Pottery on the Wheel [Paperback]

Elsbeth S. Woody (Author), Steven Smolken (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1975

Photographs by Steven Smolker

In plain language and over 250 clear, instructive photographs, Pottery on the Wheel demonstrates to the novice potter every step in throwing the basic clay pottery shapes on the wheel. The student is told and shown how to wedge clay, what tools to use, how to throw cylindrical and open shapes, and how to trim the shapes. There are sections on the more specialized and advanced throwing techniques, such as throwing large pots, and coil and section throwing; and there are instructions for throwing specific forms such as teapots and pitchers. There is a chapter on pottery wheels, and appendices on clays, glazes, and kilns and firing.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“One of the clearest and best-illustrated books on pottery for the beginner.” (ALA Booklist )

“The text is optimistic, determinedly nontechnical, and warm in tone. Steven Smolker has illustrated the book with photographs so real you can almost feel the clay ooze between your fingers.” (San Francisco Sunday Examiner and Chronicle ) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Elisabeth S. Woody studied ceramics at Long Beach State College, Long Beach, California and at Columbia University Teachers College. She has exhibited her work at the Los Angeles County Museum, Boston City Hall, the Museum of Contemporary Crafts in New York, and elsewhere.

Product Details

• Paperback: 205 pages
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (January 1, 1975)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374512345
• ISBN-13: 978-0374512347
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,107,546 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE book for the beginner wheel potter, May 23, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Hampstead, NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pottery on the Wheel (Paperback)

As a student potter, I've looked at a lot of beginner's books. I bought one when I bought the wheel, some at the local bookstore, and some more at the local ceramics supply store. This one I got from the library and liked it so much I ordered it to keep as a reference. It has all the stuff in the detail that I wish the others had - detail sufficient to be of immediate use, but not so complex as to be difficult to understand. There is even more detail that will be of value when I gain more experience.

The book points out typical beginner's errors - I made 'em all - and how to prevent them. It discusses the sequence of pulling the clay to make a pot while maintaining center. Each chapter also has an outline at the end of the main points/steps that were the focus of the chapter so the reader will be sure to learn the most important considerations of that particular topic.

The text is clear, easy to read and understand, and the many photographs, in my opinion, could not be better - they are close-up, in focus and large.

45 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The only book you need, July 14, 2000

By 

Timothy Sullivan - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pottery on the Wheel (Paperback)

I bought this book for my wife who had just finished ten weeks of throwing lessons. She read the book and was able to improve her work in just a few practice sessions. She is so pleased with her new knowledge and skill. The fine detail and the pictures of sectioned pots were easy to follow. The accompaning text was clear and the summeries allow for quick reference.

We can only recommend this fine book to anyone that wants to improve their skill.

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every Potter should have this book, January 5, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Pottery on the Wheel (Paperback)

The text is detailed, but easy to understand and the pictures do an excellent job of reinforcing the concept. I have been throwing for about a year, but reached a point where I was "stuck" and couldn't seem to move forward. After only ONE day of using the techniques in this book, I was able to double the amount of clay I could successfully throw and the results were better than anything I had previously produced. This is the best book there is on throwing.