Explore the creative possibilities of this incredibly versatile range of glazes with this comprehensive guide for ceramic artists of all levels. Unlock the world of low-fire glazes with The Complete Guide to Low-Fire Glazes for Potters and Sculptors. Potter, podcaster, and author of Mastering the Potter’s Wheel, Ben Carter, challenges the belief that serious artists work exclusively with high-temperature materials, sharing years of research on crafting exquisite low-fire pots and glazes. Delve into the benefits of firing at lower temperatures, explore the visual nuances of low-fire glazes, and witness renowned artists thriving in this temperature range. Illustrated with stunning photography of work by Carter and other artists, this visually captivating resource covers: Insights into the benefits and visual attributes of low-fire glazes Guidance on setting up a glaze lab An explanation of how glaze is formulated Troubleshooting tips for common glaze faults Designing and making test tiles Techniques for layering, using glaze as form, integrating decals, atmospheric firing, and more Tried-and-true glaze recipes—from gloss to satin, matte, and tin—for varied finishes and color creation Whether you are new to the world of ceramic glazes or looking to expand your knowledge of low-fire glazes, The Complete Guide to Low-Fire Glazes is your path through a world of artistic possibilities. 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: Amazing Glaze, Amazing Glaze Recipes and Combinations, Mastering Sculpture: The Figure in Clay, Mastering Kilns and Firing, Mastering Hand Building, and Mastering the Potter’s Wheel.

My purpose in writing this book has been to present in as clear and understandable form as possible the important facts about ceramic materials and their use in pottery. The ceramic medium has a rich potential. It is so various and adaptable that each culture and each succeeding generation finds in it a new means of expression. As a medium, it is capable of great beauty of form, color, and texture, and its expressions are unique not only for variety but for permanence and utility as well. To make full use of the medium, the ceramist or potter not only needs skill, imagination, and artistic vision, but he also needs to have a sound knowledge of the technical side of the craft. This knowledge has not been easy to come by, and many of those seriously engaged in pottery have learned through endless experimentation and discouraging failures. It is hoped that the present work will enable the creative worker to go more directly to his goal in pottery, and that it will enable him to experiment intelligently and with a minimum of lost effort. While technical information must not be considered as an end in itself, it is a necessary prerequisite to a free and creative choice of means in ceramics. None of the subjects included are dealt with exhaustively, and I have tried not to overwhelm the reader with details. The information given is presented in as practical form as possible, and no more technical data or chemical theory is given than has been thought necessary to clarify the subject. This work is organized as follows: Part One—Clay Chapter I. Geologic Origins of Clay Chapter 2. The Chemical Composition of Clay Chapter 3. The Physical Nature of Clay Chapter 4. Drying and Firing Clay Chapter 5. Kinds of Clay Chapter 6. Clay Bodies Chapter 7. Mining and Preparing Clay Part Two—Glazes Chapter 8. The Nature of Glass and Glazes Chapter 9. Early Types of Glazes Chapter 10. The Oxides and Their Function in Glaze Forming Chapter 11. Glaze Materials Chapter 12. Glaze Calculations, Theory and Objectives Chapter 13. Glaze Calculation Using Materials Containing More Than One Oxide Chapter 14. Calculating Glaze Formulas from Batches or Recipes Chapter 15. Practical Problems in Glaze Calculation Chapter 16. The Composition of Glazes Chapter 17. Types of Glazes Chapter 18. Originating Glaze Formulas Chapter 19. Fritted Glazes Chapter 20. Glaze Textures Chapter 21. Sources of Color in Glazes Chapter 22. Methods of Compounding and Blending Colored Glazes Chapter 23. Glaze Mixing and Application Chapter 24. Firing Glazes Chapter 25. Glaze Flaws Chapter 26. Engobes Chapter 27. Underglaze Colors and Decoration Chapter 28. Overglaze Decoration Chapter 29. Reduction Firing and Reduction Glazes Chapter 30. Special Glazes and Glaze Effects

The Complete Guide to Low-Fire Glazes for Potters and Sculptors is a comprehensive guide for ceramic artists of all levels to explore all the creative possibilities of this incredibly versatile range of glazes.

Amazing Glaze Recipes and Combinations includes hundreds of recipes and combinations for every temperature range, all rigorously tested and technically edited.

According to Ceramics Monthly, most potters glaze their pieces at mid-range temperatures--and this complete studio guide eliminates the guesswork from the popular process. Along with hundreds of recipes, it explores mixing, application, specific firing and cooling cycles, and much more. See how to boost colors, achieve results that equal high-fire glazing, and stretch your boundaries with new techniques.

Potters of all levels will find a wealth of guidance on the glazing process as several of today's leading ceramicists share the recipes behind their most stunning works of art. Includes more than 450 beautiful illustrations, technical how-to section, and detailed glossary.