Making Marks: Discovering the Ceramic Surface (Paperback)

by Robin Hopper (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Professional studio potter Robin Hopper, drawing from nearly 50 years of experience, offers a wealth of ceramic surface decoration possibilities - some rarely ever exposed - in this brand new all-inclusive guide! The expansive range of techniques provided in Making Marks, together with the straightforward tips for successful use, is a formula guaranteeing remarkable results for potters, teachers, students, collectors, or anyone with an interest in ceramics.

From the fundamentals (basic approaches to drawing, color theory, glaze development, and spatial development) to the clay processes (decoration with tools, adding and removing marks, and use of liquid and color clays), and from the pigment processes (variables of colorants, brush, stamp, spray, and pencil marks, and resistance techniques) to the glazing and firing processes (glaze application methods, heat and flame, vapor and fume, and multiple fired surfaces), this guide contains everything readers want and need to know. Never has there been a more complete guide on decorative techniques for ceramic surfaces!

About the Author
Professional studio artist, teacher, ceramic historian, lecturer, and consultant, Robin Hopper has been working in the field of ceramics since 1955?nearly 50 years! Born in London and trained there at Croydon College of Art, he is primarily a studio potter. Robin has developed studios in both England and Canada, with working experience on four continents. Robin is author of Staying Alive: Survival Tactics for the Artist, The Ceramic Spectrum: A Simplified Approach to Glaze and Color Development, Functional Pottery: Form and Aesthetic in Pots of Purpose, and the updated and expanded edition of Clay and Glazes for the Potter, all published by Krause Publications. He now makes his home in Victoria, British Columbia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Krause Publications; illustrated edition edition (October 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873495047
• ISBN-13: 978-0873495042
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #483,073 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Books like this one - a definite necessity !, August 10, 2005

By	Mrs. S. Woolley "shaz1potter" (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is an exciting book, it is not just about painting marks on surfaces. The list of options is quite comprehensive from liquid slips, clay colour modifications, carving, underglazes, slip-trailing, lustre-ware and of course impressions and incisions made by tools. Robin Hopper is a master of clay due to the years he has be absorbed by it. He has used good quality work by various potters to display the different forms of decoration.

Surface decoration is always something you need to think in advance about before making the piece. You need to be clear what you want to see in the end, these choices will affect how smooth you want the surface to be and of course the decoration needs to be a custom-fit aesthetically for each piece. Discourse about these matters is found throughout the book.

Glaze technology is discussed in this book, though not to the depth a total beginner would like - total knowledge could be gained in a technical course.

This is one of those books that you can keep using as your understanding grows depending on where you are. Always interesting and inspiring to read about other surace decoration forms gaining knowledge all the way.

This book would also be good as a guide in a set course, chapter by chapter you could do projects eg Chapt 1: Drawing, Chapt 2: Sign & Symbol, Chapt 3: Pattern & Space, Chapt 6: Marks of Slash, Scratch, Carve & Cut etc.

All in all, a wonderful storehouse of so many ideas to have at hand !

41 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For the dabbler or those needing inspiration to try something new, July 9, 2005

By	C. Dupuy "pot lover" (Seattle WA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

While I'm relatively new to the art and craft of pottery, I beginning to find my own voice in my work. This book is helping me to think about differnet ways to express myself in my work. While I will probably never go out and buy a sand blaster or work with lusters, I know I have the inital reference source I need should I decide to go that way.

Possibly one of the most valuable (but not necessarily exciting sections) is his intial discussion of drawing and line. I come from a background of hard science (chemistry) and know little of formal art or the principles of "line." He explains why this is important and how to start thinking about it.

Finally, the book is a visual orgy. My husband (non potter) and I frequently sit and flip through the book to look at the examples of the various works. It becomes intoxicating. We can sit and discuss what makes one peice have that "come hither" look while another, while technically excellent, has little or no appeal to us. It has become a spring board for me in terms of astectics.

While this book will not teach you how to sand blast or give you important clues about the proper layering of airbrushed glazes, it will help you think about all of the different types of marks you can make on clay and choose the ones that call to you.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great reference for both beginners and advanced potters, February 17, 2006

By	Lamar J. Bordelon (Dallas, Texas United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Making Marks is an excellent reference book that both beginners and advanced potters can benefit from. It delves into all aspects of potting, and not only illustrates the results that can be achieved, it provides the "how to" for many of the processes. Any potter who has this book in their library will never run out of ideas for creating unique pieces.