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Ceramic craftsmen intent on making pottery for everyday use, as well as dedicated artisans concentrating on fine-art objects will find inspiration and practical instruction in this handsome volume. Step-by-step tutorials take readers through each stage of the ceramic-making process with--

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Customer Reviews (6)

Surface Design for Ceramics (A Lark Ceramics Book)
Great Book. Gives a good over view of the types of surface treatments that can be done. Good starting point for developing texture as a part of designing ceramics.

Lovin' it
I am pleased and inspired by this book. I am encouraged to stretch myself in my own work.

Inspiring
I found this book full of great ideas and techniques.I have been a "potter" for 12 years, and sometimes find myself in creative ruts.This book came to me at a time I really needed to explore some new ideas.There is nothing "new" in pottery.But there are new ways to present techniques and I think Maureen did this very well.She works in slip-trailing like no one else I've seen.I was really excited by her latex resist techniques as well.Since receiving this book as a gift, I have tried several of the decorating techniques.I've been energized to try new things, and share them with my students as well.
This book is a great addition to most potter's libraries, something I look forward to browsing for many years to come.

Great, useful book!


If you're looking for techniques to try as you work in clay,the recently published Surface Design for Ceramics may be just your cup of tea.

No how-to book showing how to execute someone else's ideas, New Hampshire Institute of Art Ceramics chair Maureen Millls' book exxposes the reader, with helpful detail, to a wide range of decorative processes. Close-up photographs show her hands at work demonstrating at every stage of making, from freshly-thrown clay, through biscuit to post-firing. Her finished pieces are fine illustrations of process. The layout of pages is balance and attractive. While the tools employed are simple, possibilities for their use are many, as are the examples of pots and details of pots showing how the effects are achieved. I found myself drawn in, wanting to know which tools and techniques were used, and in what sequence. There is plenty of explanation.

Mills' own pieces are augmented by photos of other artists' work, both contemporary and from historic periods. Inclusion of pieces by potters in New England, both well and lesser-known, is refreshing, as it reveals her interest in and personal connection to other people's work and style. It's a delight to see so many New Hampshire potters represented!

After the (too short!) chapter on design, dividing the book into clay stages is useful, as it avoids the confusion of figuring out at what stage which technique is appropriate. You can jump right in, and imagination is stimulated, not to copy, but to move through and past, to one's own expression. Options for firing and post-firing finishing are thought-provoking, as one sees the results and can identify the methods of firing. Truly, we are being taught to make our own choices, and the possibilities are endless.

Maureen Mills' considerable experience as a teacher informs the book. She and her husband, Steve Zoldak, are remarkable as educators. Helpful hints abound, clear and concise, never with the pedantic verbosity that has often made me turn the page to escape an author's self-centered intrusion on process.

There is something in this book for most potters, and discreet but crucial suggestions are what intrigue me the most, such as: "It's best to take time to visualize the finished piece before you get started."

informative & inspiring
easy to follow instructions for the techniques covered along with great pics. whether you are a new or seasoned clay addict it is a nice addition to your library. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (7)

Another Great "500" Book
I have a total of five of the '500' books, but this one is my favorite.I am a ceramics sculptor and this is so inspiring.The artists represented in 500 Ceramic Sculptures range from cartoonists to fine artists.That is the beauty of ceramics; it can become pretty much anything you can imagine.If you love ceramics or sculpture or art in general, you will love owning this book.

500 Series: Ceramic Sculptures
Beautiful book, gorgeous photographs of unique and beautiful pieces. Highly recommended. Hundreds of different artists, sculptures for all tastes. Hours of page flipping, lots of great inspirational ideas.

contemporary ceramic sculptures
Contemporary ceramic sculptures would also be a great name for this book. This is not a how to book but rather shows many different versions of what can be done, and is being done, with ceramics. I love all the 500 series art books.

didn't meet my expectations
This book was purchased to show my ceramic students and I thought it was less than inspiring images of ceramic arts.

I was disappointed and you might be too
I was looking for a survey of contemporary ceramic sculpture and I thought any book claiming to have 500 images of them should be able to cover all the bases pretty well.Not so.

After buying the book and reading the fine print I learned that it's a compilation of photos from a juried competition (i.e. only those who submitted photos were considered and, of those, only the ones selected by the single, idiosyncratic juror made it into the book).Forget comprehensiveness here.Although there is some good work shown, I found more representation of the "icky/creepy" school of ceramics than I needed.

