Ceramics Books - Page 4

Make It in Clay: A Beginner's Guide to Ceramics

Charlotte F. Speight, John Toki

List Price: $24.95 By: Mayfield Publishing Company Amazon Marketplace: 1 new & used starting at $34.50

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

A Complete Beginner's Guide for Working with Clay 5 out of 5 stars.
20 of 21 people found this review helpful.

When your professor comes over the first day of class and leafs through your brand new book and says, "Where did you get this...it's a great introduction to this class!" then proceeds to tell you he knows some of the potters and works pictured...you know it's a GREAT book. From learning where clay comes from and the techniques from pinching and coiling to the wheel and sculpture, I found great tips and photos to help me along and inspire my "creations." Then came texturing, coloring and glazing and firing techniques. I've actually bought the book as a gift for Mr. Pace (from amazon.com, naturally) and his future students because I found it SO helpful.

Editorial Review:

An excellent introductory guide to creating clay In this practical introductory guide, more than 250 illustrations show rather than tell beginners how to turn a lump of clay into the work they envision. Readers will find descriptions of basic tools, materials, and techniques, inspiring color examples of artists' creations, safety tips, and a glossary. Each chapter also includes creative exercises and room for notes or sketches.

Electric Kiln Ceramics: A Guide to Clays and Glazes

Richard Zakin

Amazon Price: $29.69 List Price: $44.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Krause Publications Amazon Marketplace: 27 new & used starting at $28.00

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 10 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Outstanding info, but a tedious read 4 out of 5 stars.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful.

Contains a wealth of detailed info about electric kiln construction and usage, and about how to mix and use clays and glazes. The editor should have done a better job, because the wording is sometimes awkward and tedious, but it's still a good reference book containing very valuable information. Also has many excellent photos of finished work, as well as side essays about individual ceramists.

Editorial Review:

Ceramists choosing to work in home studios are praising the safety, convenience and economical benefits of the electric kiln. Now in its third edition, Electric Kiln Ceramics helps the ceramist create work exclusively intended for firing in the electric kiln. This valuable guide is an exhaustive review of clays, glazes and techniques designed to benefit the seasoned professional, as well as the less technically educated beginner. Renowned ceramist and respected author, Richard Zakin provides information on kiln construction, routine maintenance, loading and firing, the influence of firing temperatures and the application of oxidation surfaces. State-of-the-art health and safety concerns are also addressed, including the kiln atmosphere and the strengths and weaknesses of the oxidation atmosphere. Recipes for commercial and homemade clays and glazes guarantee successful results.

The Craft and Art of Clay

Susan Peterson

Amazon Price: $40.95 List Price: $65.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Overlook Hardcover Amazon Marketplace: 33 new & used starting at $36.96

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 9 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Very Comprehensive Survey of Ceramics Techniques & Materials 5 out of 5 stars.
18 of 18 people found this review helpful.

This is a large book chock full of information, and provides an in-depth survey of ceramics. There are many photographs about techniques and many illustrations of beautiful artistic ceramics pieces. Also it contains lots of technical information, tables, etc.

Since other reviews have covered the merits of this book quite well, I'll mention a few issues:

First, there are lots of sample photos of different clay bodies under different firings and different glaze colors and combinations, etc., but they are all *way too small* to really see the characteristics of each sample. Also sometimes there is a series of photos, e.g. throwing a pot, building a kiln, and when they are all arranged on the page, each one is too small (and many are b&w, from previous editions?) Otherwise the book is very well illustrated with a wide variety of work.

The glaze discussion does not cover the properties of glaze bases and coloring oxides much at all, which is something I would expect in a book of this comprehensiveness. It does spent some time on commercial fritted stains and Mayco glazes, which other books don't, and can be useful to some, especially for low-temp work. But if you really want to get into glazes, this is not the book.

