Ceramics Books and Magazines

There is as the author shares, something so wonderful about working with clay and seeing something go from a slab of clay to something with form and then colour(s). And then seeing what we have created with our own hands grace our environment. Raw clay that takes form and now holds food, drink, flowers or air.


Not for the novice.   September 18, 2002
 15 out of 17 found this review helpful

The instructional format seems to assume that the reader is a novice in need of step by step instruction yet the glazes and techniques he describes seem appropriate for a person with years of experience and a fair amount of equipment. The novice could use pages of detail and hints on when and how to bisque-fire ware and a couple of dozen pages on the basics of commercial glazes.


Great introduction to a wide varitey of glazes   July 12, 2001
 47 out of 48 found this review helpful

Part of the terrific Ceramics Class series, this is a wonderful book for those just starting out using glazes. It packs a tremendous amount of information into a small book and is of immense help if you want to experiment with lots of different glaze types.

The book starts out with a great explanation of what glazes are made of and the coloring oxides used. Understanding and using formulas to make your own glaze recipes is next, along with glazing equipment and actual glaze preparation. Then working with commercial glazes and using a kiln is covered. Both gas and electric kilns are discussed as well as packing the kiln and the effects of temperature.

A variety of glazing methods complete the book, including dipping, pouring and using a brush or spray gun. The final chapters give lots of recipes and instructions for using a wide variety of glaze types including low/medium temp, high/very high temp, crystalline, raku, salt, ash, crackle, scotch topaz, celadon, and oxblood glazes. Using lusters and frit, as well as reduction and single firing are also covered here. A helpful glossary is included in the back.

This book presents a wealth of information in a logical and straightforward way. It truly tells you what you need to know. The multitude of color photos throughout, showing equipment, processes and beautiful finished pieces, are superb.


technical but uninspiring   February 13, 2001
 21 out of 22 found this review helpful

This book provides good information on glaze composition and firing, and has nice pictures, but there is little to help one explore techniques. The pictures show a variety of very interesting glazes, but rarely tell you how to make something like what you see, and sometimes don't even tell you what the glaze or glaze technique is. This was very frustrating, since I was hoping to get ideas from the book on what to try, but the techniques did not necessarily have pictures, and the pictures were rarely linked to the techniques.


CLOSE TO PERFECT   November 3, 2000
 10 out of 14 found this review helpful

I AM INTO POTTERY ONLY AS A HOBBY. BUT I DO IT NEARLY EVERYDAY NOW, AND ALSO I LIKE READING ABOUT POTTERY. IN POTTERY, TO MY BELIEF EVERYTHING DEPENDS ON THE GLAZE. IF THE GLAZE IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH, OR YOU CAN'T APPLY THE GLAZE PROPERLY YOU WILL NEVER ACHIEVE A GOOD FINISH.

I FOUND THIS BOOK VERY HELPFUL CONCERNING TECHNIQUES. IT ALSO GAVE ME MANY IDEAS. I THOUGHT THE LANGUAGE USED WAS SIMPLE ENOUGH TO FOLLOW, WHICH WAS A BIG PLUS.

ACCORDING TO ME ART OR DECORATION BOOKS, MAGAZINES ETC. SHOULD ALL HAVE MANY, COLOURFUL PICTURES. I THINK THAT THIS DISTINGUISHES ART BOOKS FROM NOVELS.

GLAZING TECHNIQUES CONATINED SUFFICIENT PICTURES, AND THE LANGUAGE OF THE BOOK LEFT NOTHING ELSE FOR IMAGINATION BUT I CAN NEVER HAVE ENOUGH OF PICTURES.

SO IN SHORT I THINK THIS BOOK IS CLOSE TO PERFECT AND IT HAS ITS PLACE AMONG MY FAVOURITES IN MY BOOKCASE.