And where are the bright lights of the ceramic sculpture world?Where is Betty Woodman, Sueharu Fukami, Andrew Lord, Ken Price, Viola Frey, Wouter Dam, Ruth Duckworth, etc., etc.?Not in this book.

If you're looking for a wider, more comprehensive view of this subject I'd recommend Postmodern Ceramics by Mark Del Vecchio or Color and Fire by Jo Lauria. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (15)

Pottery101
I am a new student/devotee to pottery. This book explained clearly the techniques& the terms I need to know. The photographs of pieces by great artists are inspiring & just plain beautiful. I really like the challenge presented in the projects, even if I didn't like al the designs. Each project helps to gain"hands -On"learning & application of skills.A really great ( & by the way instructor- approved) book . It'll be referred back to often.Handbuilt Ceramics: Pinching * Coiling * Extruding * Molding * Slip Casting * Slab Work( A Lark Ceramics Book)

Great pottery handbuilding book
I really enjoyed this book.It had a lot of great ideas for clay handbuilt projects. It also gave details on how to build the sculptures and how clay is found and harvested. It's a great book for anyone who enjoys working with clay.

Great gift Item for the handbuilder in your life.
I bought this as a gift for my 73 year old aunt who just recently began doing pottery and she absolutely loved it! I think its a great gift item for the potter in your life.

Book Review of Handbuilt Ceramics
Great book with easy to follow instructions and ideas for creating a variety of pieces. The author also shares intersting pieces by other artists with lovely photographs.

Seasoned Potter
I am a 8-year potter yet found this book very very interesting...it is well worth the investment. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (18)

My cup runneth over
Beautiful art book displaying many cups.Good for leafing through to gain inspiration on ideas.Beautiful photographs.

500 Series: Cups
Beautiful book, gorgeous photographs of unique and beautiful pieces. Highly recommended. Hundreds of different artists, cups and mugs for all tastes. Hours of page flipping, lots of great inspirational ideas.

Book of Inspirations
This book is basically a picture book with many unique creations by other artists. They give me lots of new ideas to use in my own pottery. I highly recommend this book for the person that just needs a new direction to go with their art. I am currently requesting the other books like 500 bowls, pitchers, plates, etc.

One thing to know is that this book is not a How-To Manual. Apparently the artists wanted to keep their techniques private, but their work public. I found that many of the pieces looked difficult to replicate, as they can become very abstract. There are some descriptions of certain properties, such as the type of firing and clay. Other than that, the pieces served me as inspirations for experimentation.

Wonderful book
The variety of effects possible with ceramics and glazes never fails to amaze. I collect ceramics but I could never afford or find so many lovely examples as are in this $16 book. One complaint: The text notes some of the technical features of each piece without defining them or explaining what they mean.

An addition to my collection
I have 6 books in this series, and I enjoy them all. They are well-edited and the photos are fantastic. You really can't read this book in one sitting. You'll find yourself referring to it over time for inspiration and enjoyment. Of the 500.. series this is my least-favorite, but it is still very good. My favorites are "500 Figures in Clay" and "500 animals in Clay". ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (16)

Mold Making & Slip CAsting
The book answered my questions and helped me to decide to give this art form a chance. I'm having a blast. The book is really good.

Excellent and comprehensive
This excellent book is an ambitious and extremely thorough survey of mold making and slip casting.In re-reading sections of the book, I regularly uncover additional information that is useful as I gain more experience.In other words, this book keeps on giving: the more experience you have with the techniques, the more you can learn from Andrew Martin guidance and examples.Great trouble-shooting sections.

Randy Porter

instructions for making simple molds
does a fine job with simple molds. I was hoping for a more advanced text on more complicated 3 and 4 piece molds.

Very Good Book....
This is an essential for anyone interested in mold making & producing molds from pieces you have made & would like to duplicate in uniformity.

It also has good examples & photos to explain the process.I would have liked more on the area of the clay bodies used in casting and the unique properties and problems you may encounter vs. the properties of the plaster to make the molds.As references go, this is a probably the best I've read & would highly recommend it for anyone interested in casting.

Best Mold Making Book on the Market!
Andrew Martin's "The Essential Guide to Mold Making & Slip Casting" is simply THE definitive book on the process of making molds. The first edition was a challange to the beginner, but this new edition with many photos of every step really helps bring the art of mold making to every skill level. I use this book in the studio and refer to it all of the time. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (4)

Slab-Built Ceramics
Book shows what can be done with large scale ceramics. Is a good jumping off point in helping someone who is learning to open up their creative thinking about what can be done with clay.

