The Craft and Art of Clay: A Complete Potter's Handbook - Softcover

Peterson, Susan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1856690695 ISBN 13: 9781856690690

Publisher: Laurence King Publishing, 1995

Synopsis

This is a handbook on the art of working with clay, now in its second edition and originally published under the title "The Complete Pottery Course". This edition provides more comprehensive information on both practical and artistic topics, combining a step-by-step guide to acquiring practical skills with an appreciation of the artistic potential of working with clay. It is suitable for beginners and for more advanced ceramicists. Each technical term and process is explained in detail, and the whole range of hand, wheel and plasterwork techniques is covered in over 60 sequences. A concise history of ceramics links past techniques and traditions to contemporary work. Colour charts of clay and glaze combinations are provided, together with a new section on the computer, and the computerized programs now available to ceramicists.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

The Craft and Art of Clay is the most comprehensive introduction to ceramics available. The book contains numerous step-by-step illustrations of all ceramic techniques to guide the beginner, as well as an inspirational portfolio of ceramic pieces from contemporary international potters. For the more experienced ceramist, there is a wealth of invaluable information on glaze formulas and other technical details, including temperature conversions, which make the book ideal as a reference.

NEW FEATURES OF THE FOURTH EDITION INCLUDE:

• Trailblazers—special profiles of key ceramists who have made significant contributions around the world. The seven artists featured are: Juan Quezada, Peter Voulkos, Luo Xiao-Ping, Toshiko Takaezu, Huey Beckham, Otto Heino, and Janet Mansfield.
• A new chapter on Marketing and Computers. The material on marketing in the last edition is expanded to provide more detail on how to sell your work successfully, including preparing it for display, approaching galleries, and finding venues for showing your pieces. New computer material includes technical aspects, from using computers to calculate glaze formulas and computerized firing, to useful programs and websites, and the creation of "virtual ceramics."
• New material on using gold, alternative glazes, and paperclays.
• 150 new color illustrations.
• A revised and clarified Compendium of technical information.

Invaluable features, such as safety icons to warn beginners of potential hazards, a concise history of ceramics and its traditions from prehistory to the present day, and an updated bibliography, glossary, list of museum collections, residencies and magazines, are retained in this new edition.

Susan Peterson's engaging writing style, deep knowledge, and boundless enthusiasm encourage creativity and engender an appreciation of the oldest of arts.

About the Author:

Susan Peterson is Professor Emerita of Ceramics at Hunter College and is a practising ceramist whose work has been exhibited throughout the world. Her numerous books on ceramics include Working with Clay, Contemporary Ceramics, and Jun Kaneko. Jan Peterson is a high school and college ceramic teacher, ceramic artist and jeweller.

About this edition

• Publisher: Laurence King Publishing
• Publication date: 1995
• ISBN 10: 1856690695
• ISBN 13: 9781856690690
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 400