Amazing Glaze: Techniques, Recipes, Finishing, and Firing

by Gabriel Kline

In Amazing Glaze, you will learn to love glazing with a variety of techniques, sure-fire recipes, and inspiring work from some of today's top ceramic artists. 

Whether you look forward to glazing your work or are guilty of saying "I hate glazing!" Amazing Glaze is for you. Join author and Odyssey Clayworks founder Gabriel Kline on a journey that makes glazing less intimidating and more fun. Start in the "glaze kitchen" where you'll set yourself up for success, then move on to learning the tools and techniques for glazing right every time. Along the way, Gabriel shares dozens of tried-and-true recipes and combinations for both mid-range and high-fire.

The recipes and the foundational techniques here are just the beginning. Learn about layering with slip and underglaze, work with resists, and combine techniques to take your glazing above and beyond. Whether you're after crystalline effects, an elusive red, or a crash-course in applying luster, it's all here. A variety of artist features and stunning gallery work from today's top artists will leave you inspired and ready to get glazing!

Genres: Nonfiction, Crafts, Art

176 pages, Hardcover

Published December 18, 2018

Reviews

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have both the digital edition 'Amazing glaze' and the dutch book 'de Glazuurgids.' If only I knew! The titles are totally different, the book cover is totally different and now I have 2 editions. But that's ok because I will probably use it a lot.

This book covers the whole process of glazing, it goes in depth about temperatures and, perfect for newbie's, all the errors you can have. Glaze with cracks, needles, too runny... they discuss how you can solve these issues. A lot of techniques are included on how to glaze a piece. The book doesn't discuss the glaze recipes into depth, don't expect any chemistry but I know this would scare me if I'm new to glazing. After reading this book, you can go into more depth with other glaze books (like mastering cone 6, or the books by John Britt).

The book is very motivating and offers free recipes too. I will update this review once I've tried some of the recipes.

When it comes to the Dutch book, there are a few things I want to point out:
- The typical things used in USA are not translated for Europe. For example cones, are not translated to C degrees - you will need translate the cone to degrees to know at what temperature you need to fire the glaze.
- The recipes have silicium in 325 mesh... I had to google what that means. (For those who want to know: A count of the number of strands per inch in a screen that is used to grade the particle size of the material. - in that case you need to translate inches to cm. Confused? I know I am.)
- Also some ingredients are hard to find in West-Europe.
- References are mostly focused on The Netherlands, less on Belgium.

So while this book is a perfect firestarter (see what I did there?) for ceramic newbie's, for Europeans it will probably need some extra research to fully understand everything. I think it will be very useful to keep a notebook aside this book to translate things to the European way of firing.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learned a lot and helped me put together a plan for my upcoming pottery class.

[Anniek · Rating 3 out of 5]

In de nederlandse vertaling is er spijtig genoeg geen aanpassing van de glazuurgrondstoffen naar de Europese context. Sommige werkstoffen zijn universeel, maar andere zijn specifiek Amerikaans.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has inspired me!

A few years ago my husband built me an electric adjustable speed throwing wheel. I threw several pieces, but then stopped, because I didn't know enough about glazes or firing. I feel like this book has definitely helped prepare to get back into this passion of mine.

Kline does a nice job of separating topics into chapters. He does not mix topics together or bounce from one topic to another and back again. He has included photographs to show types of pottery, glazes, and methods of firing. The way in which he has demonstrated the work seems to make it seem like something any artist is capable of doing. I especially appreciate that he includes recipes for different glaze colors and also a picture of a piece of fired pottery in that color.

I would recommend this book. 5/5!

[Ren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I'd had this book when I was taking pottery classes at my local guild. Kline covers the tools needed for your studio and how to mix glazes then gets into the fun part - planning and creating the look you really want on your pottery. As I learned in my beginner classes, glazing can sometimes result in surprises. Happy accidents also occur. I loved all the photos included and the wiring style this not only informative, but a fun read. I'll definitely be referring back to this book if I go back to the pottery guild.

Thank you to Quarto Group and Edelweiss for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Mindy Pickens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a helpful book. I had been so frustrated by the lack of detailed information in the community studios I have practiced in, and this helped me so much. I have glaze materials now and a systematic way to get started testing. It's approachable and a fantastic introduction to glaze.

[pearliepearl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good concise knowledge base of glazes, chemistry, techniques for cone 6 and 10. Good pictures. Not too, too many. Great reference for all potters, particularly those new to glazing.

[Tina Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

An informative and inspirational book! I loved the author's way of encouraging the artistry of glazing as I need to rethink glazing as a chore or add-on to the process of pottery.

[Jomar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

Easy to read and understand! Full of great tips! Very to the point filled with great images of beautiful works.

[Beatrice · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much information and so valuable!

[Sara Crocker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is generous AF.

[Nancy Jana Kent · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Ipanema Green cone 10 glaze recipe base ingredients add up to 98.5%. Not 100%. Hmmm

[Mary Foxe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skimmed.

[ngọc · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-rounded introduction to glaze.

[J Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is really just an overview of different approaches to glazing with some beautiful photos. For a detailed description, some other source will be needed.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

who wants to buy my pottery :) lol

[Janet Frost · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was really just a different edition of his other book.

[Maurren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Useful info on all color application from slip to underglaze to glazing. Can use underglaze over glaze…

[Rachel Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book so much! It has been such a huge help. Very informative. The layout is well designed. The glaze recipes are divine. A wonderful book.

[Leyla Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started to dabble with clay back in the '70 and when on to do some units in university. My favorite part was always the glazing, whilst I remember holding you breathe when the test glaze came out of the kiln, the weighing, mixing and applying always held a type of magic - that one could achieve so much with a hand full of chemicals
This book is really amazing, it explains all the in and out of glazing, all the preparation work, all the how and why, and all in a very easy to read and understand way. All demonstrated with absolutely fabulous photos and galleries.
My text books of old were drab, dry to read and in black and white, this book is modern, it covers everything and it even has some recipes to try with colour examples, and other examples to drool over.
If you are starting pottery or want to extend your knowledge base this is a must book to have.

[Kira Curtis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been trying out a lot of new crafts lately and one of them is making bowls and things out of clay and find ways to decorate them. This book was a really interesting read as an addition to the crafting I've been doing. At first it was a little overwhelming as I guess I was expecting a little easy how to do things kind of book but they really go in to detail about the work and chemistry that goes into the different types of glaze and all the different techniques. I never knew it was so complicated, yet I once you've got a grip of it, I suppose it is easy, especially when using a book like this. This is the perfect book if your starting to think about taking pottery serious and perhaps wanting to sell some items. The designs shown throughout the book are beautiful, I just hope one day I might be able to make something similar.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

For beginners or advanced artists, this book will not disappoint any artist. The author provides the ratio of elements to create the amazing and luxurious glaze supported by the results in pictures.

#AmazingGlaze #NetGalley

[Alisa Moore]

I went to Blick Art Store in hopes of finding an introductory book on ceramic's glazing techniques, and what a jewel "Amazing Glaze" has proven to be. It's just perfect for a beginner like me, breaking down techniques and processes in an understandable and beautifully illustrated way. Because of this book, I had beautiful results with my first pieces, which included a bird bath, bird house, vase, and bowl. I keep going back to Amazing Glaze just to enjoy the beautiful illustrations which start with the textured cover, and continue to inspire. Although I don't have a need to make my own glazes or know much about firing (as I take classes at Studio One Art Center in Oakland), the book also includes extensive recipes for creating luscious colored glazes and firing techniques for more advanced ceramicists.