Slab-built Ceramics
For those who are practicing ceramic artists, this book would serve as a terrific resource for exploration in unique slab-building techniques. Featured techniques are explained,most w/firing details. Unfortunately, some of us do not have access to the wondrous availabilities the artists employed (woodfiring, large kilns, etc). Photos are great, inspiring, and motivating! Many familiar names in the book as well.

great book for handbuilders
As a handbuilder, I am always interested in how others construct their works, but many handbuilding books seem to cover the same basics again and again. Not this one! This is the book I have been dreaming of -- great color pictures of a number of potters' works with information on precisely how many of the results were obtained. I wish there were more books like this on the market!

Great Book
This book is a wonderful addition to any ceramic library.It is well laid out and has many beautiful photographs.It is well written and easy to understand.It covers both functional and sculptural forms in a thorough manner.This book is good for experienced ceramic artists as well as beginners.A lovely little gem. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (9)

Excellent book for beginners, get your hands dirty!
Well written, easy to follow instructions, step by step with being too much of hand holding, ready projects which can be changed easily, and a lot of info, for a beginner, coils, slabs, stamps, about glazing, firing, clay, kilns,and setting up the studio. Even though I will not have a kiln, or real studio, (doing ceramics for pleasure), this is a wonderful how-to book, and a good reference. Pictures following instructions are great,and samples of ready project too. Diverse artwork by professionals are feast for the eyes.This book fully satisfies my needs as person who wants to make ceramics for personal enrichment, but it will be smart enoughfor an artist who never tried ceramics, and would like to expand his/her experience in another, new area.

why no preview?
I wanted to purchase this book, but any publisher that will not allow his book to be previewed, or at least let me look at the contents, index, and covers, cwill not get my business. I'll have to wait until I can get to a book store an hour away to physically check out the book. How sad.

Great Place To Begin!
This is a very well-written little manual on handbuilding clay.Very informative, easy to understand and loaded with tips and good ideas.I am far beyond the beginning stage of handbuilding, but it was good in terms of review and also offers additional techniques not covered in the handbuilding classes I attended.Definitely a 'keeper.'Highly recommend for beginners.

For people just starting handbuilding.
I purchased this book because I wanted to know more about handbuilding. It bills itself as being for beginners and I should have given that more weight in my decision to buy it. If you have done some hand building skip this book.

Good Job!
As a neophyte student of ceramics, I was thrilled to discover such a wonderfully presented and explicit account of turning clay into beautiful and functional works of art. Whether one is looking for instructions or inspiration, Shay's book satisfies. The wording is clear, concise, and carefully crafted to lead and reveal without being tediously pedantic. Each chapter builds sequentially and is complemented, supported, and underscored with outstanding graphics. Kudos to Shay, her photographer, her editors, and her publisher for such a stellar work of art in itself. I really love this book and plan to give several as gifts to family and friends. ... Read more

Product Description
The accepted standard for understanding glazes, this book explores glaze and color making in a hands-on way that follows the empirical understanding used for thousands of years. Hopper provides an impressive description of his extensive research into glaze, color, texture, and surface enrichment. It is the perfect practical complement to any glaze theory or process of calculation, including glaze calculation software programs.

The Ceramic Spectrum is mainly a story of personal discovery over a 45-year period, of playing with materials and fire and observing their interaction, of looking at colors and textures in nature and visualizing how to achieve them with ceramic materials, of looking at hundreds of thousands of glaze and color tests, always looking for the elusive or the unknown and sometimes being granted the unimaginable. Long-term interests in geology and ceramic history have also fueled this passion to understand and use elements of the earth to create objects of both usefulness and contemplation. Hopper helps eliminate confusion for others through his personal experiences and observations with this medium. Pottery making is a continuum where one generation has learned from previous generations, some as a family pursuit and some through the inevitable seduction of material and process.

The primary intent of The Ceramic Spectrum is not as recipe book, but to demystify an extremely complex subject. Although it has over 500 recipes, all of which work perfectly well and have been widely tested, they are given to suggest parameters in which these glazes develop, to show some of the variables that control both surface and color. This book aims to make available to the student of ceramics whether beginner, advanced, or professional an approach to the study of ceramic glaze and color development which does not rely on the use of published formulas, recipes or the mathematics of ceramic glaze calculation.

Glaze making is a process of creative thought. It goes back to the empirical methods, through intuition and observation of materials and fire, in use for nearly 5,000 years before the understanding of glaze formulation by mathematical equation and molecular weight of chemicals.

The aim of this book is to encourage personal curiosity and exploration of materials for glaze and color, so that anyone can develop their own glazes, without pain or anguish, and with a very exciting learning experience.

