Mastering the Potter's Wheel: Techniques, Tips, and Tricks for Potters (Mastering Ceramics)

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Master the potter’s wheel with this comprehensive guide that takes you from foundational skills to next-level techniques.

Featuring brilliant tricks of the trade from acclaimed artist and instructor Ben Carter, Mastering the Potter’s Wheel is an essential reference for every potter. Ben breaks down the seemingly complex process of wheel throwing into manageable steps, provides a wealth of options for customizing your work, and gives detailed advice for refining your technique. Richly illustrated with color photography, this inspiring volume includes:

  • Essential techniques in wheel throwing, from wedging clay to throwing, centering, shaping, and trimming pots on the wheel, with a section dedicated to troubleshooting common problems
  • Advanced techniques and tips for creating feet; making lids, knobs, handles, and spouts; forming bowls, cups, plates, and teapots; altering pots, including paddling and darting; throwing large vessels; and decorating and finishing your pieces
  • Skill-building exercises for expanding your range and improving your techniques
  • An overview of studio safety, including silica dust mitigation, handling toxic materials, correct body posture to avoid injuries, and stretching exercises
  • Artist features and inspirational galleries with photos of work from today’s top working artists, including Kyle Carpenter, Sam Chung, Chandra DeBuse, Julia Galloway, Martha Grover, Ayumie Horie, Forrest Lesch-Middleton, Kristen Kieffer, Kathy King, Matt Long, Alex Matisse, Lorna Meaden, Doug Peltzman, Mackenzie Smith, Shawn Spangler, and many more

Take your skills—and your work—to the next level with
Mastering the Potter’s Wheel.

The Mastering Ceramics series is for artists who never stop learning. With compelling projects, expert insight, step-by-step photos, and galleries of work from today’s top artists, these books are the perfect studio companions. Also available from the series: Mastering Hand BuildingMastering Kilns and Firing, and Amazing Glaze.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Ben Carter's 'Mastering the Potter's Wheel'...takes readers through all of the basics, from centering to mastering the basic forms. What pushes this book beyond the competition, however, are the techniques offered in the chapters that follow. From a variety of methods for throwing large objects out of clay, such as pitchers and platters to alterations, darting, and paddling, this book offers potters a world of possibilities. With inspirational guest features from today's top working artists, this book is the new gold standard for potters and pottery studios everywhere."

Alan Petrucelli, Examiner.com

"If I had a book like Mastering the Potter's Wheel when I was a student, I might have had a shot at becoming a passable potter rather than a curator and writer."

Garth Johnson, Curator of Ceramics, Arizona State University Art Museum Ceramics Research Center

"Ben Carter's varied experiences working as an independent studio potter, educator, podcast host, arts administrator, artist in residence, and production potter in several countries have given him a unique perspective on different approaches to wheel throwing. In this book he enthusiastically shares the knowledge and tips that he has gathered over the years, providing readers with a wide range of approaches to learn basic skills and then to build on them to create a strong, individual style."

Jessica Knapp, Editor,Ceramics Monthly; Associate Editor, Pottery Making Illustrated

"The ultimate 'how to pot' book, this is a must read for anyone pursuing his or her craft through a mindful and holistic approach. Gorgeously photographed process steps, paired with examples of wares by emerging and distinguished makers, contextualize the various processes of potting and set this book apart."

Sarah Millfelt, Director, Northern Clay Center

"Mastering the Potter's Wheel is a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about handmade pottery. The book provides clear instructions, thoughtful insights, and includes beautiful images of work from some of the best potters in the field."

Steve Lee, Director, Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts

"Ben's thorough knowledge and extensive experience in ceramics comes to the fore in this comprehensive book - helpful advice for beginners with loads of tutorials, well-considered guidance for those with more experience, and galleries of examples to inspire into the future. This book deserves a place on the bookshelf in every ceramics studio."

Vicki Grima, Editor, the Journal of Australian Ceramics

About the Author

Ben Carter is a studio potter and workshop instructor and the author of Mastering the Potter’s Wheel. He received his BFA in ceramics/painting from Appalachian State University and his MFA in ceramics from the University of Florida. He has lectured and presented workshops at universities and craft centers in the United States, China, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand and exhibited internationally in numerous invitational and juried shows. Ben’s work has been featured in the Australian Journal of Ceramics, Pottery Making Illustrated, and Ceramics Monthly; Pottery Making Illustrated named him Ceramic Arts 2016 Yearbook Artist of the Year. Since 2012, he has been hosting and producing the popular podcast, Tales of a Red Clay Rambler. Ben lives in New Jersey.

