The Workshop Guide to Ceramics

This comprehensive workshop reference for ceramicists brings together a vast range of skills, techniques and technical data in one volume to provide an essential look-it-up resource for weekend crafters, students and professionals. Techniques are explored thematically to help the process of discovery that takes place in the workshop, supported by detailed descriptions and step-by-step photography. This allows the maker to evolve ideas in a natural way, with techniques building upon each other. All techniques are examined closely for relevance to practice and quality of finish. The practical processes of running a workshop are discussed alongside the more complex techniques of making unique work. An extensive guide covers forming techniques, from pinch, coil, slab and wheel to mould-making, slip casting and extrusion, while detailed sections explore slip decoration, embossing and glazing, glaze recipes and applications. Examples of how to set up a studio, good workshop practices, tool usage and recycling of materials act as a foundation to creating a strong environment to carry out your work. The book also includes a comprehensive guide to firing and kilns. This book is the must-have workship guide for anyone working with ceramics, from weekend crafters, night school or college students through to practising ceramicists seeking a one-stop reference on techniques and processes.