The text is perfect as a course outline for either the individual or the group, where shared experiences tend to enhance and speed up the learning process. It should also be usable as a research tool for the understanding and development of colors, which may have previously seemed beyond reach.

"For those who feel intimidated by chemical/mathematical formulation, it is my hopethat in the exploration of this book it will be possible for the reader to finda new direction in the search for an individual idiom" Robin Hopper ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

One of the best books on glazes
You will create more test tiles than you know what to do with.I love this book and Ron Roy's book too.So good.... so much to try.... so little time....

Superlative Scholarly volume.......FIRST RATE
Robin Hopper strikes again.Three cheers for a wonderful text crammed full of information; clearly and concisely presented.
I also recommend his DVD "THROWING ON THE WHEEL".

Inspiring
I recently met Robin Hopper at the NCECA conference in Phoenix.He is as delightful, informative and inspiring as his books.The Ceramic Spectrum is one of several books Mr. Hopper has produced that will have the information for you when you need it.As you develope in knowledge and experience and seek to go to the next stage of development, his books will contain the keys/information you seek.

This is aMUSTfor all ceramist who want to know how
I read it in only few days and I learned more than a year of reading other books on ceramics and on the process of doing glazes.
It teach you how to master the very hard work of doing glazes in a right way letting you to follow your ideas but with strong bases and by using your brain.
It teach you also how to work in easy ways with the right organisation of your ceramist job.
This is the most useful book I have read in these last years together with two other books,that is : Clay and Glazes for the PotterandThe Potter's Dictionary of Materials and Techniques

Great book, great service from Amazon
The Ceramic Spectrum is filled with detailed information and wonderful color pictures of glazing procedures and results.Extremely detailed color pictures of different glazes, errors made during glazing as well as mixing or modifying glazes from existing compounds. This book covers details from simple glazing techniques to complex crystalline glazes, and textural glaze applications. It has detailed explanations of glaze testing, color testing, glaze application and application faults. Almost all subjects are covered with color pictures of different techniques, faults and treatments.A totally complex subject treated in understandable terms. If you want to mix glazes, understand glaze procedures and techniques, avoid common errors, etc. this is the book for you.Excellent. ... Read more

Product Description
In this exhaustive introduction to ceramics, all the materials, equipment, and techniques of the craft are presented clearly and accessibly. An easy-to-follow text is accompanied by hundreds of color photographs and schematic drawings that illustrate every material, technique, piece of equipment, and step-by-step demonstration.



The book begins with a history of ceramics that covers techniques and styles from various periods and parts of the world. Then clays and glazes are introduced, with details on the diffrent types and their compositions, as well as instruction on how to prepare them. Next, kilns, kiln furniture, potters' wheels, and other equipment and tools are illustrated and thier uses demonstrated. The core of the book is dedicated to presenting the full range of ceramic techniques: hand-building, molding, throwing, glazing, and firing. In the final section, step-by-step projects show how to employ these techniques to create a variety of vessles and sculptural forms. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Big, Big Book
This book arrived in great condition. It is a very comprehensive ceramics book. The visuals are easy to understand with pictures of some great art work. Very helpful for art teachers and students.

Big Book of Ceramics Satisfaction
This book shows step-by-step processes for working with clay that are accompanied by written and verbal explanations.The book is comprehensive and perfect for those beginning or intermediate level ceramicists. As an art teacher, I find the descriptions and sequential nature of the book incredibly useful. The book came as described--sealed, new from the publisher. Through Amazon, I found the best prices for the book and am happy with my purchase.

A book to treasure
A true guide on technique,
but also to build excitment and passion for this craft.

neither very big nor very useful
Pleasing to the eye but it surely fails to live up to the promise of its title. The instructions on constructing and throwing pots is adequate (though scanty).The sections on other aspects of the craft are more an outline than a guide. Disappointed, I searched our local community college library and found several comprehensive instructional texts on ceramics that were bigger and better than this book - though most were written 30 years ago.

Not a helpful resource for learning on the wheel
I was disappointed after receiving this book.While it gave a nice overview of different types of ceramics, it did not give the detailed information I was looking for. The summary on wheel throwing was relatively small and gave virtually no information regarding types of wheels or information on selecting one.The description of the book does seem a bit misleading...leading one to believe that this book would be an invaluable, detailed reference source.I found this not to be the case and would not recommend it for those looking for a reference document. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (13)

Disappointing
I have purchased many books published by Lark in the past and have been delighted, but this one is not up to their usual standard. I found the writing a bit awkward and confusing.