For many advanced topics, she has just a mention that leaves me hungry for more. E.g. lusters she briefly mentions using and making, but Rhodes has a much more thorough discussion of making lusters. Paperclay is mentioned briefly but not enough to really tell me how to make it or use it. For many of the topics in the book, more detailed discussions are possible and likely available elsewhere. However she has assembled lots of brief mentions of different and experimental work that you might not encounter in other ceramics survey books, so it is useful for knowing what else I want to look into.

[This review pertains to the 4th edition, 2003.]

Editorial Review:

The Craft and Art of Clay, by leading ceramics teacher Susan Peterson, is the most comprehensive available guide to modern ceramics, packed with step-by-step illustrations of ceramic techniques to guide the beginner as well as inspirational ceramic pieces from contemporary potters from around the world. This completely revised fourth edition contains more than 150 new illustrations and includes profiles of key ceramists who have influenced the field, new material on marketing ceramics on the internet, and added coverage of paperclays, using gold, and alternative glazes. This is the one book no ceramist, whether novice or expert, can do without.

Southwestern Pottery: Anasazi to Zuni

Allan Hayes

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 13 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

A Great Place to Start 5 out of 5 stars.
10 of 10 people found this review helpful.

This is an excellent book for both the beginner or serious student of Southwestern Pottery. It gives examples of all styles, types, and designs, making it easy for anyone to understand what makes each Pueblo's pottery unique. Perhaps not as "in depth" as some others, this book is easily the best book out there today as far as explaining and illustrating the basics. It really is an indispensable guide and reference book. The authors are regular guys rather than scholars, so it is easy and enjoyable to read, and filled with great photos of their quite amazing collections. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a place to begin learning about Southwestern Pottery.

Excellent overview of every pueblo's pottery 5 out of 5 stars.
7 of 7 people found this review helpful.

I'd been looking for a book like this for ages. It goes through every pueblo's pottery, describing the special characteristics of each, and talks about the important potters in each pueblo.

This is very well written in an easy going, non-snobish style, instantly increasing your depth of knowledge in southwestern pottery. The photographs are excellent and plentiful, giving many diverse examples from each pueblo/region/era.

Highly recommended for those new to collecting. I gave a copy to my parents in New Mexico, and even though they had been doing a bit of collecting for years, they have a much better understanding of the history of some of the pottery sitting on their shelves. They love this book.

Editorial Review:

An art book, a history book, and a reference book showcasing more than 1,100 pots. There isn't a more complete southwestern pottery guide.

The Kiln Book, Materials, Specifications and Construction

Frederick Olsen

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 10 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

OUTSTANDING 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Between this book and Kiln Construction by Joe Finch you can build a very succesful pottery kiln. The information within is nothing less than outstanding in understanding the various kiln options being used around the world. This is a must have book for those with an interest in kilns or in building their own pottery kiln.

Editorial Review:

This updated third edition is the definitive guide on kiln design and construction for artisans and artists worldwide.

Author Frederick Olsen draws on 40+ years of experience to offer complete plans and instructions for building kilns of all sizes and purposes.

Includes principles for the design of highly efficient kilns, newly available refractory materials, building methods, flue types and construction, curved and common walls, bricklaying courses and arches. Updates include construction techniques, new kiln designs, as well as new safety equipment.

Hundreds of photos and illustrations detail design and construction of all types of kilns.
Advice on building materials and methods.
Indispensable information for all ceramists.

Electric Firing: Creative Techniques

Edited by Anderson Turner

Amazon Price: $21.56 List Price: $29.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: American Ceramic Society Amazon Marketplace: 9 new & used starting at $21.56

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Editorial Review:

Electric kilns are a wonderful thing! They're so readily available and simple to install that any artist can take advantage of the incredible potential this tool has to offer. Nearly every ceramic artist now uses one in some capacity in their studio because electric firing offers a control and dependability not found with any other type of firing.

As the popularity of electric kilns has increased over the past few decades, manufacturers and suppliers made this tool even more versatile. Advances in controllers, energy efficiency, materials and safety make it possible for studio potters to take advantage of this tool for relatively little investment.

