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Just Starting Out - Anyone Know A Good Book To Start With?


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Hey guys, I'm kind of a wannabe artist just starting out.  I ordered a small kiln with which to fire my pieces already.  I'm wanting to start with small hand-made (no wheel) plates, mugs and bowls.  Can anyone recommend some good books that teach this process?

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I was given a copy of "hands in clay by charlotte speight" 4th edition by a friend who's wife was a ceramics instructor at a local college. It was also used as the text for my Ceramics I class at Sierra College in Rocklin CA. I checked Amazon and found it priced from $24 to over $760. The book is excellent...great as a college text!

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I started out with Bernard Leach, but in some ways the book is more interesting as a historic document than a how-to.  I still like it better than Simon's.  Hamer and Hamer's

The Potter's Dictionary of Materials and Techniques

is an excellent reference.

 

When I started out 45 years ago, there were relatively few books available.  Rhodes was an early guru for folks like me who were attempting to be autodidacts.

 

Nowadays there are dozens of good books, and I have a lot of them.  I always learn something from a new book.  The only parts of my personal library that have more volumes are farming and sailing.

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I would recommend Vince Pitelka's Clay: A Studio Handbook. Either first or second edition would be great (the second edition is a bit more pricey).  Other than that, there are tons of YouTube videos as well as Ceramic Arts Daily videos that provide both instruction and inspiration.

 

There are terrific hand builders here on this forum as well...from the response to your original question I'd suggest you find this a welcoming place.

 

My best to you,

-Paul

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The best way to learn is from another potter. You might eventually be able to get there on your own with books and videos, but there are things you pick up in person that will speed your learning.

 

If you can find a community studio with classes, or find a potter to apprentice to you will build your foundation of knowledge faster. Then using videos and books will help you much more.

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