I've never heard of glazes referred to as overglazes...took me a while to figure out what she was talking about.

Here is one example of a confusing statement: ... "Once you've fired the bead in the kiln, you embed the wire permanently into the clay." I had to reread the paragraph 3 times before I realized that the wire is put into the bead before you fire it. The sentence would have been more clear had it been: "Place the wire loop into the soft clay bead, and once fired it is permanently embedded in the bead"

I was particularly interested in using pmc with clay beads, the section on that idea left me with more questions than answers.

I also thought the photos, while well shot, didn't quite illustrate what the author intended.
I presume all the illustrated projects were by the author as I saw no credit given to them...another disappointment. I would have liked to have seen other artists interpretations/examples. I would have wanted to know that before I bought the book.

A list of sources for material was also lacking in the book. Usually Lark books include that.

Exactly what I needed
I stopped making pottery on the wheel about 15 years ago when my arthritis became too severe.Now I find myself making jewelry, and I am excited to return to working with clay as part of my new hobby.

This book would be most useful to those who have a background in working with clay.I do not want to suggest that the author failed to cover any necessary information; this is a field in which details are important, and I don't know how you could learn everything you need to know from any book.If you really want to make clay beads, pendants, etc., and you've never worked with clay, this book would be an excellent addition to a pottery class.Even though the book is very thorough, I don't think you can expect to pick it up (or any other book, either) and have all of the information you need.For one thing, the information you need will in part depend on what's available in your area from your local suppliers.There are different kinds of clay bodies and various kinds of glazes - you can even make your own, but that's getting pretty advanced.Electric kilns are different from gas kilns, which are different from wood-fired kilns. . .which are often artisan-made, and no book will provide what you need to know about those, as they are all different, and often must be fired several times before their quirks are understood.

A few weeks ago I went out and bought 25 lbs of porcelain, and even though I have quite a bit of experience with it for throwing and handbuilding, when it came to making small objects with holes, I had a lot of questions.This book answered every one of them, and I'm grateful I found it.Although I won't be making any of the author's projects, as her taste and style are very different from mine, reading through the projects still yields a lot of important information.If your taste, also, varies enough from the author's that you don't think you will make any of the projects, that's not a reason to shy away from this book.There's enough information there to guide you through your own variations so that you can produce your own artistic vision.

Read her instructions carefully, as they contain a lot of information.If you've not worked in clay before, I would strongly suggest taking a pottery class and using this book, along with your instructor's direction, to fine tune your craft.Then find another instructor.Just as one book can't possibly teach everything, neither can one instructor.This is a wonderful, rewarding hobby, and this book is an important part of the literature.

Great ideas!!
I love this book. I am a beginner and was very inspired by the author and the great projects you find in this book. Very bright colors. I can't wait to work on my blue dot bracelet!! The steps are very well explained. Thanks for inspiring me!

mixed reaction
This book is beautiful and full of inspiration, but weak on technology in my opinion. I bought it, sight unseen because I have been making ceramic beads for some months now, and experiencing a very steep learning curve. I hoped the book would address some of the problems I have been experiencing, however, this book reveals no big secrets. I am glad I bought it, but it was not all I hoped for.

A Thing of Beauty is a Joy Forever
"Ceramic Bead Jewelry" is a "how to make ceramic beads" book, but I didn't get it because I'm planning to make any beads. I got it more as an inspiration book. It has beautiful photography and layout, and I like looking at the pictures of the finished pieces. Jennifer Heynen, author and artist, has a bold graphic style that is very appealing. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (25)

Best How-to book!
This is my favorite book of all my ceramic books and I have more than a few!If you don't want to spend the money for a high fire gas or propane kiln (and who does in this economy!) then this book will guide your exploration into different ways of finishing your clay creations.I tried the barrel firing (without the terra sigillata, just burnishing) by Linda Keleigh and was able to sell the resulting products. This is a good hands on book.

Alternative Kilns & Firing Techniques
Well written with explicit instructions and photos explaining each technique. Inspiring to try new techniques!

Pottery
Very informative book. There are so many ways to fire pottery that I didn't even conceive of. Excellent material for anyone who enjoys making things with clay!

raku kiln
Has some real nice photos, a few good Raku ideas that make the book worth wile.
Gives the average person a very good overview in bare bones terms, and the experienced a couple of techniques to try.
If you just looking at building a Raku kiln. I have found equivalent or better designs on the web. Enjoyable to read for a tech manual. Inexpensive well worth the price.

outstanding book
Got a wheel and don't have thousands of dollars for a kiln? Here's your solution. This book shows you how to make and use several inexpensive gas- and wood-fired kilns. If you live somewhere you can light a fire outdoors, you can fire your own work. The directions are clear, complete, and the photographs are excellent. There is also a photo gallery of works fired using the methods detailed in the book. Several of these pieces are absolutely stunning.

