Customer Reviews

The Practical Potter: A Step By Step Handbook

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book features excellent photos that display methods and techniques used in today's clay realm. The basics are shown for a wide variety of projects that will inspire and keep the beginning or intermediate clay artists creating for some time. Closeup photos show finger positions that work to create wheel thrown projects. This book is a general overview text that would fit well into a beginning classroom for potters. The step by step photos are the gem of this book. I recommend this book to my students dispite the following drawbacks: Due to the large variety of topics, space does not permit in-depth detail discussions on all of the topics. But that's okay. Artist's acquire that as they progress. The durability of the paperback edition is questionable if it is to be transported in and out of a studio classroom. A pyrometric cone chart is not included, but would be helpful. Overall, it's a great book for beginners and inspiring for intermediate levels.

This is a great book for beginner potters that like step by step instructions along with pictures for projects on the wheel or hand built. It explains glazes, slips, kilns, surface decoration, making plaster molds, etc. An overall good book to have in your library.

If you have no other this is the ceramics guide to keep for reference and ideas. Basic glazing techniques and clay building procedures are explained in layman's terms.

I love this book! It is well laid out. It is easy to read AND to understand! It's packed with simple instructions and clear information with lots and lots of pictures to illustrate the many processes and aspects of pottery. I highly recommend this book, especially to those who may be starting out in pottery or even if you have some experience behind you--it's a great resource!

This book is quite informative, with a good exposition of lots of different ceramics techniques, along with examples of work by many artists. It is not as technical as, say, Rhode's book with respect to dealing with materials, but there are many techniques in here that are well beyond beginner level, such as various mold techniques and fibrous clay (paperclay). It includes lots of photographs (generally several per page), both of work-in-progress, as well as creative completed work. It is "practical" in that it gives clear photos and instructions for accomplishing techniques, but the results are very artistic, as evidenced by the photos.

The major sections are History & Design, Handbuilding, Molds, Throwing, Glaze & Decoration, Kilns. For each section, equipment is illustrated, then techniques are discussed, finally a few instructive projects using those techniques are shown from start to finish.

According to the copyright page of my paperback edition, it was previously published as "The Complete Practical Potter". Given its smaller dimensions (my copy is 7x9"), I think the pages are printed at a reduced size. However this title is available xo cheaply (as of this writing) that it is quite a bargain. Given all the information in it, it is comparable to several more costly books.

This appears to be the same book as "The Complete Practical Potter" isbn #0754801950, so see the reviews there for more info about the contents of this book. [My full review of this title is at isbn #1843092069, which is another edition of this same book.]

This will be a short review. But there's not really much to say: the book is informative, accessible, well laid out, well bound (it stays open by itself on), and in some ways, inspiring.

I recieved the book just today, and have only spent about 20 minutes with it, but as a relatively skilled potter, I have already gleaned some useful information, and inspiration from the book.

Highly recommended.

For the price this book is a bargain. Well written almost a joy to read. Directions are short and to the point with nothing wasted. The information not contained in this book is easy to find on the web. What it does contain is some really good information easy to understand the photos are excellent. The only drawback is the book is rather small, and so is the type. If you need lager type you may want to find a lager print version of the book.

This appears to be the same book as "The Complete Practical Potter" isbn #0754801950, so see the reviews there for more info about the contents of this book. [My full review of this title is at isbn #1843092069, which is another edition of this same book.]