The Figure in Clay: Contemporary Sculpting Techniques by Master Artists (A Lark Ceramics Book) [Hardcover]

Lark Books (Author)

Book Description

Series: A Lark Ceramics Book | Publication Date: August 1, 2005

Nine master ceramic artists present their personal approaches to sculpting the human figure in a spectacular volume that's both technically illuminating and visually inspirational. The outstanding examples range from representational to abstract, diminutive to heroic. Nan Smith uses a range of mold-making techniques and precise slab construction, while Akio Takamori coil-builds a simplified figure inspired by a Velásquez painting and Christyl Boger creates a lavishly decorated, classically formal figurine. Each featured sculptor discusses the unique attractions and challenges of his or her method, and a series of detailed color photographs follows the artwork as it takes shape. In addition, there's a gallery of contemporary pieces selected by the major contributors. Glen R. Brown, a noted writer on ceramics, provides an insightful, thought-provoking introduction.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Nine artists who focus on the figure and use clay, an ancient medium, share their visions and techniques. Glen R. Brown's introductory essay orients readers to sculptors unbound by academia or cultural tradition in their approach to figurative representation. Adrian Arleo presents a life-size, coil-built figure, and in her essay explains her use of pencil sketches as sources for initial ideas, then details her concern with suggesting the inner or spiritual being via external rendering of the human form. Crystal Boger explains that although her narrative figures seem traditional at first glance, they actually embody the angst of contemporary culture. Mark Burns draws on pop culture to achieve affectionate nods to arts of the past, including the work of Rene Magritte and novelty lamps of the 1930s. Following each artist's amply illustrated essays are equally well-illustrated step-by-step descriptions of the techniques used. In all, this book provides rare insights into both the conceptual and practical concerns of artists working in clay. Whitney Scott
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Lark Books (August 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579906117
• ISBN-13: 978-1579906115
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 8.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #39,766 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #5 in Books > Arts & Photography > Sculpture

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

89 of 92 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have book for the serious potter - sculptor, October 6, 2005

By 

David Gordon Ducker (Paris, Ontario) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Figure in Clay: Contemporary Sculpting Techniques by Master Artists (A Lark Ceramics Book) (Hardcover)

Has Lark ever published a `bad' ceramics book? I purchased The Figure in Clay: Contemporary Sculpting Techniques by Master Artists sight unseen and was not disappointed. This is simply the latest in a long list of wonderful Lark ceramics books that inform, delight and inspire potters and sculptors. For any potter interested in exploring figurative sculpture this book is a must. But this is NOT a beginners book. There is not a word of explanation about greenware, bisqueware, cones, or the purchasing and operating of equipment such as kilns or all of the hundreds of other details that you need to know to use this book successfully.
Clay is both a very forgiving and very demanding medium and these artists make it look deceptively simple. You are not ready for this book until you have had your projects crack, stick to the shelf or explode in your kiln and believe me they will. If you are new to pottery and clay I suggest that you first purchase a different lark book, Making Ceramic Sculpture: Techniques * Projects * Inspirations by Raul Acero. Work through these projects, learn the techniques introduced by Raul and then you will be ready to tackle the more advanced projects introduced in The Figure in Clay.
Nine artist are featured in The Figure in Clay. All use a wide variety of what should be familiar techniques: coiling, pinching, slab, casting, and molds - alone or in combinations to create some of the best modern ceramic sculpture being produced today. Each of the featured artist writes an introductory essay explaining their philosophy, work and techniques. This is followed by a detailed step-by-step project that illustrates in pictures and text a typical project. Each starts with the concept through to the finished project. Finally there is a gallery of work by other figurative artists suggest by the featured artist. Putting nine master artists together provides a feast of information, inspiration and ideas that makes you anxious to get into the studio to begin to explore. I am sure The Figure in Clay will provide a source that you will mine repeatedly for years to come.
Finally I would also suggest that you purchase an earlier Lark book The Penland Book of Ceramics: Masterclasses in Ceramic Techniques. This book is also written for the more experienced potter-sculptors and is not entirely about sculpture. It follows the same format as The Figure in Clay. I find myself consistently gleaming new ideas as I have repeatedly returned to the various artists. All three books are must haves in the library of every serious potter-sculptor and are highly recommended.

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book has inspired me to begin sculping the human form, August 18, 2005

By 

J. E. Krummert "Student Potter" (Bay Village, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Figure in Clay: Contemporary Sculpting Techniques by Master Artists (A Lark Ceramics Book) (Hardcover)

I recently purchased this book, and it has been a source of great inspiration to me. I began sculpting a human figure, something I thought not possible for me to do. I have been a student in a Pottery class for the past 4 years and my teacher Moira Beale is a master potter (she has been in ceramics for 25 years). She said she didn't think it would be possible to sculpt in clay a figure without using the traditional armature method. However, following the instructions in this book I have begun a scuplture without armature, it is now ready for bisque firing and I am so excited.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent resource, March 1, 2006

By 

D. K. Evans "mad about much" (Mission Viejo, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Figure in Clay: Contemporary Sculpting Techniques by Master Artists (A Lark Ceramics Book) (Hardcover)

This book is an excellent resource for anyone interested in sculpting the figure. The step by step photos and descriptions of different artists' methods are clear and provide a nice range of different approaches to sculpting the figure. Only drawback is that most if not all the artists are using low-fire clay. It would have been nice to have some examples of artists sculpting in high fire--a much less forgiving process.