The book also led me to a potentially wonderful feature. Lark Books maintains a list of suppliers for the materials used in their craft books on their website, but I can't make it work. For instance, you can't just search for "fire brick" to find a vendor near you--it seems to want the name of a company. Hopefully, Lark will improve this feature works. If it were easy to use, it would be a great asset. They should also allow Amazon customers to look inside their books. They have top-notch art and excellent content. I can't believe they don't utilize the full value of these as marketing tools. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (16)

Good overview, excellent examples and illustrations
Angelica Pozo offers a thorough overview of the process of making and installing handmade tiles. She covers the process from beginning to end, explaining the basics of each step very well. There are lots of photos -- and in good quality -- to follow each step. The book covers how to avoid common tile problems, such as warping. Pozo's techniques are not always dependent on having lots of equipment to make tiles. She shows how to make tiles using a rolling pin, as well as on a slab roller. Bullnose tile can be made with an extruder or by bending the clay over wood forms. Pozo also describes mosaic installation, using a detailed numbering system. If you are interested in making and installing tile, Pozo's book is a place to start.

Great resource book
I'm making a large wall mural and needed advice on hanging the mural. This book gave me the answer. Lots of ideas to stimulate your creativity

Informational and Inspirational
I had so many "Aha!" moments reading this book. I bought this book because I was interested in possibly making small wall art objects. After reading it I realized I was limiting myself greatly. I am now exploring all the ideas in the book. Great fun to read and well worth the money!

Tiles
I have always intended to create a patio wall, tiled and designed by myself...with additional help from my husband.This book is going to be a fantastic resource for this project.Excellent pictures and written directions make this book perfect for inspiration and learning the technique of tiling.I appreciate the fact that this book does not get too caught up in the technicalities of tile making, but rather simplifies the process.

artist as artisan
The essential basics of preparing very low fire raw manufactured moist clay into a tileand the absolute basics of glaze/ slipdecoration styles, with a few projects to illustrate potential in the above . The author then goes on todescribe simple framing, hanging, mounting projects. In a short time the author wants to quickly transition you from a visual artist into a sculptural artisan. She certainly knows her onions, andthe book is aiming at beingconcise ,which this is.It has led me -a traditional potter into successfullyfabricating my own tile.I can't believe the quality of color photos can be bought in a quality bound hardcover at this price. Shegets my vote in having the text descriptions of each process accompanied with the photos of same on the same page.

My feeling is while good,it is too narrow a course in decorating and glaze treatment to be my sole guide onthe making and decoration of handmade tile,but its the beginning of a beautiful relationship. ... Read more

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Product Description
This practical and supremely useful manual is the first comprehensive, hands-on introduction to Japanese ceramics. The Japanese ceramics tradition is without compare in its technical and stylistic diversity, its expressive content, and the level of appreciation it enjoys, both in Japan and around the world.Inside Japanese Ceramicsfocuses on tools, materials, and procedures, and how all of these have influenced the way traditional Japanese ceramics look and feel. A true primer, it concentrates on the basics: setting up a workshop, pot-forming techniques, decoration, glazes, and kilns and firing. It introduces the major methods and styles that are taught in most Japanese workshops, including several representative and well-known wares: Bizen, Mino, Karatsu, Hagi, and Kyoto.

While presenting the time-tested techniques of the tradition, author Richard L. Wilson also accommodates modern technologies and materials as appropriate. Wilson has gathered a wealth of information on two fronts—as a researcher of Japanese pottery and art history, and as a potter who has studied and worked for years with master Japanese potters. In his introduction, he provides a short history of Japanese ceramics, and in closing he looks beyond traditional methods toward ways in which Western potters can make Japanese methods their own. Richly illustrated with 24 color plates, over 100 black-and-white photographs, and over 70 instructive line-drawings,Inside Japanese Ceramicsis indispensable for potters as well as connoisseurs and collectors of Japanese ceramics. Above all, it is an invitation to participate—to study, make, touch, and use the exquisite products of the Japanese ceramic tradition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Intermediate level introduction
Although a textbook for ceramist, it is a stimulating reading for people with a general interest in ceramics.

