Customer Reviews

The Potter's Complete Book of Clay and Glazes: A Comprehensive Guide to Formulating, Mixing, Applying, and Firing Clay Bodies and Glazes

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

 

 

...merely a tool, which definitley involves work on behalf of the reader. There are no pictures or test tiles to rely on; you have to try them yourself... a refreshing change from the results usually included in glaze books because you have to experiment and come up with your own results. I used the 1970's edition of this book as an undergraduate, which included the original recipes - not revised to exclude toxins - and while the revised edition is informative, it lacks the conversions for the "toxic" ingredients which many of us still use for the stunning results they provide. As a result some of the best recipes have been excluded from the new edition, and unfortunatley, the replacements and substitutions produce nowhere near the results gained from earlier editions. Still a good tool for the potter who enjoys glaze experimentation, but if you can score a copy of an unrevised edition(there are two- and they are out of print), you are sure to be pleased!

Chappel provides a complete compendium of formulas for various types of clays from low fire to porcelain. He provides extensive formulas for various types of glazes from low fire to cone 14. The formulas are arranged by type, color and includes speciality glazes such as crystaline glazes. He provides complete instructions for firing. In addition there is a good discussion of materials, substitutions and toxicity.

I was disappointed by this book due to the lack of illustrations even if only of test tiles. If the author has tested these formulae I cannot understand why these illustrations were not included, but without them the reader is left having to conduct his own test to determine the effects achievable. If the author has not tested, then the book is little better than the lists of glazes available free on the internet. Either way the reader is left with a lot of work to do.

Many of these glazes are from other sources , same for clay bodies , but have been altered slightly to be presented anew. No real emphasis on glaze toxicity . Fritting Barium and Lead does not guarantee safety in the finished glazes . It's a case of user be aware . No guidelines for glaze usuage on functional wares or decorative . Is the glaze able stand table use - who knows ? Another in the long line of Artistic Glaze books , Ho Humm.

I'm not an expert in formulating and assembling glazes. But, I wanted to have enough information to do so when I had time to look into it more thoroughly.

This book is not entertainment, there are no pictures and it doesn't lead a newcomer by the hand and educate. It's more a recipe book, a listing of components to assemble to make a particular glaze. It's an amazing compendium, but geared toward those with depth in the discipline.

I look forward to exploring it, but don't have the expertise to make it readily accessible now.

To simply put it...a Spectacular compendium of the art of ceramics

from a world reknowned master potter. This volume is a MUST HAVE along with the new Glenn C Nelson 6th edition. Only negative ... I would have preferred colour pictures of test tiles for a lot of the glazes. Hopefully the next edition will include them even though the price of the book will triple but be well worth it to make it the best on the market.

This book has everything you could ever want in a glaze book. Includeing every chemical you need for glazes and charts on how much colorants to add in percentages. Every kind of glaze for every cone. I didnt' pay too much attention to the clay makeing part but thats not hard to do.