The Complete Potter : The Complete Reference to Tools, Materials and Techniques for All Potters and Ceramicists

New, pristine condition.

[back cover]
This definitive guide takes you through all the processes from clay to kiln, from designing your pieces to making, decorating, and firing them
Clearly laid out and packed with factual information that every creative ceramicist will want to have on hand, including descriptions of the very latest materials and how to use them effectively in your work
Step-by-step instructions for traditional methods and new products, such as paper-clay, are combined with examples of work by some of the world's top ceramicists, including details on how they achieve their results
[flap copy]
"The Complete Potter is a comprehensive guide that will help you choose, design, create, fire, and decorate your ceramic items. The first thing you will discover is that the spectrum of studio ceramics produced internationally is amazingly wide. Potters today can experiment and practice in a broad range of ceramic materials, using many different techniques for making and firing ware.
This book begins by explaining the different types of available clay and the types of ware that can be produced from each. The author goes on to examine various forming techniques, including hand-building, throwing, and making in molds. Once you have made your pot, you can decorate it in many ways, including the application of slip, glazes, and pigments, as well as by employing many exciting printing techniques. You'll find details on the raw materials for making glazes, complete with instructions on how to apply them plus several useful glaze recipes. Finally, you'll discover the different types of kilns and firing techniques that are available. The firing method you choose will have a profoundeffect on both the function and appearance of the finished piece, and can be one of the most fascinating aspects of ceramic work. At the end of the book, you will find a quick-reference guide to tools and equipment, plus health and safety advice and a comprehensive glossary.
The Complete Potter presents a wealth of professional advice on materials and techniques. Step-by-step illustrations clearly demonstrate each technique while also inspiring and encouraging you to produce pottery of the highest quality.
Steve Mattison has been a professional ceramic artist for nearly 20 years, specializing in wood-fired salt glaze and raku. Since the early 1980s, he has been a teacher of art and design in several universities and colleges in England and on the Continent. He currently lectures at Manchester City College, England, and Budapest University of Art and Crafts. He is the international coordinator for the International Ceramic Studio in Kecskemit, Hungary, and is one of the founders of the International Ceramics Festival in Wales, Europe's premier educational ceramics event. Steve's work is represented in many museums and private collections throughout Europe and the United States and he has contributed to several magazines and books.