Coloring Clay (Ceramics Handbooks) [Paperback]

Jo Connell (Author)

Book Description

Series: Ceramics Handbooks | Publication Date: October 23, 2007

From sugar whites and pastel pinks to toasted browns and deep sea blues, the wide spectrum of colored clay offers an array of possibilities for creative ceramicists. By using the clay itself as the sole means of decoration, potters can achieve effects that range from subtle gradation to dramatic shifts, all integrated into the structure of their creation. Working with colored clay demands a special, disciplined approach, but the rewards are many.

Beginning with a brief introduction to historic forms such as encaustic tile, sprigging, and art pottery, Coloring Clay explains the principal techniques for working with colored clay. This detailed, practical handbook takes artists though the clay and stain selection process to forming and firing, outlining proven procedures that produce optimum results. Readers will learn to use coiling and handbuilding for marbled effects, make Wedgwood-style applied reliefs, incorporate swirls and subtle hues into wheel-thrown pieces with mixes and overlays, or apply inlays to slipcast works for modern geometric patterns. Jo Connell also covers loaf and cane forms such as agate, nerikomi, and millefiori, as well as textural effects.

With dozens of color photographs illustrating key steps and methods and beautiful presentations of great contemporary ceramic art, Coloring Clay is sure to educate and inspire.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Artist and lecturer Jo Connell is also the author of The Potter's Guide to Ceramic Surfaces.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press (October 23, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812220110
• ISBN-13: 978-0812220117
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #752,892 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Informative, Inspiring, But Not Perfect, June 27, 2009

By 

Thomas Perry (Houston, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Coloring Clay (Ceramics Handbooks) (Paperback)

I recommend Jo Connell's Coloring Clay to anyone who currently works with or is considering working with colored clay. It is an excellent survey of techniques and approaches utilized in this often overlooked area of ceramics. Following a brief review of historical uses of colored clay, such as Egyptian paste beads, encaustic tiles, and Wedgwood wares, Ms. Connell discusses how clay is colored, then provides images of vessels and sculptures from a number of contemporary studio artists (primarily British and American and at least one Australian). The images are usually accompanied by brief descriptions of processes the artists use, but don't expect "how-to" details. And to her further credit, Ms. Connell emphasizes testing and safety information. There are a few shortcomings, particularly for beginners to the field. Although she presents starting percentages for additions of several mineral oxides and carbonates (such as cobalt, iron, copper), she omits this valuable insight for commercial stains (for example, 4%-5% for most blues and greens). And she doesn't refer to specific commercial stains available in the U.S. (e.g. Mason, Cerdec, Blue Heron), although she does offer a short list of ceramic suppliers that sell these stains once you know what you want. While she refers in a short paragraph to the Japanese techniques of nerikomi and neriage, I wish she would have included images and process descriptions for some of the outstanding works by Japanese ceramists. I also would have liked more discussion on millefiore blocks and patterns. Still, Ms. Connell introduced me to interesting and novel approaches and has inspired me to explore some new directions for my own work.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Colouring clay, April 20, 2008

By 

Judi Smith (New Zealand) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Coloring Clay (Ceramics Handbooks) (Paperback)

An excellent book to get you started on colouring clay. Mixing stains and oxides in clay, percentages and some basic techniques.Gives info you dont get from the polymer books.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not the definitive work..., April 14, 2008

By 

Paulette Carr - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Coloring Clay (Ceramics Handbooks) (Paperback)

A quick read, but not much in-depth information. Although it is a little on the light side, this would be good auxiliary information and pictures to Jane Waller's Colour in Clay.