Hand-Building Techniques (Ceramics Class) Hardcover – May 1, 1999

I have only been doing handbuilding or sculpting of earthenware clay for a couple months. I saw this book at a class and had to order it.I wanted t make everything shown in it! When I ordered it, I noticed the author, Joaquim Chavarria had two other clay books, so I ordered those two also, and got free shipping on all three. Oh yes, I am WAY ove the age of 13.

I have a lot of handbuilding techniques and I think this is my favorite - I bought it only recently as it hasn't got many reviews. Here's the deal:After the usual (at this point somewhat annoying) discussion about types of clay, etc., same as in almost every such book, there are lot of projects. a LOT. The 'finished' pieces are unfinished and very un-pretty as shown. The author doesn't talk about surfaces or anything but covers many crucial approaches to constructing a variety of farms. It's not an inspirational book that way. But each of them demonstrates a different method for building, with a lot of handy tips, and of course all of them can be refined and interpreted in infinite ways. It's not an advanced book by any means, but it's well thought out, clear and the many rather awful lumpy forms he ends up with invite lots of variation. I didn't give it the fifth star because it'd be nicer if the author demonstrated techniques for refining and actually making these items beautiful - I think cleaning and finishing techniques get short shrift in most books of this sort and it's a shame. But by and large, it's a very helpful book.

Good reference with easily understood directions. Really good photos. Nice ideas.

I actually bought this book years ago, just now getting around to a review. During this time, I have utilized many of the techniques included in the book.

If starting to work in clay- a basic book

This book might not have many pages but it sure is packed with the right information and projects.

Really, this is just a waste. If you don't have a clue to what clay is, then maybe. But I just read through it again and there is nothing here that you can't get from talking to someone for 5 minutes or watching a couple of youtube videos.It adds insult to injury that this 60 (!) page book seems to be written without any intent to provide value for the cost.

Great book with different ideas to apply to your handbuilding pieces. All bought all three of his books to add to my pottery library

This book wasnt what I wanted or needed. lots of useful info. Mostly disappointed as I dont like the style of this potter and thete was nothing in the book I wanted to make