Creative Pottery: Innovative Techniques and Experimental Designs in Thrown and Handbuilt Ceramics

Creative Pottery is a studio reference and series of guided tutorial lessons by Deb Schwartzkopf. Due out 2nd June 2020 from Quarto on their Quarry imprint, it's 192 pages and will be available in hardcover format.

This is one of those reference books which is lovely to look at, solidly written to a high quality, and deceptively densely packed with good takeaways both technical and philosophical. Whilst the author says it's for all skill levels, I personally feel that the introductory and beginner chapters are a little light on skill building info for real beginners and too basic for advanced beginners. The more advanced tutorials are really superlatively photographed with clear and concise directions (and her hands are NOT in the way in any of the action shots *yay*).

Each of the chapters includes one or more artist highlights and very short (but insightful) in a Q&A format. The chapters are arranged logically and progress thematically from introductory, tools and supplies, design and asymmetry, bisque molds, hand building and adding complexity/interest.

There's a lot of philosophy and prompts for self reflection and (hopefully) growth as an artist. Are some of them a bit artistic and diffuse? Yes, but I found them valid and worthwhile. I also liked the author's down to earth writing voice. The book reads almost like a class or guided tutorial session. I liked that and found it encouraging and never intimidating.

Very well made and written instructional, full of very very well done photography, high production values, and a *lot* of information for the potter. This is a superlative reference book.

Five stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.