Instagram: @carterpottery
Website: carterpottery.com
Podcast: talesofaredclayrambler.com

Review:

4.9 out of 5

98.46% of customers are satisfied

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Good Book for Working on a Wheel

S.U. · August 18, 2024

I just started working on a pottery wheel and I like this book. Very well written and the photos are excellent. This book is a keeper.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Masterful Book About Throwing On The Wheel

A.M.B. · May 26, 2016

My copy of Ben Carter's Mastering the Potter's Wheel book showed up today. I was planning to flip through the book, check out a little of what he covered in the book, then set it aside to look at more thoroughly tonight or this weekend... An hour later, I realized my quick flip through wasn't nearly so quick after all! I am thoroughly impressed at the amount of helpful knowledge he included in one book. Each topic flows effortlessly into the next in a sensible order. My very first pleasant surprise was the fact that Ben tackled studio safety immediately instead of as an afterthought at the back of the book. In addition to the standard parts about material safety, he also discusses how to prevent aches and strain on the artist's body through posture choices as well as exercises.The text was easy to understand without being simple. The book reads like he is talking directly to the reader. He shows exactly how to achieve a variety of forms using photos and illustrations coupled with smart descriptions about why you need to take those steps. He provides important tips and tricks that many experienced potters take for granted and he tackles philosophical topics like the implied curve of the form and the positive-negative space correlation.From the foot of a pot to the knob of a lid and all of the shapes of thrown forms in between, he's got it covered. Sketched profile examples, pictures of pots cut in half to reveal a cross-section, and tons of step-by-step photos fill the book from cover to cover.It's been quite a while since such a comprehensive and well-considered book on wheel throwing has been written. Thank you, Ben!

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!

J.D. · May 20, 2018

I almost didn't by this book, thinking I could learn all I needed to learn on YouTube, but I'm so happy that I did. This book goes far beyond a how-to book and goes into how to approach the design of your pieces, what to consider, and why. It discusses larger concepts about creating pottery than just how to throw.There's valuable information here that you don't find in simple instructional videos although those certainly also have an important place in my education. I'm only 1/4 of the way through this book but have already learned much more than I have online or in my pottery class.

4.0 out of 5 stars A good book to learn a lot of general concepts and ...

s. · February 19, 2018

A good book to learn a lot of general concepts and methods for throwing pottery. I'm trying to self teach after having taken classes many years ago. While this is a good resource that I like to spend some time with before a throwing session, I'm still looking for that "teacher in a book" that can help me troubleshoot very specific problem areas. However, I did learn a number of general concepts that I've enjoyed trying, or am looking forward to trying.

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Book

Y.1. · May 8, 2024

Purchased the whole series beautifully done hard cover books

5.0 out of 5 stars such a helpful book!

A.C. · February 6, 2019

It has been 33 years since I last tried to throw a pot and I have forgotten almost everything. This book is very clearly written with excellent photographs and has shown me step by step how to throw pots and create art from clay. There are plenty of books available on this subject, but I am glad I chose Mastering the Potter's Wheel.

5.0 out of 5 stars Very well crafted book!

D. · June 19, 2017

This book is so well done from start to finish. As a hobby potter of 10yrs practice, I learned a lot. In particular this book recommends a series of skill-building exercises which I wish I had practiced years ago. If you are serious about wheel-practice and want to grow your skills, this book is the best.The photographs used illustrate the techniques and of finished work are excellent. The book itself is of top quality.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Refresher info for Potters

M. · January 24, 2022

This book is a great refresher for experienced potters and good for beginners as well. I've learned something new and relearned how to do things again. Great book!

Recomendo.

C. · February 10, 2024

Excelente confecção : encadernação, diagramação, qualidade das páginas e fotos. Veio dentro do prazo de 30 dias, uma boa obra para sempre estar consultando.

Brilliant book

S.C. · November 1, 2021

If you only purchase on book on wheel growing practice, this would be a great one!

BUEN LIBRO

M.H. · May 16, 2020

Buena compra, muy descriptivo y con buenas fotos.Estoy satisfecha con mi libro. Recomendado al 100.

Good book

M. · October 30, 2019

Lovely book, very interesting and informative

Very useful to have in your librarary if you are a ...

A.C. · November 19, 2017

Very useful to have in your librarary if you are a beginner or an advance student or a teacher teaching the craft.

Mastering the Potter's Wheel: Techniques, Tips, and Tricks for Potters (Mastering Ceramics)

4.8

BHD15723

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