Handbuilt Pottery Techniques Revealed: The Secrets of Handbuilding Shown in Unique Cutaway Photography

by Jacqui Atkin

The latest edition of this very popular how-to book for potters is bigger and better than ever. It has gone up in page count from the first edition to accommodate additional projects with instructions for making them, and also features an expanded gallery of handsome color photos showing examples of finished pieces. Handbuilt Pottery Techniques Revealed focuses on projects that produce good-looking and useful finished objects but don't require use of a potter's wheel. Author and expert potter Jacqui Atkin instructs in coil, slab, mold, and pinch techniques to produce pots, bowls, vases, tiles, and other decorative pieces. She also lists basic tools the potter will need, instructs on mixing and preparing clay, and advises on use of coloring agents. Step-by-step color photos with detailed captions guide handcrafters through each project from start to finish. Many photos are of the cutaway type to show correct hand positions for controlling the clay, both inside and outside the form. Here's the book that takes the mystery out of hand-building in clay, demonstrating each step in the pottery-making process. Hundreds of color photos.

Genres: Art, Reference, Nonfiction, Crafts

192 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2004

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm rating this without trying any of her demos, but they look quite well done. Will be a good reference book for my pottery students.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book a few hours before going to my second time doing pottery at a local workshop. I read it cover to cover. This book is easy to read and follow. I look forward to using it in the months and years ahead. The cutaway photography and graphic representations of ways to take the projects further give it an extra edge. At my pottery workshop, the potter said that she owned the book as well! Ie started making the bird out, and I feel confident that I will execute it well. The reason for the four stars and not the five is twofold: 1. I don't think it's necessary to have a chapter on creating moulds in a beginners book and (more importantly) 2. I feel that an explanation of the firing and glazing procedures are needed. Words deacribing glazing and firing are used throughout the book, but I don't understand what they mean whatsoever.

All in all, I am very happy I purchased this book.

[Crista Lash · Rating 5 out of 5]

I may be late to reading this book, given that it was published over two decades ago. Some of the projects reflect that age and feel dated, but the techniques shared are incredibly useful, and I learned a lot from reading through them.

I did find myself a bit confused by the firing and glazing explanations and would have benefitted by having more clarity or background knowledge prior to reading the book but I will refer back after I’ve gained more knowledge on glazing & firing.

That said, it’s a book I know I’ll continue to return to, even though I’ve acquired books with more modern projects & finishes.

[James Hurley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of great ideas that can inspire countless other projects and all of it without a wheel! This is a handy book for the classroom teacher! I will be buying it for my bookshelf, even though I took copious notes!

[Edith · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars. I've now read this several times, and used it to try to improve my coiled pots. I hope to move on to more ambitious pieces--we'll see how it goes. (Rating may change in the course of doing that.)

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Ridgely · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read it from cover to cover in a single evening. Not many technical manuals manage to be quite so fascinating. The projects inside provide excellent jumping-off points for original work. If you're into pottery, this is an excellent book. I lent it to my mentor and she hasn't given it back yet. I'd call that a stand-alone endorsement right there.

[Greta · Rating 4 out of 5]

The nice thing about handbuilt pottery is that even a beginner can create something that looks halfway decent in a short amount of time. This book contained several interesting projects with clear, step-by-step directions which included photographs.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this so much I decided to buy it.

[Argosworks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great ideas, explained wee.

[Laura McDermott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is just full of ideas for hand built pottery. Good for everyone from beginner to more advanced.

[Scott Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

damn good

[LemontreeLime · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the best "cut away" type clay books on the market today. Atkin helps keep it fun and easy!