Product Description

This definitive guide takes you through all the processes from clay to kiln: from designing your own pieces, to making, decorating and firing them. The book is clearly laid out and packed with factual information that creative ceramists will want to have to hand, including descriptions of the very latest materials, and instructions on how to use them effectively in your work. Step-by-step instructions for traditional methods and new products, such as paper-clay and print-on-clay, are combined with examples of work by some of the world's top ceramicists and details of how they achieve their results.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #59562 in Books
• Published on: 2003-02-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

About the Author
Steven Matheson has been a professional ceramic artist for nearly 20 years, specialising in wood-fired, salt-glazed and raku. Since the early 1980's he has been a teacher of art and design in several universities and colleges and the Budapest University of Arts and Crafts. He is the International Co-ordinator for the International Ceramic Studio in Kecskernet in Hungary and is one of the founders of the International Ceramics Festival in Wales, Europe's premier ceramics event. Steven's work is represented in many museums and private collections throughout Europe and the US and he has contributed to several magazines and books.

Customer Reviews

Mum's the word.
I bought this as a birthday present for my mother who has gone totally potty over pottery at the moment.

She's been attending night classes for a while so I didn't want to get her anything too basic, more something to inspire her own ventures.

I think what swung it for me were the photographs. This book is packed with ideas from total beginner to commercial expert, but the photographs are brilliant. They really get the imagination going and she didn't put it down for over a day.

A really good gift for anyone who is in to pottery, something that can always be referred to in the future.

Marion.

My ceramic bible!!
This book has an incredible amount of information ranging from tools, basic techniques to alternative firing and kilns. This book has been so helpful to me as a student focusing on experimental work and new methods of decorating and gets your imagination going and motivation to create a new piece day in day out. I would recommend this book to new students and professionals alike. It is so good my university tutor looked through it and bought one of her own!

Excellent potter's book
Here is a book that will not fail to satisfy. As a potter, I have read many books on the subject and if you only intend to buy one book on the subject, this would be a good one to buy.
It is beautifully presented, packed full of useful information and well illustrated with examples of work from some of the best in their field. It not only looks good, but it comes up with the goods. It is indeed a complete reference, a definitive guide taking you through all the processes from choosing clay to the finished product whether you wish to make pots by hand or throw them on a wheel. I believe beginners and experienced potters alike will find this mine of information of use. Learn how to pinch, coil and slab-build. See how to throw a teapot, how to create large structures and how to use or create moulds. Find out how to furnish a studio and what equipment to buy.
This easy to follow, how-to-guide covers many types of surface decoration techniques that are good to have on hand. The practical information is backed up by design ideas and inspiration. This beautiful and well-thought out book really is my favourite book on pottery. It is very favourably priced too.