Hand-Formed Ceramics: Creating Form and Surface [Hardcover]

Richard Zakin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1995

Follow author Richard Zakin on a global survey of techniques for creating sculpture, vessels, and wall pieces. Ceramists will find complete instructions and learn the advantages and disadvantages of forming methods. Plus, it includes tips aplenty on the art of combining forming methods.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Zakin concentrates exclusively on methods of hand-building clay forms, with no instruction given for throwing pots on the potter's wheel. After a brief history of hand-formed vessels and sculptures, Zakin answers the questions that bother beginning potters, particularly those who are interested in producing sculptural forms. A good deal of text explains processes and procedures, with step-by-step illustrations provided. More effectively represented is the work of numerous ceramic artists, supplying plenty of inspiration and ideas. Pottery making remains a popular pastime, and Zakin's guide will probably be most helpful in assisting students who have not yet become proficient at technical aspects of the craft and need to be reminded of things they are still learning. Alice Joyce

Review

Hand-Formed Ceramics: Creating Form And Surface presents potters with a global survey of various artists' techniques for creating sculpture, vessels, and wall pieces. Richard Zakin combines his expertise with that of artists from around the world to give potters insight into working with clay, the basics of the hand-forming process, and creating surface imagery. Advantages and disadvantages of forming methods are discussed, with instructions for pinch forming, coil forming, slab forming, drape forming, and solid forming -- plus tips on combining forming methods. Processes for texturing pieces by stamping, engraving, carving, and combing surfaces are also explored. Three hundred b/w photos and sixteen pages of color illustrations visualize these methods. Hand-Formed Ceramics would be a valuable and appreciated addition school art department or community library pottery reference collection. -- Midwest Book Review

Product Details

• Hardcover: 244 pages
• Publisher: Chilton Book Company (October 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801985056
• ISBN-13: 978-0801985058
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,348,316 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Zakin covers all the bases, April 5, 2000

By 

Christine Merritt (Beaverton, Oregon, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hand-Formed Ceramics: Creating Form and Surface (Hardcover)

Zakin does an excellent job with this book. He is thorough and quite knowledgeable. The book is worth the $ just to view the hundreds of examples by various artists worldwide. Not only does he give you the technical information on clays, glazes and firing - you get the tecbniques of many potters. It would cost hundreds of dollars to participate in the workshops required to learn these techniques. If you are a visual learner and are a hobbyist or teachinng professional this book is worth the money.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Informative and an easy read., April 22, 2000

By 

lAUREL R SUK (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hand-Formed Ceramics: Creating Form and Surface (Hardcover)

I purchased this book for a ceramics class. I am happy that I did. I found the book easy to read and very informative. The class I am taking is an independent study and the book is my inspiration. I am working through the various techniques in the book. The pictures are inspirational and the words give you enough information to to actually make the piece as the artist did in the book.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars only for beginners, July 24, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Hand-Formed Ceramics: Creating Form and Surface (Hardcover)

I bought this book with the hope of learning something new. Although I did not read it from cover to cover, what I did read was too basic to be worth the money. Much of what is in the book could be learned at a beginning ceramics class in a park district class in one or two sessions. In fact, for the price, a park district class or other beginning ceramics class would be much more inspiring.