The Beginner's Guide to Wheel Throwing - (Essential Ceramics Skills) by Julia Claire Weber (Hardcover)

About the Book

The Beginner's Guide to Wheel Throwing is a friendly, contemporary take on the classic wheel-throwing book--perfect for new and returning ceramic artists.

Book Synopsis

"An excellent guide for those aspiring to take up pottery making. [...] While nothing can replace hands-on instruction, this book comes close." ―Library Journal Starred Review

Ready, set, throw! If you've ever wanted to try your hand at the pottery wheel, or if you have ever taken a class and walked away wishing you knew more, you've come to the right place.

Welcome to the wheel, from artist and instructor Julia Claire Weber. In The Beginner's Guide to Wheel Throwing, you'll find all you need to develop the skills (and patience) you need to make your first forms. You'll start at the beginning of the process with a tour through a typical ceramics studio, a discussion of the best clays for throwing, as well as a variety of centering methods. Then unleash your creativity with the chapters that follow. You'll find:

• Starter projects like cups, bowls, and plates to hone your skills.
• Tutorials on important topics like trimming and handles.
• A unique decal workshop, unlocking the potential of image transfer.

Throughout the book, skill-building is front and center, with tips and tricks to help you crack the code and make pieces you're proud of. Gallery work from some of today's top artists will inspire potters of all levels. What will you make first?

For beginners and those returning to ceramics, the Essential Ceramics Skills series from Quarry Books offers the fundamentals along with fresh, contemporary, and simple projects that build skills progressively.

Review Quotes

"Clearly presented color photos and concise instructions make The Beginner's Guide to Wheel Throwing the perfect introduction for students interested in the potter's wheel. Artist and instructor Julia Claire Weber's friendly, encouraging voice guides readers through fun, yet impressive, projects such as bowls, mugs and plates...will inspire readers as they progress on their creative journeys."--Shelf Awareness

"An ideal DIY instructional guide and manual for aspiring pottery makers."--Midwest Book Review

"An excellent guide for those aspiring to take up pottery making. ... Weber has successfully created a how-to book for pottery making that will leave readers with the general knowledge needed to work with clay. While nothing can replace hands-on instruction, this book comes close. Libraries, teaching studios, and aspiring potters should all have this book on hand."--Library Journal Starred Review

"The Beginner's Guide to Wheel Throwing is orderly and easy to understand. Sections on slip decoration, glazing, and firing will undoubtedly prove to be a valuable reference for the novice ceramicist."--Lee Rexrode, Professor Emeritus, Edinboro University

"Clear, concise, and beautifully illustrated, The Beginner's Guide to Wheel Throwing is a terrific primer. Within its pages, Julia outlines the tools, techniques, and terminology you'll need to make excellent pots on the wheel. The sections on trimming, handles, and decoration are top notch and will help you create pots that truly sing."--Gabriel Kline, author of the Amazing Glaze series of books; director of Odyssey Clayworks

"Engaging from start to finish, Julia's personality comes through in both the gorgeous illustrations and playful instructions. This book not only addresses the essentials but also includes information to help you express yourself creatively."--Jason Stockman, Assistant Professor, State College of Florida

"Julia Claire Weber's book is a fun, one-on-one course on the fundamentals of wheel throwing complete with clear how-to photos and inspiring images of finished work by contemporary artists. Reading it feels like being in a studio with her while she shares tips and techniques for forming, decorating, and firing mugs, bowls, plates, and related forms. Her concise, engaging approach includes encouragement and humor at just the right times to remind those who are new to working with clay that both successes and failures are essential to learning to throw on the wheel."--Jessica Knapp, editor, Ceramics Monthly, associate editor, Pottery Making Illustrated

About the Author

Julia Claire Weber is a full-time studio artist (Julia Claire Clay) and a part-time gallery manager. An alumni of the Odyssey Clayworks residency program, Julia was previously studio manager of Clayspace in Erie, PA and is a graduate of the Edinboro University of Pennsylvania ceramics program. Julia keeps a full teaching schedule at craft and art centers across the country and her work has been widely featured and displayed, including exhibitions at NCECA, Pottery Northwest, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, Objective Clay, and the Touchstone Center for Crafts. In print, Julia's work can be seen in Amazing Glaze, Creative Pottery, Ceramics Monthly, Ceramic Arts Daily, and more.