Beginner's Guide to Pottery and Ceramics: Everything You Need to Know to Start Making Beautiful Ceramics

by Jacqui Atkin

Clay is an exciting material that has been used to make both practical and decorative items since prehistoric times. With this practical guidebook, learn all the skills you need to start creating your own beautiful ceramics.
Step-by-step photographs and clear instructions will guide you through the core techniques, including pinching and coiling and throwing and trimming. Discover inspirational projects as your skills progress, from simple coiled vases with painted decoration to marbled clay boxes with transparent glazes. Learn how to decorate and fire your clay vessels with myriad textures, using methods such as inlays, slips, sgraffito, feathering, burnishing and resist.
Following the impressive projects inside, you can put your new-found skills into practice and develop your creativity.

Genres: Art

128 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2005

Reviews

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this book covers a lot, it doesn’t say much about each thing. The finished product images are also all separated from the process images, so it can feel a bit disjointed as well.

I did like that they covered slabs, pinch pots, and other methods besides just use of a wheel, but again - these weren’t covered in enough depth for me to feel confident making a mold without finding other sources first.

I wouldn’t say this one is super beginner/newbie friendly, but it definitely shows what’s possible, even if it’s all a bit dated as far as style goes.

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Doesn't do a good job of describing centering or how it can go wrong or how to fix it if it does go wrong.


Also pulling a handle isn't its own described section, you have to wait til page 86 and it's within another project not labelled, needs better organization.

Minimal to no practical glazing 101, only decorative ideas. Needs to explain how and why glaze firing works better

[Zahida Zahoor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some useful tips and ideas for pottery for a beginner. However, some of the pottery ideas not very inspiring and seem out of date now.

[Ang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book with lots of helpful hints and tips. Colourful examples from creating to decorating.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great beginners book that I still refer back to for ideas and tips after many years. I borrowed this from the library until I finally bought my own copy to add to my bookshelf permanently.