- Hardcover: 160 pages
- Publisher: Lark Books,U.S.; illustrated edition edition (13 Nov 1997)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1887374299
- ISBN-13: 978-1887374293
- Product Dimensions: 27.9 x 21.8 x 1.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,031,396 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Description
Review
"For both inspiration and instruction, this is an extremely valuable resource, yet it is still beautiful to enhance any coffee table." Clay Times."
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
Product Description
Aimed at beginners, this is an illustrated guide to all aspects of clay and ceramic work which do not require a potter's wheel. It includes information on all the major handbuilding techniques and features the work of leading practitioners.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Be cautious of the previous 4 reviews by "a reader". See if you agree with me that they appear to have been written by the same person. The book is American, and no effort appears to have been made to check relevance for the UK. See the appendices of "Raku: A Practical Approach by Steven Branfman" for an example of how this should be done (UK equivalents for all raw materials carefully researched.) You may need that book or something similar if you are going to attempt to replicate any of this book's glaze recipes with raw materials from a UK supplier. Firing temperatures are all given in cones, which if you don't use them, means you'll be flipping to the back of the book all the time for the chart; where temperatures are given they're in Farenheit first; and fibre blanket is described as "space age ceramic fibre"! A number of little things like this build up to make the text read a bit like a pottery book written in the 1970s. I have several of such, and of course the basic techniques of handbuilding are much the same as those then. It did at times make me ask "do we need another book on handbuilding?"
Then there's the common one for very many pottery books recently produced - trying too had to please the publisher. The early chapters are not about handbuilding, they're about basic pottery, types of clay, glazing, firing etc. Nothing wrong with it, but be aware that it is the same stuff as you'll already have if you have any basic pottery "How to do it" book. The middle section is better, it is about handbuilding, and the "projects" described in step by step detail will be useful to anyone improving their work. (Even so, not every "step" is illustrated, which was an opportunity missed.) Then the book leaps to chapters on taking commissions for installations in public buildings. Frankly rather bizarre, because if you're an artist working at that level, you won't need the rest of the book, and if you need the rest of the book, your thumb pots are probably still some way short of the international acclaim they deserve.
Why do I give it 4 stars anyway? Because the text is adequate, the photography is excellent, I'm resisting the temptation to "mark it down" in response to the 5 star reviews which I don't trust, and because the current price is really fantastic for a glossy pottery book. What about those pictures then? I'd have liked more detail about the decoration, but there is a great range particularly of semi-figurative constructions. Well photographed and lots of them. At this price certainly worth buying to browse through as a catalogue of inspiration.
Then there's the common one for very many pottery books recently produced - trying too had to please the publisher. The early chapters are not about handbuilding, they're about basic pottery, types of clay, glazing, firing etc. Nothing wrong with it, but be aware that it is the same stuff as you'll already have if you have any basic pottery "How to do it" book. The middle section is better, it is about handbuilding, and the "projects" described in step by step detail will be useful to anyone improving their work. (Even so, not every "step" is illustrated, which was an opportunity missed.) Then the book leaps to chapters on taking commissions for installations in public buildings. Frankly rather bizarre, because if you're an artist working at that level, you won't need the rest of the book, and if you need the rest of the book, your thumb pots are probably still some way short of the international acclaim they deserve.
Why do I give it 4 stars anyway? Because the text is adequate, the photography is excellent, I'm resisting the temptation to "mark it down" in response to the 5 star reviews which I don't trust, and because the current price is really fantastic for a glossy pottery book. What about those pictures then? I'd have liked more detail about the decoration, but there is a great range particularly of semi-figurative constructions. Well photographed and lots of them. At this price certainly worth buying to browse through as a catalogue of inspiration.
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book is actually three books in one. First, it contains a large collection (310 images) of beautiful color plates showing a huge variety of ceramic work in a wide variety of styles that is nothing short of inspirational. This alone is worth the price of the book. It is the equal of any museum exhibition or juried ceramics show book I've seen. Secondly, it is an excellent basic-through-advanced 'encyclopedia' of handbuilt terms, techniques and materials written in a clear, unambiguous style with carefully photographed examples that clearly illustrate the topic being discussed. The text and photos combine to make this book an absolute pleasure to read. You never have to scratch your head and wonder if you understand -- everything is clearly and perfectly explained. And finally, the book contains a series of eight projects which serve to thoroughly introduce the basics of handbuilding with clear, 'how-to' photographs accompanying the text which serve to demonstrate exactly what is being talked about. There is also a materials list and a step-by-step discussion of problems, pitfalls, and the techniques involved. This book would be a bargain at three times the price.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book has many new ideas and projects using timeless techniques of coiling, pinching and extruding. This book is so popular with my students that it has indefinitely dissappeared from my studio! I now have two books and may purchase a third.!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Inspiring and practical
As always Lark books are very nicely put together. There are a few parts that I didnt find useful, but on the whole I would recommend this to anyone who isnt just interested in... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Kate Whalley
Practical, inspirational and beautiful
This is a really excellent book for all potters. There are excellent illustrations in colour throughout, clear indications of building techniques and practical projects to... Read more
Published on 14 Feb 1999
Excellent phtographs and detailed instructions.
This is one of the best instructional books I have purchased on handbuilt pottery techniques. It contains beautiful color photographs and excellent detailed instructions for... Read more
Published on 13 July 1998
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