuries-old tradition in Japan. Kilns such as the Anagama , Noborigama , or Shigaraki -Gama kiln shaped ceramic styles in which ash deposits, flame patterns, and natural glazes are not seen as flaws, but rather as expressions of vitality.

This week is an opportunity for anyone who is curious about wood firing and wants to experience the joy of coming together as a small group of fellow pottery enthusiasts who want to learn. You don’t have to have any previous knowledge of wood firing.

Over the week, you will explore wood firing as an ancient, transformative process where flame, ash, atmosphere, and shifting temperatures leave direct marks on the clay.

Wood firing is more than technique — it is a dialogue between human, fire, wood, and earth. It requires planning and dedication, yet fire remains an independent force that ultimately shapes the result.

In this workshop, we translate this approach to a small fast-fire kiln — reduced in scale, intense in energy, and condensed in time. This will allow us to fire twice during the week (subject to weather conditions) - each firing with a different emphasis leading to differing results.

The retreat week is fully catered (barring 2 of your evening meals)

All Bedrooms are private & shared bathrooms within the Mill

You will have an opportunity to relax and unwind, or go for local walks in nature.

Your week includes a visit to the Musee de Millau

The Museum offers a huge insight into the local Roman Pottery Village built in Millau 2000 years ago.

This week is an opportunity for anyone who is curious about wood firing and wants to experience the joy of coming together as a small group of fellow pottery enthusiasts, who want to learn. You don’t have to have any previous knowledge of wood firing.

You can bring your own pots to fire ( bisqueware) or we can supply blank items fr you to experiment with.

NOTE: This course follows on from our hand building course where you FRank will be guiding us through the process of orgaincially creating a varierty of hand built vessels. It is possible to attend both courses and fire your newly created pieces in this second week course. We offer a 10% discount when both courses are booked plus a free nights stay iin between courses.

Reserve My Place!

You will leave with your own ceramics, transformed and marked by the living traces of a wood-fired kiln, and with a grounded understanding of Japanese ceramic and firing traditions. Through direct, hands-on experience with flame, timing, and atmosphere, you will gain a deeper sensitivity to material, form, process, and tradition. Most importantly, you will experience the rare and powerful act of letting go — allowing fire to shift from being a tool to becoming a true collaborator. This is more than a course; it is an encounter that reshapes how you see clay, control, and creation itself.

- Dates: Friday 17 April 2026 arrive at 15:30
  Friday 24 April 2026 Depart 10:30
- Location: The Mill, Aveyron, France
- Theme / Focus: This retreat is aimed at ceramic artists who enjoy experimenting and are interested in learning about firing with wood and the associated processes.
  Each participant will bring their own bisque-fired ceramics.
  Important: The clay used must be suitable for firing temperatures up to 1300 °C.
- Group size: 6-6
- Your hosts: Frank Richter will be running the Wood Fring Course, Nathalie Edwards, founder of The Mill France will be your host.
- Course content:
  Some Theory:
  A little about the history of Wood Firing / Introduction to wood burning techniques /Special features of the fastfire-kiln/ Clay types, surface treatment/ Design options when loading the kiln/ Safety aspects and Kiln operation
  Practical part:
  The Firing process-Preparation of the pieces (glazing, applying wadding)/Loading the kiln with our bisque-fired ceramics/Selection, preparation and use of firewood/Firing the kiln/Temperature and atmosphere control/Observation of flames, drafts and ash deposits/Clearing the kiln and firing area. Jointly opening and evaluating the results
Born in the Mid 60’s in Germany, Franks first love was music - playing the violin from the age of six.
His keen sense of rhythm, tension, and expression, later translated to to his ceramic work.
Since the 1990s, he has worked with clay, beginning autodidactically and building his first raku kilns himself. A key influence was his exchange with Genya Sonobe, who introduced him to high-temperature raku firing.
His development was further shaped through international workshops and formative encounters with Peter Rothers, Steve Harrison, Chester Nealy, Judith Duff, Masakazu Kusakabe, Ido Ferber, and Shōsō Michikawa, grounding his practice in Japanese ceramics and wood-firing traditions. Centered on wood firing and high-temperature processes, his work explores the tension between control and surrender, developing a quiet, minimalist formal language.
Frank mixes his love for Japanese wood fired ceramics with a deep appreciation for Japanese Tea Ceramony.
- Accommodation at The Mill choose from one of our 7 private bedrooms
- Workshops led by Frank Richter
- Daily breakfast, lunch and 5 of your evening meals ( option to eat out or use the kitchen)
- Tea & coffee are available throughout your stay - serve yourself
- Use of all communal spaces, including gardens, terraces our salon with projector facilities for film nights, and our quiet wifi free Library, with plenty of books to inspire you during your stay
- ‍ ‍A visit to the local pottery museum
- Free Wifi
- Free on site parking
- Flights / travel to and from The Mill France
- Travel insurance (required)
- Optional excursions or meals out
- Materials beyond the basic supplies provided
- Alcohol other than wine with meals
- Our nearest airports are: Rodez 1hr 15, Beziers 1hr 20, Montpellier 1hr 30
- For trains & buses and more in-depth travel information, check out our How to get here page
- Arrival : 3pm - 6pm
  Depart: 10.30 am
- Unfortunately, due to the historic nature of the property built across four floors, we are unable to accommodate persons with mobility issues.
- Check our FAQ’s for all other information contact us.
Fees: starting at €1250 per person depending on accomodation. for 5 days (6 nights), including meals, accomodation, all tutored sessions. Please note that flexible payment options, such as Klarna, are available at checkout.