I found the book fascinating.The book provides an introduction to the techniques of japanese wood fired ceramics, its history and context. The book has plenty of well chosen ilustrations along with the well thought out, enjoyable writing.

Inside Japanese Ceramics
I am a pottery instructor and over the years continually have Jananese students.Japanese pottery in always as Function as it is Decorative. This book is a wonderful tool in helping me to explain tecniques to my students.
(Especailly when they don't speak much English)As the old saying goes a picture is worth a thousand words.The step by step pictoral instructions are so helpful.
If you are interested in Japanese pottery this is a must have book.

A Great Intro to Yakimono
This book may look like a quick , light read, but it is a great introduction to Japanese wood fired ceramics (yakimono).A good amount of illustrations help to guide you along with the well thought out, enjoyable writing.A good addition to the academic library and a nice resource for artists as well.

An essential guide for the potter or the collector.
This volume presents not only the "how-to" of Japanese ceramics, but broader considerations of their significance within the context of world ceramics.Richard Wilson has not only trained extensively withJapanese potters, but is also thoroughly familiar with the many historicalceramic types which form the tradition which continues today. Virtually no art potters today remain unaffected by the tremendous impactof Japanese ceramics, and Wilson's book provides the contemporary ceramistwith a reference that is at once useful and inspiring.The text is clearand straightforward in the explanatory sections while at the same timeconveying to the reader the fascinating historical and cultural context onwhich the many techniques are based.The color illustrations are firstclass, and the technical photographs, illustrations and diagrams are clear,easy to read and appropriately placed. As in his earlier volume, TheArt of Ogata Kenzan, Wilson has taken great pains to ensure that hisinformation is both accurate and as complete as possible.Eschewing pasttendencies of Western ceramists to mainly focus either on the externals ofJapanese pots or on a touchy-feely, pseudo-philosophical/religous approach,Wilson sees the essence of Japanese ceramics as intrinsically linked toproduction process and functionality.As he summarizes, "(TheJapanese ceramics legacy) suggests... renouncing artistic individualism...and rededicating oneself to personal discipline and harmony with materials,processes, and the user community.It implies thinking about the pots aspart of an ongoing process, a relaxed conversation with the world, ratherthan as a kind of personal decree." Through this book, RichardWilson has provided a great volume of reference not only for those who"do" ceramics, but for those who love ceramics as well. ... Read more

Product Description
Renowned ceramic artist Karen Karnes has created some of the most iconic pottery of the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. The body of work she has produced in her more than sixty years in the studio is remarkable for its depth, personal voice, and consistent innovation. Many of her pieces defy category, invoking body and landscape, pottery and sculpture, male and female, hand and eye.

Equally compelling are Karnes's experiences in some of the most significant cultural settings of her generation: from the worker-owned cooperative housing of her childhood, to Brooklyn College under modernist Serge Chermayeff, to North Carolina's avant-garde Black Mountain College, to the Gate Hill Cooperative in Stony Point, New York, which Karnes helped establish as an experiment in integrating art, life, family, and community.

This book, designed to accompany an exhibit of Karnes's works organized by Peter Held, curator of ceramics for the Arizona State University Art Museum's Ceramic Research Center, offers a comprehensive look at the life and work of Karnes. Edited by highly regarded studio potter Mark Shapiro, it combines essays by leading critics and scholars with color reproductions of more than sixty of her works, providing new perspectives for understanding the achievements of this extraordinary artist. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (21)

Great Image Transfer Book
This is a great informative book on how to transfer images from linoleum blocks, screenprints, decals - to clay. The detailed pictures show you step by step how to do each process. I would highly recommend this book.

clear instructions
This book covers a range of simple print techniques in a clearly described and illustrated way.

Image Transfer on Clay
Inside you'll find quite a few different methods for transferring images onto the clay surface.All of the suggestions are accompanied by pictures and photos.I would highly recommend this book if you're interested in experimenting and exploring new techniques.If you're looking for specific advice on a certain kind of image transfer this may or may not be the book.Some of the more basic methods are explained really well.If you're looking to learn to silkscreen, you're going to need some additional information.If you want to experiment with decals, this is a great intro.Overall, I've found myself referencing this book on a number of occasions.

Image Transfer on Clay
Image transfer on Clay is so informative, but I did find it a little difficult to understand, even though I've been in ceramics for some time. I think it would better suit someone who has advanced knowledge in ceramics or some knowledge of screen printing processes.

