Customer Reviews

Coloring Clay (Ceramics Handbooks)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Love this book!! As usual Jo Connell, the author, has produced another beautiful and exciting book. There are very few books on this subject and I highly recommend this one. It is very up to date and provides knowledge not found elsewhere. Ceramics Handbooks are ,by and large, always good, and this is no exception. I am so glad I found it. Even if you never actually color your clay you will be glad you read it. I suggest buying it even if you have many books on pottery . It is a source of inspiration and new ideas for any potter and serves as an excellent reference tool.

I really like this book. I have used some of the techniques on my pottery. Really adds another dimension to clay.

the use artist's examples was a little much, but inspiring. more technical information would have been nice