Crusty Posted September 29, 2014 Report Share Posted September 29, 2014 There are a lot of good books out there and some better than others. So we thought we would ask the fine folks here to share their favorite book and ask why it is... Thanks for sharing, Jim & Cindy... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mug Posted September 29, 2014 Report Share Posted September 29, 2014 "the practical potter" by Josie Warshaw The book is available for a reasonable price, It is current, and it gives you a very good introduction to multiple methods that can be used in pottery. "The Essential Guide To Mold Making & Slip Casting" by Andrew Martin A very good book on mold making, and he gives you an introduction to his speedy, unique, prototyping technique that works quite well. I go to these books first to find answers and usually find what I am looking for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarlCravens Posted September 29, 2014 Report Share Posted September 29, 2014 So popular it's almost cliche, but "Functional Pottery" by Robin Hopper. I've read it through at least 3 times. I like its historical grounding, and thorough exploration of form versus function. My goal is to make pots that are useful, and Robin's thoughts on how pots should be made useful are helpful and inspiring. For practical "around the studio" reference, "Clay: A Studio Handbook" by Vince Pitelka. A good, broad survey of studio work, from how to throw to how to set up a studio. Special mention to Hamer & Hamer, "The Potter's Dictionary of Materials and Techniques". Not the most sexy of pottery books, but a solid reference I'm glad I bought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcia Selsor Posted September 29, 2014 Report Share Posted September 29, 2014 The Potters Book by Bernard Leach excellent in depth look at the whole process A Potters Workbook by Clary Illian excellent designing Functional Pottery by Robin Hopper excellent design discussion For glazes both of these are good for understanding the chemistry of glazes. Mastering Cone 6 Glazes Ron Roy and John Hesselbeth Cone 6 Glazes by Michael Bailey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drmyrtle Posted September 29, 2014 Report Share Posted September 29, 2014 If you are interested specifically in throwing a wide range of forms, I highly recommend "Thrown pottery techniques revealed" by Mary Chappelhow, Krause Publications, 2001. This book is out of print and has not been reissued, but you can search/find them listed as used copies. IMO it is worth whatever you pay for it. The thing that makes this book so different is that every form, and form size, is demonstrated with variations of hand positions shown in pictures. The pictures also include cut away pots, with helpful little arrows indicating which direction or pressure your hands/fingers should take. Years ago I went through the book forwards and backwards and forward again, producing every form every which way whether I aesthetically liked it or not. As a foundation resource you can't go wrong. I believe there is also a hand building version of that title, but I don't have it. Have fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clay lover Posted September 29, 2014 Report Share Posted September 29, 2014 I have them both and they are the most helpful books I own. Had my wheel class get her throwing book, it illustrates the hand positions perfectly, step by step. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelP Posted September 30, 2014 Report Share Posted September 30, 2014 One more vote for "Clay: A Studio Handbook" by Vince Pitelka. No BS, clear and logical explanations and suggestions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biglou13 Posted October 1, 2014 Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 Right now is val cushing's handbook. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmartsyArtsy Posted October 2, 2014 Report Share Posted October 2, 2014 The Ceramic Spectrum is my most "gone to" book in the library. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Reed Posted October 3, 2014 Report Share Posted October 3, 2014 Clay and Glazes, Rhodes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted October 3, 2014 Report Share Posted October 3, 2014 The one I have not read. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxden Posted October 4, 2014 Report Share Posted October 4, 2014 I am a bit of a book hog and own most the books mentioned in this thread. One I find that I go back to for inspiration and ideas is the Complete Potter's Companion by Tony Birks. I just saw it on amazon used books for $0.01, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harold Roberts Posted October 4, 2014 Report Share Posted October 4, 2014 Out of the Earth Into the Fire by Mimi Obstler. She gets deep into understanding the materials and what they do in the fire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PSC Posted October 4, 2014 Report Share Posted October 4, 2014 Just for looking at the photos of pots magdalene odundo's book...love her forms Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melinda Posted October 4, 2014 Report Share Posted October 4, 2014 Centering In Pottery, Poetry, and The Person by M C Richards is about clay and life, and very inspiring Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callie Beller Diesel Posted October 5, 2014 Report Share Posted October 5, 2014 +1 for Clary Illian's A Potter's Workbook. I'd like to give an honourable mention to "Finding One's Way With Clay" by Paulus Berensohn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pres Posted October 7, 2014 Report Share Posted October 7, 2014 Best book, out of my library? That I suppose would be the day of the week, or the week of the month or so forth. I seem to go through a book for a long time thinking about all I have read and seen to the point I can't put it away for a long time. Then it is another book, and another, always for days or week at a time. So I really don't have a favorite, but today I am reading through the Advanced Ceramic Manual Technical Data for the Studio Potter, John W. Conrad. Last week it was The Potter's Manual, Kenneth Clark. I still have enough pottery books it will take me a long time to get through them all like this, and by the time I do it will be time to start all over again, because I will have forgotten what I read this week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muddycrash Posted October 7, 2014 Report Share Posted October 7, 2014 For me it would have to be - Potter's Dictionary of Materials and Techniques by Frank Hamer. Its an alphabetic list of materials, terms and techniques. It is my go to book for and specific information. There is not real how-to sections - but more of an overview of almost everything pottery related. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Wilson Posted October 8, 2014 Report Share Posted October 8, 2014 clay and glazes for the potter, daniel rhodes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alabama Posted October 9, 2014 Report Share Posted October 9, 2014 Hey, I like "German Stoneware: 1200 - 1900 by David Gaimster. Its a history book as well as filled with examples of pottery at its height in the 16th and 17th centuries. How they did that with what they had at the time is pretty amazing. I also like "Pre-Industrial Utensils: ... Its chronological by chapter from 1100 a.d. with examples of pottery, glass, metal ware, and knives. The images are small but can be enlarged at the printers. See you later. Alabama Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callie Beller Diesel Posted October 9, 2014 Report Share Posted October 9, 2014 I'd also like to add the 500 Teapots and 500 Cups that were published by Lark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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