Disappointingly Short Book
I checked out this book to find out more techniques for transferring images to my pots. The areas covered were fine, but there are more ways to transfer images to pots that are left out. Specifically, I wanted information on making transferware. The book also does not include much information about the types of slips that can be used. I'd rather have recipes for slips than the Orton cone chart that was included. ... Read more

Product Description
This book is split into three main sections: Decorating Ceramics; Decorating Tiles; and Ceramic Mosaic. Each section begins by listing the very simple materials and equipment needed, as well as a step-by-step instructions to all the basic techniques. Templates for all designs featured in this book are included at the back of the book, which can either be copied as they are, or used as a starting point for your own designs. ... Read more

Product Description

From firing to finishing, this is the definitive reference on raku. Ceramists will be informed and inspired by this newly updated, technique-based book with how-to photos and text. It covers such topics as types of clay, forming techniques, firing, glazes, decoration, and kilns and kiln construction. Mastering Raku also includes a gallery of works from around the world along with updated clay and glaze recipes.

Customer Reviews (4)

comprehensive
Steven Branfman's Mastering Raku is a comprehensive overview of the Raku process. An enjoyable read from start to finish. The book covers everything from kiln construction, glazes,health and safety, and a wonderful section teaching Raku. Beautiful color photographs of Raku work throughout the book provide inspiration for anyone interested in the Raku process. A most have for anyone interested in this expressive firing process!

The Raku Potter's Dream Book
The author put together a combination of ideas and photos with the work of raku potters from around to world. Then complemented that with an explanation of how to achieve those results. I thought other raku books were great but this one takes you over the top with it's insight and inspiration. I also like the fact that he included some other low-fire techniques like pit firing and saggar firing.There is a list of glaze recipes and step by step instruction on building a raku kiln. To me this is an awesome book.

Mastering Raku
Mastering Raku by Steven Branfman is a book written by a true expert in the field of ceramics. More importantly his informal writting style covers the topic of Raku in excellent detail. This technical packed text covers Raku glazes, clay body's, kilns, safety consideration along with supplying clay body and glaze formulas. The photos of Raku pottery are excellent showing many Raku artists pottery in great detail. Other photos reveal the actual firing process and glaze effects. Students new to Raku can read the book and can feel competent when starting to make their own pots. Steven truely is a great teacher and reading this book is almost like being in his class. It is a rare text that will offer useful information to beginning as well as advanced students and professional potters.

The history of Raku was the first time I encounted a complete account of how Raku came into existance. I found this part of the book was worth the price alone. Steven also explains and corrects several myths about Raku that I will let future readers find and enjoy for themselves. While there are other books on Raku this one covers all aspects of this fast firing technique. Steven has written the dfinitive text on this topic.

Jeff Zamek, Ceramics Consulting Services

HOT stuff!
WOW!This is a GREAT book for the new or even experienced raku fan.It is the most comprehensive book that I know of and is destined to be the new raku "bible".It includes everything you could possibly want to know from basic firing techniques to alternative styles such as Naked Raku.It also has sections on safety and even building your own kiln.I have been doing clay/raku for 35 years and I still found it to have a ton of useful information in it.Oh, and it also has a bunch of recipes for slips, glazes, etc. so with this book in hand you are good to do just about anything! ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (8)

Glazes 101
I've been in pottery about 1 1/2 yrs and was ready to start learning about glazes - how they work, which ingredients have which function, how to make glazes, which work best for what purpose, etc.This book has it all.

Awesome book!
The BEST book a beginner can get on glazing. Explains alot of the chemicals used in glazes and breaks it down for you (what they do etc). I would get this book before you get other glaze books.

the ceramic glaze handbook
Very informative for beginner even. Well explained and pleasant to read. Like it very much.

Only 1 remaining error on page 118
When I ordered the book, there was no reader's reviews. All three reviews appeared the next day after I ordered the book. I would not have purchased it if I had read those reviews. However, when the book arrived, I checked it against the corrections [website] and found that all but one error have been corrected (foot note for middle picture on page 118). There is no indication that the book in my hands is a second printing.

This book is well illustrated and extremely well organized for easy comprehension. The pictures of the test tiles for major colorants laid out in a modified 2 x Y factorial design is extremely informative.The format of having one illustration by each formula is the most inspiring and useful way of presenting the formulae. Get this book and Hopper's the Ceramic Spectrum if you want to start formulating your own glazes.

The Ceramic Glaze Handbook
Our ceramics instructor and I (perennial student) found this book in a local library and our class loves it.We participate in a potter's guild situation, not an academic fine arts class, so the clear explanations in this book by Burleson help cut through the haze of what glazes are made of, how to take care of them, and how to experiment with them.We can't wait to get started. ... Read more