Professional studio potter Robin Hopper, drawing from nearly 50 years of experience, offers a wealth of ceramic surface decoration possibilities--some rarely ever exposed--in this brand new all-inclusive guide! The expansive range of techniques provided in Making Marks, together with the straightforward tips for successful use, is a formula guaranteeing remarkable results for potters, teachers, students, collectors, or anyone with an interest in ceramics. From the fundamentals (basic approaches to drawing, color theory, glaze development, and spatial development) to the clay processes (decoration with tools, adding and removing marks, and use of liquid and color clays), and from the pigment processes (variables of colorants, brush, stamp, spray, and pencil marks, and resistance techniques) to the glazing and firing processes (glaze application methods, heat and flame, vapor and fume, and multiple fired surfaces), this guide contains everything readers want and need to know--there has never been a more complete guide on decorative techniques for ceramic surfaces!
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Professional studio artist, teacher, ceramic historian, lecturer, and consultant, Robin Hopper has been working in the field of ceramics since 1955?nearly 50 years! Born in London and trained there at Croydon College of Art, he is primarily a studio potter. Robin has developed studios in both England and Canada, with working experience on four continents. Robin is author of Staying Alive: Survival Tactics for the Artist, The Ceramic Spectrum: A Simplified Approach to Glaze and Color Development, Functional Pottery: Form and Aesthetic in Pots of Purpose, and the updated and expanded edition of Clay and Glazes for the Potter, all published by Krause Publications. He now makes his home in Victoria, British Columbia.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
66 of 68 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is an exciting book, it is not just about painting marks on surfaces. The list of options is quite comprehensive from liquid slips, clay colour modifications, carving, underglazes, slip-trailing, lustre-ware and of course impressions and incisions made by tools. Robin Hopper is a master of clay due to the years he has be absorbed by it. He has used good quality work by various potters to display the different forms of decoration.
Surface decoration is always something you need to think in advance about before making the piece. You need to be clear what you want to see in the end, these choices will affect how smooth you want the surface to be and of course the decoration needs to be a custom-fit aesthetically for each piece. Discourse about these matters is found throughout the book.
Glaze technology is discussed in this book, though not to the depth a total beginner would like - total knowledge could be gained in a technical course.
This is one of those books that you can keep using as your understanding grows depending on where you are. Always interesting and inspiring to read about other surace decoration forms gaining knowledge all the way.
This book would also be good as a guide in a set course, chapter by chapter you could do projects eg Chapt 1: Drawing, Chapt 2: Sign & Symbol, Chapt 3: Pattern & Space, Chapt 6: Marks of Slash, Scratch, Carve & Cut etc.
All in all, a wonderful storehouse of so many ideas to have at hand !
Surface decoration is always something you need to think in advance about before making the piece. You need to be clear what you want to see in the end, these choices will affect how smooth you want the surface to be and of course the decoration needs to be a custom-fit aesthetically for each piece. Discourse about these matters is found throughout the book.
Glaze technology is discussed in this book, though not to the depth a total beginner would like - total knowledge could be gained in a technical course.
This is one of those books that you can keep using as your understanding grows depending on where you are. Always interesting and inspiring to read about other surace decoration forms gaining knowledge all the way.
This book would also be good as a guide in a set course, chapter by chapter you could do projects eg Chapt 1: Drawing, Chapt 2: Sign & Symbol, Chapt 3: Pattern & Space, Chapt 6: Marks of Slash, Scratch, Carve & Cut etc.
All in all, a wonderful storehouse of so many ideas to have at hand !
44 of 47 people found the following review helpful
By C. Dupuy
Format:Paperback
While I'm relatively new to the art and craft of pottery, I beginning to find my own voice in my work. This book is helping me to think about differnet ways to express myself in my work. While I will probably never go out and buy a sand blaster or work with lusters, I know I have the inital reference source I need should I decide to go that way.
