The Complete Practical Potter

This is a comprehensive guide to ceramics, with step-by-step projects and techniques. It offers an accessible approach to ceramics, with step-by-step instructions and over 800 photographs, introducing techniques that form the basic vocabulary for your work. It includes six sections that cover design; handbuilding; making and using moulds; throwing; glazing and decoration; and kilns and firing - each including a variety of related work by contemporary ceramic artists. It shows over 30 projects that include a diverse range of creative possibilities with clay - from a simple hand-coiled pot needing the minimum of equipment, a wheel-thrown cup and saucer, to a press-moulded plate with printed overlays. Working with clay is tremendously versatile, and this book brings a sound knowledge of the main ceramic methods to both the novice and the practising maker wanting to extend their approach to design and technique. Each chapter features a rich array of step-by-step explanations, brought to life with example of contemporary work.It provides ideas that range from a thrown cup and saucer, a hand-formed interpretation of the human figure, a press-moulded jug with sprigged decoration, and slipcast vessels with the distinctive crackled surface of raku.Accessible and inspiring, the book uncovers both the practical essentials and the creative secrets of working with clay.