Customer Reviews

Surface Design for Ceramics (A Lark Ceramics Book)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm a potter. I love Lark books and refer to them often for ideas and techniques. I was looking forward to this book and pre-ordered it several months ago. It arrived today and I have to say I was very disappointed with it. It's not a bad book but I found it uninspiring. There's really nothing new in it and I've seen all of the information presented in other books in a much more dynamic way. I was hoping for more.

If you're looking for techniques to try as you work in clay, the recently published Surface Design for Ceramics may be just your cup of tea.

No how-to book showing how to execute someone else's ideas, New Hampshire Institute of Art Ceramics chair Maureen Millls' book exxposes the reader, with helpful detail, to a wide range of decorative processes. Close-up photographs show her hands at work demonstrating at every stage of making, from freshly-thrown clay, through biscuit to post-firing. Her finished pieces are fine illustrations of process. The layout of pages is balance and attractive. While the tools employed are simple, possibilities for their use are many, as are the examples of pots and details of pots showing how the effects are achieved. I found myself drawn in, wanting to know which tools and techniques were used, and in what sequence. There is plenty of explanation.

Mills' own pieces are augmented by photos of other artists' work, both contemporary and from historic periods. Inclusion of pieces by potters in New England, both well and lesser-known, is refreshing, as it reveals her interest in and personal connection to other people's work and style. It's a delight to see so many New Hampshire potters represented!

After the (too short!) chapter on design, dividing the book into clay stages is useful, as it avoids the confusion of figuring out at what stage which technique is appropriate. You can jump right in, and imagination is stimulated, not to copy, but to move through and past, to one's own expression. Options for firing and post-firing finishing are thought-provoking, as one sees the results and can identify the methods of firing. Truly, we are being taught to make our own choices, and the possibilities are endless.

Maureen Mills' considerable experience as a teacher informs the book. She and her husband, Steve Zoldak, are remarkable as educators. Helpful hints abound, clear and concise, never with the pedantic verbosity that has often made me turn the page to escape an author's self-centered intrusion on process.

There is something in this book for most potters, and discreet but crucial suggestions are what intrigue me the most, such as: "It's best to take time to visualize the finished piece before you get started."

I found this book full of great ideas and techniques. I have been a "potter" for 12 years, and sometimes find myself in creative ruts. This book came to me at a time I really needed to explore some new ideas. There is nothing "new" in pottery. But there are new ways to present techniques and I think Maureen did this very well. She works in slip-trailing like no one else I've seen. I was really excited by her latex resist techniques as well. Since receiving this book as a gift, I have tried several of the decorating techniques. I've been energized to try new things, and share them with my students as well.
This book is a great addition to most potter's libraries, something I look forward to browsing for many years to come.

easy to follow instructions for the techniques covered along with great pics. whether you are a new or seasoned clay addict it is a nice addition to your library.

I ordered this book to learn more about creating textures and designs on pottery. It has tons of ideas and inspiring projects enclosed. I highly recommend it for beginners and experienced potters alike.

I've never met a Lark Book I didn't like. The photos of projects in progress as well as finished projects are clear and meaningful. They beautifully illustrate the surface design being demonstrated. Each picture is noted as to type of sculpting, type of clay, technique and the surface design used. My book of full of tabs where I've marked demonstrations that sparked ideas. This is a great book for the beginner as well as someone with more experience.

This book is really inspiring. There are a lot of techniques to dig into and inspire you to get creative with. My only complaint about the book is the way the images and text correlate in terms of the layout. I find it hard to identify/find the image numbers within the body of the text and then locate the corresponding images sometimes. Otherwise the book is a fabulous resource and will definitely be of use for me.

This is one of the best ceramics books that I have ever read! It covers everything that a potter would be interested in doing. I am very pleased with this book and am recommending it to all of my friends who are potters.

Great Book. Gives a good over view of the types of surface treatments that can be done. Good starting point for developing texture as a part of designing ceramics.

I am pleased and inspired by this book. I am encouraged to stretch myself in my own work.