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The Figure in Clay: Contemporary Sculpting Techniques by Master Artists (A Lark Ceramics Book) | 
 enlarge | Author: Lark Books
Publisher: Lark Books
Category: Book
List Price: $24.95
Buy New: $16.47
You Save: $8.48 (34%)
New (33) Used (11) from $11.99
Rating:  15 reviews
Sales Rank: 51972
Media: Hardcover
Edition: Fifth
Pages: 176
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.2
Dimensions (in): 11 x 8.8 x 0.8
ISBN: 1579906117
Dewey Decimal Number: 731.82
EAN: 9781579906115
ASIN: 1579906117
Publication Date: August 1, 2005
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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Product Description
Nine master ceramic artists present their personal approaches to sculpting the human figure in a spectacular volume that's both technically illuminating and visually inspirational. The outstanding examples range from representational to abstract, diminutive to heroic. Nan Smith uses a range of mold-making techniques and precise slab construction, while Akio Takamori coil-builds a simplified figure inspired by a Velásquez painting and Christyl Boger creates a lavishly decorated, classically formal figurine. Each featured sculptor discusses the unique attractions and challenges of his or her method, and a series of detailed color photographs follows the artwork as it takes shape. In addition, there's a gallery of contemporary pieces selected by the major contributors. Glen R. Brown, a noted writer on ceramics, provides an insightful, thought-provoking introduction.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 10 more reviews...
A must have book for the serious potter - sculptor October 7, 2005
David Gordon Ducker (Paris, Ontario)
71 out of 74 found this review helpful
Has Lark ever published a `bad' ceramics book? I purchased The Figure in Clay: Contemporary Sculpting Techniques by Master Artists sight unseen and was not disappointed. This is simply the latest in a long list of wonderful Lark ceramics books that inform, delight and inspire potters and sculptors. For any potter interested in exploring figurative sculpture this book is a must. But this is NOT a beginners book. There is not a word of explanation about greenware, bisqueware, cones, or the purchasing and operating of equipment such as kilns or all of the hundreds of other details that you need to know to use this book successfully.
Clay is both a very forgiving and very demanding medium and these artists make it look deceptively simple. You are not ready for this book until you have had your projects crack, stick to the shelf or explode in your kiln and believe me they will. If you are new to pottery and clay I suggest that you first purchase a different lark book, Making Ceramic Sculpture: Techniques * Projects * Inspirations by Raul Acero. Work through these projects, learn the techniques introduced by Raul and then you will be ready to tackle the more advanced projects introduced in The Figure in Clay.
Nine artist are featured in The Figure in Clay. All use a wide variety of what should be familiar techniques: coiling, pinching, slab, casting, and molds - alone or in combinations to create some of the best modern ceramic sculpture being produced today. Each of the featured artist writes an introductory essay explaining their philosophy, work and techniques. This is followed by a detailed step-by-step project that illustrates in pictures and text a typical project. Each starts with the concept through to the finished project. Finally there is a gallery of work by other figurative artists suggest by the featured artist. Putting nine master artists together provides a feast of information, inspiration and ideas that makes you anxious to get into the studio to begin to explore. I am sure The Figure in Clay will provide a source that you will mine repeatedly for years to come.
Finally I would also suggest that you purchase an earlier Lark book The Penland Book of Ceramics: Masterclasses in Ceramic Techniques. This book is also written for the more experienced potter-sculptors and is not entirely about sculpture. It follows the same format as The Figure in Clay. I find myself consistently gleaming new ideas as I have repeatedly returned to the various artists. All three books are must haves in the library of every serious potter-sculptor and are highly recommended.
This book has inspired me to begin sculping the human form August 18, 2005
J. E. Krummert (Bay Village, Ohio United States)
23 out of 23 found this review helpful
I recently purchased this book, and it has been a source of great inspiration to me. I began sculpting a human figure, something I thought not possible for me to do. I have been a student in a Pottery class for the past 4 years and my teacher Moira Beale is a master potter (she has been in ceramics for 25 years). She said she didn't think it would be possible to sculpt in clay a figure without using the traditional armature method. However, following the instructions in this book I have begun a scuplture without armature, it is now ready for bisque firing and I am so excited.
excellent resource March 2, 2006
D. K. Evans (Mission Viejo, CA United States)
22 out of 22 found this review helpful
This book is an excellent resource for anyone interested in sculpting the figure. The step by step photos and descriptions of different artists' methods are clear and provide a nice range of different approaches to sculpting the figure. Only drawback is that most if not all the artists are using low-fire clay. It would have been nice to have some examples of artists sculpting in high fire--a much less forgiving process.
Wonderful book May 6, 2007
R. Covington (Charlotte NC, USA)
14 out of 14 found this review helpful
This book is very inspirational to the figurative artist. Some of the work is truly spectacular, and all of it is interesting. I was wondering if I'd like this book before I purchased it, but I am certainly glad I did now. In particular, the works of Adrian Arleo, and my favorite, Christyl Boger, stand out prominently.
The parts on casting and molding are helpful as well. I have never seen such a book where proporton and detailing of the human figure at this scale are illustrated in a step by step fashion, and from rolled coil, slab, and pinched clay at that. Just the pictures of various works and styles would be inspiring enough, but here you have multiple how-tos. Some of the details are glossed over in places, but you are given enough information to where you'd be able to attempt this yourself with little problem. Stock up on clay though. :) There are plenty of smaller works, and abstract examples abound as well as realism.
This book is one of my art favorites now. I may buy another copy for a library use, and keep this one for studio abuse. While the end result of a lot of this art may be intimidating to the newbie, given the high level of finish and proportion, you do not want to pin your technique on books where the end result shown is not representative of the pinnacle you could achieve. This book allows you to set your sights high, along with telling you how to get there as well. You'll just need some practice (same as myself) Now if only I had a really large kiln. :) Firing the end result, which is an art itself, is not covered other than sculpture prep such as venting, etc.
In short, this book was a surprise find, one I've not found in my local bookstores, but one which should be among the main titles they carry.
A Very Worthwhile Addition April 30, 2007
Eric K (Albuquirky, NM USA)
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
I like this book very much for what it is, and that is a showcase of work and methods that are out there. If you are a clay worker who has a little bit of handbuilding experience, here is a book that will expand your horizons. I've seen many of the contributers in magazines like Ceramics Monthly, and they all have unique working methods that are worth examining. Some of the methods are not described in exceptional detail; but they still make you say things like,"Oh, that's how it can be done!" or "Oh, I never thought of working in that manner." If you want specific detailed instructions on things like slip casting or what have you, get a book on it (The Clay Lover's Guide to Mold Making, another Lark book is a fine example). What these artists demonstrate is synthesis --bringing the techniques together to create the whole, a rare quality in instructional art books. Another thing I appreciate about this book is the photo galleries, which include a broad cross section of work. All in all, I feel this is a well rounded survey book.
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