Written by a well-known ceramist, this best-selling, comprehensive introduction to ceramics adeptly combines the artist's perspective and spirit of creative inspiration with step-by-step, extensively illustrated instruction in the full range of ceramic procedures—i.e., hand, wheel, and plasterwork techniques. Ideal for self-study, it features exceptionally clear explanations; an abundance of black-and-white and full-color illustrations of process sequences , model examples, and ceramic projects; and a convenient-to-use layout—with one topic per page or per two-page spread. The volume examines the craft and art of clay, fabrication methods, design, decoration, and glazing, clays and glazes, firing the ware, marketing and computers, and ceramic history. For those at any level of expertise in ceramics. The Craft and Art of Clay is the most comprehensive introduction to ceramics available. The book contains numerous step-by-step illustrations of all ceramic techniques to guide the beginner, as well as an inspirational portfolio of ceramic pieces from contemporary international potters. For the more experienced ceramist, there is a wealth of invaluable information on glaze formulas and other technical details, including temperature conversions, which make the book ideal as a reference. NEW FEATURES OF THE FOURTH EDITION INCLUDE: Trailblazers —special profiles of key ceramists who have made significant contributions around the world. The seven artists featured are: Juan Quezada, Peter Voulkos, Luo Xiao-Ping, Toshiko Takaezu, Huey Beckham, Otto Heino, and Janet Mansfield. - A new chapter on Marketing and Computers. The material on marketing in the last edition is expanded to provide more detail on how to sell your work successfully, including preparing it for display, approaching galleries, and finding venues for showing your pieces. New computer material includes technical aspects, from using computers to calculate glaze formulas and computerized firing, to useful programs and websites, and the creation of "virtual ceramics." - New material on using gold, alternative glazes, and paperclays. - 150 new color illustrations. - A revised and clarified Compendium of technical information. Invaluable features, such as safety icons to warn beginners of potential hazards, a concise history of ceramics and its traditions from prehistory to the present day, and an updated bibliography, glossary, list of museum collections, residencies and magazines, are retained in this new edition. Susan Peterson's engaging writing style, deep knowledge, and boundless enthusiasm encourage creativity and engender an appreciation of the oldest of arts. Susan Peterson is Professor Emerita of Ceramics at Hunter College at the City University of New York, and is a practising ceramist whose work has been exhibited throughout the world. Her career spans more than fifty years and includes the founding of five ceramics departments at colleges throughout the United States. She has had her own studio since 1950 and exhibits and lectures in countries around the world, including China. She is also the author of Working with Clay, Contemporary Ceramics, and Jun Kaneko. A member of the International Ceramic Academy, Geneva, she is also a Fellow of the American Craft Council, a recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts grant, of the Lifetime Achievement Award from NCECA (the National Ceramic Education Council of America), and the prestigious Binns Medal from the American Ceramic Society and the New York State College of Ceramics. Jan Peterson is a high school and college ceramic teacher, ceramic artist, and jeweller. I graduated from Alfred, New York State College of Ceramics, in the first Master of Fine Arts class after World War II, following an undergraduate degree in Painting (with Ceramics from F Canton Ball) at Mills College in California. At mid-century we were heavily into pots and visions of design for industry that would bring "the greatest good to the greatest number." Functional and decorative pots were our business, although in the early 1900s artists such as George Ohr, Susie Singer, Adelaide Robineau, Wilhelm Koge of Gustavsberg, and George Tinworth of Royal Doulton were among the first purveyors of Funk. Also early in the 20th century some famous painters such as Matisse, Gauguin, Renoir, Chagall, Leger, Miro, Picasso, Braque, Rouault and others were delving into clay, without making much of a dent in the potter's world. Years later we pay homage to their work. The 1950s brought to the fore the Hamada/Leach/Cardew angle of vision, whose legacy it would take us to the 1970s to truly understand. Shoji Hamada (d.1978) and Bernard Leach (d. 1979), two of the most renowned potters who ever lived, founded the concept of studio pottery—Hamada in Japan, Leach and his follower Michael Cardew in England. Many of us were also drawn to the robust Rosanjin or the vibrant Kanjiro Kawai, Japanese masters who