Ceramic Glazes: The Complete Handbook

I just love this book. It takes a really informative look at contemporary ceramicists and provides tips, glazes etc on how the work was achieved. There's also a really good chapter on glaze ingredients, etc. I'm studying an MA in ceramics and this book has proven to be my favourite purchase to date

A beautiful book, but I was slightly disappointed with the content. There are 100 examples of ceramicist work, but the recipes are not really helpful for functional pottery, I felt. The chapters referring to practical and technical information could have been more detailed with perhaps additional information for the more experienced ceramicist.

The first half of this book covers glaze theory from a testing perspective. It describes how to mix and test glazes. It also covers color theory. The second half of this book is essentially an artist showcase depicting photos of the work and one or two glazes used by the artist. The showcase is organized by color, not by temperature so if you want a collection of cone 6 glazes, you have to scan the entire book. From a practical perspective this book may be an interesting introduction to glazes. From the perspective of someone developing their own glazes, this book is a frustration. It is a mile wide and barely an inch deep. There is no discussion of glaze variations, firing schedules, soaking times, colorant response or materials substitutions. So, if you want to work with any of the glazes in this book you have little advantage compared to finding a glaze online and trying it out. There is no reason to have this book on the workbench while developing glazes. The book is not a handbook. I like the idea of the artist showcase to see what other artists are doing but if that is what the book is going to cover, that is what the book should be called.

Yes, fab book on glazes. For the professional which is good as most books cater towards hobby ceramics. Very pleased.

Too simplistic, doesn't provide detailed information just very very basic stuff