In Electric Firing: Creative Techniques you'll discover the contributions of studio artists who use electric kilns. They eagerly share the results of their experiments, their research and their artistic successes. Build on what they've learned through the up-to-date information on processes, glazes, tools, materials and techniques they provide.

At one time you could make Low-Fire Electric Reds by mixing your own. David Gamble explores the new types of commercially-available reds that will add zing to your work.

Gail Kendall demonstrates her step-by-step for decorating colorful work using a variety of methods in Low-Fire Surface Decoration.

DaNisha Sculpture is the collaboration of two talented artists, Nisha and Dan Ferguson. The electric kiln allowed them to concentrate on their elaborate forms and decoration.

Using the vessel for narrative storytelling inspires Jitka Palmer, who says she enjoys painting on curved surfaces because it makes the images more dramatic.

See examples of Using Colorful Underglazes in a variety of ways by top artists.

Each winter Kesl and Tilton collaborate on work and their story is intriguing. You'll get a rare look at a sustained involvement of a passionate team.

Scott Bennett finds inspiration in jewelry and explores what happens when you make brooches, pins and rings monumental in size.

V'Lou Oliveira uses commercial glazes for the brilliant colors that enhance her playful iconclastic approach to her work.

China Paint is at the lowest end of the temperature range in ceramics and Paul Lewing guides you through the basics to get you started.

Joan Takayama-Ogawa uses china paints to decorate her unusual teapots and constructions sometimes taking up to 9 firings to finish a piece.

Versatile Recipes for engobes, slips, glazes and self-glazing clays can add a lot of character to your work.

Looking at one of the most influential potters of all time, John McQuistion pays in his artistic work. Palissy would be amazed at the modern twist.

When it comes to Surface and Form Kelly King achieves a personal and contemporary sense of design sure to inspire you.

Faith Rahill shows you that Creating Neriage Blocks provide a great way to work three dimensionally with patterns and images.

Laura Kukkee reveals how her subtle change in a technique lead her to impressive results with her slip decorating.

Paul Wandless maintains that Testing Your Clay provides you with information you can observe, touch and feel firsthand in your own environment.

You can expand the capabilities of your electric kiln with gas by Building a Gas/Electric Kiln. It's all about hybrids now.

We live in an era of recycling so it makes sense to have a description for Converting an Electric Kiln for Wood or Gas Firing.

If you missed the lecture on kilns, you'll appreciate this refresher course on the Ten Basics of Firing.

And much much more!

McCoy Pottery: Collector's Reference & Value Guide Featuring the Top 100 Findables (Mccoy Pottery Collector's Reference and Value Guide)

Bob Hanson, Craig Nissen, Margaret Hanson

Amazon Price: $18.96 List Price: $24.95 In stock soon. Order now to get in line. First come, first served. By: Collector Books Amazon Marketplace: 25 new & used starting at $3.56

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 15 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Disorganized 4 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

While the book has beautiful photos, it is hard to use as a reference. Unless you know what the piece is exactly it is very difficult to locate in the book.

McCoy Pottery: Reference Guide 4 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

The book had the information that I was wanting and much more. I recommend this to anyone who is interesting in collecting pottery or who is interested in being able to recognize valuable pottery pieces for resale.

McDoy pottery 4 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

This book has many nicely done photos and includes brief information concerning the individual pieces. A good thumbnail guide to McCoy pottery. I would however recommend that you purchase volums #1 & 2, unless you are well versed in McCoy, before you buy this one. I am a beginner when it comes to McCoy and I was looking for more history then I found in this volume.

Editorial Review:

McCoy Pottery: Collector's Reference and Value Guide provides even the experienced McCoy pottery collector with new insights along with over 2,500 pieces featured in 590 beautiful color photographs. McCoy is probably the best known of all American potters due to the wide variety of pieces they produced since 1910--all captured here and given a price range based on today's volatile market.

