Beginner S Guide To Pottery Ceramics

Originally published in 2005 as Pottery Basics.

This comprehensive guide covers the materials, tools, methods, and techniques for making original ceramic pieces in a wide range of forms. From hand sculpting to pinching, wheel throwing to slip casting, here you’ll ?nd easy-to-follow instructions accompanied by beautiful photographs to make the world of ceramics clear and exciting. Readers will also learn about glazes, ?ring techniques, decorating tips, and much more.

Discover how to develop your pottery design skills and bring your ideas to life from start to finish. Covering every technique from throwing pottery to firing, glazing to sgraffito, this pottery book is perfect for both hand-building beginners and potting pros. Step-by-step photographs - some from the potter's perspective - show you exactly where to place your hands when throwing so you can master every technique you need to know. Plus, expert tips help you rescue your pots when things go wrong. The next in the popular Artist's Techniques series, Complete Pottery is the ideal companion for pottery classes of any level, or a go-to guide and inspiration for the more experienced potter looking to expand their repertoire and perfect new skills. With contemporary design and ideas, Complete Pottery Techniques enables the modern maker to unleash their creativity.

The Beginner's Guide to Wheel Throwing is a friendly, contemporary take on the classic wheel-throwing book—perfect for new and returning ceramic artists.

Pottery has become increasingly popular, and beginners interested in taking up the hobby will find this all-inclusive guide to wheel-thrown pottery invaluable. Award-winning ceramist Stuart Carey outlines the steps and intricacies of the craft, from preparing your materials to firing your piece in a kiln. You'll work through techniques designed to help you gain a familiarity with the different characteristics of the clay, create classic forms, mix your own glazes, and master the skills needed to make your own beautiful pieces. Stunning visuals and instructive step-by-step photography offer abundant inspiration and valuable guidance, whether you're an absolute beginner or a practicing potter who has already logged hours at the studio.

Old, broken objects can become more beautiful than ever! The thought of throwing away a cherished dish or mug can be heartbreaking. If you've ever wanted to repair a treasured piece rather than tossing it in the trash--but didn't know how--the traditional Japanese art of Kintsugi ("gold repair") offers the perfect solution! A Beginner's Guide to Kintsugi teaches you the traditional Japanese techniques of pottery and glass repair based on the ancient Wabi Sabi idea that imperfections are beautiful, and visible repairs are part of the "life story" of an object. Author Michihiro Hori provides simple, safe, and inexpensive methods that you can do at home using tools and materials that are readily available online. Hori guides you through the entire process--from assembling and mixing the materials to reconstructing replacements for hopelessly shattered shards. With this book, you'll learn how to: Reinforce cracks, rebuild shattered areas, and apply the time-honored staple technique Fix broken handles so they are fully functional again Safely work with lacquer and metallic powders to achieve beautiful, visible repairs Work with a variety of repair materials from gold leaf to washi paper Repair pottery and glass using traditional techniques for stunning results As you take the time to prepare your materials and work closely with the pieces, you'll find yourself becoming attuned to the mindful philosophy at the heart of Kintsugi and the Wabi Sabi principle of appreciating old and imperfect objects. Most of all, the meditative process of Kintsugi will help you look at broken objects in a new way.

This book is a basic introduction to pottery. It covers everything the beginner needs to know to start making beautiful ceramics. Step-by-step photographs and clear instructionsguide you through the techniques for making, decorating, and firing pottery and twelve simple projects allow you to put your skills into practice. Chapters include an introduction to types of clay, basic modelling methods such as throwing, pinching, coiling and turning. Key techniques are taught for biscuit and glaze firing. Each progressive project develops a new skill, and then teaches you how to add texture and decorate your vessels using inlays, slips, sgraffito, feathering, burnishing and resist techniques.