Customer Reviews

Mastering Raku: Making Ware * Glazes * Building Kilns * Firing (A Lark Ceramics Book)

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WOW! This is a GREAT book for the new or even experienced raku fan. It is the most comprehensive book that I know of and is destined to be the new raku "bible". It includes everything you could possibly want to know from basic firing techniques to alternative styles such as Naked Raku. It also has sections on safety and even building your own kiln. I have been doing clay/raku for 35 years and I still found it to have a ton of useful information in it. Oh, and it also has a bunch of recipes for slips, glazes, etc. so with this book in hand you are good to do just about anything!

Mastering Raku by Steven Branfman is a book written by a true expert in the field of ceramics. More importantly his informal writting style covers the topic of Raku in excellent detail. This technical packed text covers Raku glazes, clay body's, kilns, safety consideration along with supplying clay body and glaze formulas. The photos of Raku pottery are excellent showing many Raku artists pottery in great detail. Other photos reveal the actual firing process and glaze effects. Students new to Raku can read the book and can feel competent when starting to make their own pots. Steven truely is a great teacher and reading this book is almost like being in his class. It is a rare text that will offer useful information to beginning as well as advanced students and professional potters.

The history of Raku was the first time I encounted a complete account of how Raku came into existance. I found this part of the book was worth the price alone. Steven also explains and corrects several myths about Raku that I will let future readers find and enjoy for themselves. While there are other books on Raku this one covers all aspects of this fast firing technique. Steven has written the dfinitive text on this topic.

Jeff Zamek, Ceramics Consulting Services

The author put together a combination of ideas and photos with the work of raku potters from around to world. Then complemented that with an explanation of how to achieve those results. I thought other raku books were great but this one takes you over the top with it's insight and inspiration. I also like the fact that he included some other low-fire techniques like pit firing and saggar firing. There is a list of glaze recipes and step by step instruction on building a raku kiln. To me this is an awesome book.

Steven Branfman's Mastering Raku is a comprehensive overview of the Raku process. An enjoyable read from start to finish. The book covers everything from kiln construction, glazes,health and safety, and a wonderful section teaching Raku. Beautiful color photographs of Raku work throughout the book provide inspiration for anyone interested in the Raku process. A most have for anyone interested in this expressive firing process!