Throwing Techniques (Ceramics Class) [Hardcover]

Joaquim Chavarria (Author)

Book Description

Series: Ceramics Class | Publication Date: May 1, 1999

After reviewing the preparation clay mixtures, kneading methods, plasticity, and shrinkage, the book demonstrates basic throwing exercises at the wheel, then shows how to create open bowls and plates, vertical and cylindrical pots, spherical and oval jars, and specially shaped cups and jugs.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Joaquim Chavarria, a professor of ceramics and sculpture at the Escuela Massana in Barcelona, Spain, is also the author of the best-selling The Big Book of Ceramics.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill (May 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823005933
• ISBN-13: 978-0823005932
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 9.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,216,532 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

68 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great introduction to throwing, July 12, 2001

By 

Angel Lee "Liocorno Amethyst Moonstone" (Cleveland, OH United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Throwing Techniques (Ceramics Class) (Hardcover)

Throwing clay on a wheel must be the most exciting, challenging and frustrating part of the potter's art. This is a wonderful book to help those just beginning to throw clay on a wheel to realize the excitement and minimize the frustration.

The thorough explanations and attention to detail are what make this book so good. Everything is explained with step-by-step instructions with a clear color photo for each step in which you can really see what is happening.

The book begins by explaining tools and materials as well as plasticity and shrinkage of clay. There are then simple exercises in placing the clay on the wheel and forming basic shapes. The use of the hands as tools is well emphasized.

Moving on to real projects you will see how to throw bowls, plates, cylindrical pots, vases, spouts, handles, knobs, lids, jugs and a teapot. Throwing a bowl with a cylinder base and a vase is two parts is also covered.

As with the other books in the Ceramics Class series, Throwing Techniques provides a wealth of essential lessons. You'll need to practice but there isn't a better book to show you how it's done.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not as good as others for beginners, May 12, 2007

By 

SJR "New Beginnings" (Ft. Myers, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Throwing Techniques (Ceramics Class) (Hardcover)

I did not find this book nearly as usueful as I had hoped. I ended up returning it. It was too abstract and not concise enough for a beginner. It might be good for an intermediate experienced thrower. A better book for beginners is Thrown Pottery Techniques Revealed: The Secrets of Perfect Throwing Shown in Unique Cutaway Photography by Mary Chappelhow. Mary's book did a much better job of covering all the details, step by step in a more comprehensible manner, which I found to be excedingly more helpful for a beginner.

5.0 out of 5 stars A throwing workshop in a book, October 10, 2007

By 

Sulynn E. Sexton - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Throwing Techniques (Ceramics Class) (Hardcover)

As a beginning student of the wheel, this book was a valuable reference tool. It explained things in words that I could understand and provided visual images for further understanding of wheel techniques..