The Ceramic Glaze Handbook: Materials * Techniques * Formulas(A Lark Ceramics Book) [Hardcover]

Mark Burleson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 30, 2001 | Series: Lark Ceramics Books

"This well-illustrated handbook...covers glaze chemistry, application techniques, firing, and problem solving. Color photographs comparing fired samples are particularly good. A collection of formulas by other artists is categorized by type of clay body and firing temperature. Useful for studio potters and hobbyists, this book belongs in general arts and crafts sections."--Library Journal.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Because the glaze is a critical factor in determining the final appearance of a ceramic piece, potters need good guides and formulas for successful glazes. This well-illustrated handbook by professional ceramist and instructor Burleson covers glaze chemistry, application techniques, firing, and problem solving. Color photographs comparing fired samples are particularly good. A collection of formulas by other artists is categorized by type of clay body and firing temperature. Useful for studio potters and hobbyists, this book belongs in general arts and crafts collections.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Just as clothes make the man or woman, glazes make the clay. Practicing potter and teacher Burleson simplifies both the chemical and aesthetic techniques necessary to master "any material that melts and fuses permanently onto clay's surface." He begins with an investigation of the three compounds integral to glazes--glass formers, stabilizers, and fluxes--and explores the different types of colorants, from stains and blends to opacifiers. There are plenty of photographic details about mixing, testing, techniques, health and safety, as well as 96 formulas and faults occurring in glazes that are too thick, over or under fired, or pulled away from the surface. No pot is left unturned, as the author is careful to feature elegant examples of major glaze techniques such as maiolica, trailing, resist, and raku. Intended for beginning and experienced potters. Barbara Jacobs
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Lark Books (June 30, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579902022
• ISBN-13: 978-1579902025
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #884,137 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Only 1 remaining error on page 118, February 20, 2002

By 

Cheuk C Yau (Kingsport, TN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ceramic Glaze Handbook: Materials * Techniques * Formulas(A Lark Ceramics Book) (Hardcover)

When I ordered the book, there was no reader's reviews. All three reviews appeared the next day after I ordered the book. I would not have purchased it if I had read those reviews. However, when the book arrived, I checked it against the corrections [website] and found that all but one error have been corrected (foot note for middle picture on page 118). There is no indication that the book in my hands is a second printing.

This book is well illustrated and extremely well organized for easy comprehension. The pictures of the test tiles for major colorants laid out in a modified 2 x Y factorial design is extremely informative. The format of having one illustration by each formula is the most inspiring and useful way of presenting the formulae. Get this book and Hopper's the Ceramic Spectrum if you want to start formulating your own glazes.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Ok book...but...has errors, February 14, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Ceramic Glaze Handbook: Materials * Techniques * Formulas(A Lark Ceramics Book) (Hardcover)

This is a decent book, but...there are a number of errors in it. Be sure and get the corrections from the publisher at:

http://mercury.larkbooks.com/glaze/correct.pdf
http://mercury.larkbooks.com/glaze/index.pdf

Other than that, it is a good book on glaze materials, mixing, and application. Includes a variety of recipies for use at various cone temps.

Updated info...the second printing has corrected the errors that I mentioned above.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Ceramic Glaze Handbook, February 19, 2002

By 

James V. Harwood (Honolulu, Hawaii United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ceramic Glaze Handbook: Materials * Techniques * Formulas(A Lark Ceramics Book) (Hardcover)

Our ceramics instructor and I (perennial student) found this book in a local library and our class loves it. We participate in a potter's guild situation, not an academic fine arts class, so the clear explanations in this book by Burleson help cut through the haze of what glazes are made of, how to take care of them, and how to experiment with them. We can't wait to get started.