Clay and Glazes for the Potter (Ceramics)

Daniel Rhodes

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 9 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Definitive reference book 5 out of 5 stars.
13 of 13 people found this review helpful.

Everything you ever wanted to know - and more - about clays and glazes. If you just want a quick introduction to the topic, you should skip this book. If you want a well-written, very thorough, and very clear explanation of basic ceramic principles, this is it. If you want to go even further, delving into the intricate complexities of specific clay and glaze formulations, that's all here too.

Editorial Review:

In some sections of the ceramics industry, more has developed in the last 45 years than in the previous 4,000. To address new information and possibilities presented by advances in the industry, noted ceramist, teacher, and author Robin Hopper has updated and simplified where necessary Daniel Rhodes’ seminal book on fundamentals of ceramic technology. This revised and expanded edition adheres closely to the editions published in 1957 and revised in 1973, with added sections devoted to health hazards and computer calculation programs and increased color information and expanded photographic images of both historical and contemporary work.

-250 color photos plus numerous illustrations and charts.
-New sections on health hazards, computer calculation programs.
-Expanded color information.

A Glaze of Color: Creating Color and Design on Ceramics

Jane Davies

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Jaded but inspired 5 out of 5 stars.
27 of 27 people found this review helpful.

Over the past couple of decades I have edited art instruction books too numerous to count, including this one. I've been indifferent about many I've worked on that've found success anyway and enthusiastic about others that haven't necessarily found favor in the marketplace. So my personal preferences certainly haven't made me an authority about public reception or perception (or sales figures).

I don't give praise lightly. But when I edit something that offers me truly useful and valuable information, that really makes me want to revisit my old practicing-artist self, I can't help but express my enthusiasm. And A Glaze of Color made me enthusiastic. It really inspired me to take up the craft of painting again, to just indulge myself in working with color again, no matter what the medium.

So, discount my positive prejudice here if you must, but next time you're in a book store searching for some kind of artistic inspiration, for yourself or for your kids or for anyone, please look for Jane Davies's book A Glaze of Color, even just to thumb through it.

(Hey, I'm a freelancer, so have no stake in encouraging profits for the publisher, author, or, least of all, myself.)

Editorial Review:

The development of paint-your-own ceramics studios, at which ready-made bisqueware and studio time for decorating it are sold, has made pottery decoration accessible to a wider public than ever before. Ceramics artist Jane Davies demonstrates how to decorate the surface of ready-made bisqueware and tiles using commercially produced decorating colors known as underglazes and other materials to create beautifully colored pieces. Practical step-by-step demonstrations of a variety of application methods-including brushing, shading, sponging, masking, sgrafitto, spattering, stamping, stenciling, marbling, majolica, and underglaze pencils-provide inspiration for decorating tiles, plates, cups, bowls, lamps, vases, and decorative platters. Davies also explores the creative possibilities of colored glazes, as well as decorating pieces after firing with acrylic paint and paper collage.

The Penland Book of Ceramics: Master Classes in Ceramic Techniques (A Lark Ceramics Book)

Lark Books

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

With classes in more than ten media, instruction by only the finest practitioners, and an atmosphere of friendly exchange between artists, Penland is the place for crafters to improve and broaden their skills. Here, ceramists will discover technical and inspirational resources from the masters that will carry their art to new levels. Each Penland professional represented specializes in a particular technique or method; photographs show them working, as well as feature their art. Expressly for this volume, they have written accompanying essays and chosen pieces by other artists to complement their own. Clara “Kitty” Couch fashions deeply glowing coil built vessels; Angela Pozo’s lively tiled mosaics shimmer with color; Michael Sherrill builds beautiful sculptural objects that hold layer upon layer of color as texture. There are others who do mold-making and slip casting; majolica; wheel-thrown forms; slab reliefs; and much more. This is one book that will never leave the studio!