Possibly one of the most valuable (but not necessarily exciting sections) is his intial discussion of drawing and line. I come from a background of hard science (chemistry) and know little of formal art or the principles of "line." He explains why this is important and how to start thinking about it.
Finally, the book is a visual orgy. My husband (non potter) and I frequently sit and flip through the book to look at the examples of the various works. It becomes intoxicating. We can sit and discuss what makes one peice have that "come hither" look while another, while technically excellent, has little or no appeal to us. It has become a spring board for me in terms of astectics.
While this book will not teach you how to sand blast or give you important clues about the proper layering of airbrushed glazes, it will help you think about all of the different types of marks you can make on clay and choose the ones that call to you.
Possibly one of the most valuable (but not necessarily exciting sections) is his intial discussion of drawing and line. I come from a background of hard science (chemistry) and know little of formal art or the principles of "line." He explains why this is important and how to start thinking about it.
Finally, the book is a visual orgy. My husband (non potter) and I frequently sit and flip through the book to look at the examples of the various works. It becomes intoxicating. We can sit and discuss what makes one peice have that "come hither" look while another, while technically excellent, has little or no appeal to us. It has become a spring board for me in terms of astectics.
While this book will not teach you how to sand blast or give you important clues about the proper layering of airbrushed glazes, it will help you think about all of the different types of marks you can make on clay and choose the ones that call to you.
21 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Making Marks is an excellent reference book that both beginners and advanced potters can benefit from. It delves into all aspects of potting, and not only illustrates the results that can be achieved, it provides the "how to" for many of the processes. Any potter who has this book in their library will never run out of ideas for creating unique pieces.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book
I don't know when I will be proficient enough to make glazes but it is such a wonderful picture book!
Published 1 month ago by Mary in Phx
4.0 out of 5 stars
excellently researched
The many photographs are appreciated. The variety of artists' contributions clearly exemplify the pertinent descriptions. An enjoyable text like book.
Published 3 months ago by Mona Gail Trump
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great BOOK!
First reviewed this book in a pottery class and just had to have it! Features beautiful works, and is very inspiring.
Published 6 months ago by Pearl1
5.0 out of 5 stars
making marks
Robin is a master craftsman who has written a book for a ceramic artist who wants to know all the possibilities of working in clay along with the technical details of how to make... Read more
Published on September 27, 2009 by A. grannis
5.0 out of 5 stars
It's earned its 5 stars
A wonderful resource for those with a working knowledge of pottery who are looking for ideas, information, and techniques. Read more
Published on March 6, 2009 by rubian77
5.0 out of 5 stars
Making Marks gets high marks!
Robin Hopper's Making Marks: Discovering he Ceramic Suface is an important source for contemporary clay workers. Read more
Published on November 23, 2008 by Robert William Wolff
5.0 out of 5 stars
making marks: Discovering the ceramic surface
This is really the most extraordinary ceramics book that I have ever seen. I am so amazed at the quantity of ideas for surface treatment that I don't know where to begin and I... Read more
Published on November 8, 2008 by Sondra Mclinn
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great gift for a potter.
I purchased this book as a gift and it was absolutely perfect for an up and coming potter who has the building techniques down but would like to move to the next stage of creative... Read more
Published on January 1, 2008 by Zoe H. Morris
5.0 out of 5 stars
Checking for stars!
Hi,
I am the author of this book. The first review in the list of five gives a glowing report and yet rates only one star! I feel that this is a mistake. Read more
I am the author of this book. The first review in the list of five gives a glowing report and yet rates only one star! I feel that this is a mistake. Read more
Published on June 19, 2007 by Robin C. Hopper
5.0 out of 5 stars
Compendium of Surface Decoration Techniques
This book is an exhaustive compendium of all different surface decoration techniques. The second paragraph of the "Book Description" in the "Editorial Reviews" for this book gives... Read more
Published on May 26, 2005 by Book Fan
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