Pottery Basics: Everything You Need to Know to Start Making Beautiful Ceramics

by Jacqui Atkin

Working with clay is a deeply satisfying creative hobby, but many would-be potters are put off because they don't know how to get started. Pottery Basics shows the way. With instructive, clearly captioned, step-by-step photos on every page, it teaches everything they need to know to start making, decorating, and firing pottery. It also presents twelve simple projects that encourage beginning potters to put their new skills into practice. Expert potter Jacqui Atkin instructs

Types of clay Basic modeling methods such as throwing, pinching, coiling, and trimming Techniques for bisque and glaze firing, and much more

Beginners learn to make vases, trays, tiles, and many other attractive objects. They also learn techniques for creating designs, color combinations, and textures with inlays, slips, feathering, and burnishing. Separate sections instruct on clay preparation, on using a potter's wheel, and on firing in the kiln. Hundreds of instructive and inspiring color photos.

Genres: Art

128 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2005

Reviews

[Jackie]

While this book covers a lot, it doesn’t say much about each thing. The finished product images are also all separated from the process images, so it can feel a bit disjointed as well.

I did like that they covered slabs, pinch pots, and other methods besides just use of a wheel, but again - these weren’t covered in enough depth for me to feel confident making a mold without finding other sources first.

I wouldn’t say this one is super beginner/newbie friendly, but it definitely shows what’s possible, even if it’s all a bit dated as far as style goes.

[Naomi]

Doesn't do a good job of describing centering or how it can go wrong or how to fix it if it does go wrong.


Also pulling a handle isn't its own described section, you have to wait til page 86 and it's within another project not labelled, needs better organization.

Minimal to no practical glazing 101, only decorative ideas. Needs to explain how and why glaze firing works better

[Zahida Zahoor]

Some useful tips and ideas for pottery for a beginner. However, some of the pottery ideas not very inspiring and seem out of date now.

[Ang]

Great book with lots of helpful hints and tips. Colourful examples from creating to decorating.

[Tracey]

Great beginners book that I still refer back to for ideas and tips after many years. I borrowed this from the library until I finally bought my own copy to add to my bookshelf permanently.