Customer Reviews

Hand Building Techniques (Ceramics Class)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Another installment in the excellent Ceramics Class series, this is an excellent book for beginners who need detailed instructions a want great variety of projects.

The book starts out explaining the properties and types of clay as well as clay mixtures, maturing temperatures, porosity and tools used. Twenty projects follow using a variety of techniques including creating pinch pots, and building with coils, strips and slabs. For each technique there are four projects with clear step-by-step instructions. There is a color photo for each step that really helps show you what to do.

Some projects include a textured spherical vase, a coiled rectangular bottle, a cup built with strips and a slab-built wall. My husband collects rhinoceroses so I was thrilled to find instructions for building a detailed rhino sculpture. I liked an organic looking bowl and abstract giraffe shaped piece as well.

A brief explanation of kilns and firing as well as a glossary are included in the back. This book concentrates on the building process and is the perfect companion to the Glazing Techniques booking the same series.

I do pottery, mostly bowls and was pleasantly surprised at how informative this book was for someone like me who has been doing clay work for decades. I like the clear instructions and the fact that kilns were discussed since so many books on clay work I have read or own, do not discuss what one needs as far as kiln size, safety etc.

If you are the least bit curious and want to try your hand at clay work see if the library has the book or order it from Amazon where the price is extremely reasonable.

I was surprised to see how 64 pages could be filled wth lots of valuable information. All of which are short and to the point. In the clay section he offers two different clay recipes for each type of clay discribed. In the project section, each project is throughly explained with "how to" photographs. Most of the projects are worth the time doing since the techniques can be incorporated into the potters style.

I am new to pottery and this book provides me clear and concise "how-to" to the basic techniques in hand building. Lots of pictures and step-by-step instructions. I would recommend this book to beginners.

I am just beginning to explore clay and so I got this book for myself and for the students in my store who take classes. The techniques are illustrated very well. The directions very clear and photos are great. The only complaint I have is that the projects are a bit out there for me. I mean I'd like to build a great mug, a plate, maybe some platters or something, but some of the wild sculptures are not for me.

Hi
I got this book to help me to refresh my clay work. I have done work for yours and have been away from it for a long time now. With grand kids wanting to do the clay now I wanted a book help with the small things I have forgot. It is a great book for that and lot more. All of my tips I knew came rushing back after going though it. I even plan on getting all of his books on Clay.
They really well done and full of great info on clay work. Some I did not even know from back years ago when I was doing clay a lot.
I would say if you want to work with clay this would be the book for you.

This short, 63 page book offers original and interesting lessons to potters. The author selecs original approaches, such as showing how to build a cup or vase from small strips or balls of clay only, he teaches how to cleverly use the coil technique, and his sculpted rhino as well as his geometric and abstract structures are magnificent. It is a specialized book; it is useful and enriching, in my opinion, to potters with some experience in handbulding.

I have only been doing handbuilding or sculpting of earthenware clay for a couple months. I saw this book at a class and had to order it.
I wanted t make everything shown in it! When I ordered it, I noticed the author, Joaquim Chavarria had two other clay books, so I ordered those two also, and got free shipping on all three. Oh yes, I am WAY ove the age of 13.

This book is simple, basic and full of the proper techniques for hand building. Use his techniques and you will have a successful outcome.

Joaquim Chavarria has produced a well presented book with clear instructions for hand building techniques.The robust hard back cover makes is particularly suitable to a craft envirnoment. The projects suggested and examples shown are inspirational. I bought the book to use with a beginners class but feel that it is more suited for people with a basic familiarity with clay. I wouldn't recommend it to an absolute beginner or hobbiest, but have found it suitable for intermiediate classes and for my own use.