A highly illustrated step-by-step guide to designing and making contemporary tableware in clay, featuring inspirational pieces by leading designers.
'This book is a go to book for the art of creating tableware... The level of experience between the pages of this book from Sue and Linda is unquestionably invaluable to the reader.' Keith Brymer Jones, Master Potter and judge on The Great Pottery Throw Down
The tableware we use is very important in our everyday lives, whether plates, bowls, mugs, cups or teapots. This stylishly illustrated guide helps budding and established ceramicists alike to create practical and attractive ranges, starting with design principles, working through appropriate construction techniques, and leading on to decoration and finishes.
Leading designers Sue Pryke and Linda Bloomfield explain the importance of inspiration and consistency in design, providing step-by-step guides to the main making methods, which include hand building, pinching, coiling, throwing and slipcasting. They also offer advice on using various clay materials – such as recycled and reused clay bodies – and the combination of clay with other materials including wood, metal, textiles and synthetics. Tips are provided on glaze fit, dishwasher- and microwave-safe glazes, firing and finishing.
Featuring beautiful photographs of the work of such prominent tableware makers as Sasha Wardell, James and Tilla Waters, Reiko Kaneko and Nico Conti, there are many sources of inspiration for those wishing to further their tableware ambitions.
Useful collection of various pieces, and description of many techniques related to forming, decorating and firing pottery. Some sections are a bit introductory (material, wheel throwing, glazes) and others are a bit too detailed (slip casting), so I guess some rebalancing in the next edition may be beneficial. I liked some information on the standards in size for functional wares, but I expected more details in how to plan and execute repetitions (10s of cups all the same). It's a useful book and has a lot of very descriptive pictures of functional and design pottery.