Paperclay: Art and Practice (The New Ceramics)

I initially avoided this book based on poor reviews and bought Gault's older paper clay volumes instead, which was a huge mistake. This book contains everything in the older Studio Companion series and much, much, more. And unlike Gault's previous books, this one is organized in a linear and cohesive format. It has been written for clarity and easy comprehension with good grammar and proofreading. It's also beautifully and thoughtfully illustrated. The handy index in the back let's you jump directly to detailed information on any particular topic when you're using it for a studio reference.There is no art-speak in this book. And despite the inclusion of some beautiful photos, this book is NOT just "eye candy" for inspiration - it is utterly practical. The references to "linear" and "non-linear" are direct references to the practical work-flows needed when using traditional clay bodies as opposed to paper-clays. LINEAR refers to the required progression from wet to leather hard to bone dry to fired when using traditional clays. Works must be dried slowly and evenly, parts must be assembled while all are at the leather hard stage, and once the work is bone dry there's no going back to correct or change anything. NON-LINEAR refers to the freedom paper clay bodies give to move back and forth between the wet, leather hard and dry stages. Paper fiber in the clay allows you to let work dry quickly or unevenly, to attach new wet pieces to others that are already bone dry, and to re-wet bone dry pieces as often as you like in order to modify or repair them until you're ready to fire the work to permanence.Those who complained that this book is low on information may have been looking for a step-by-step project book. True, this book is not paper-clay-for dummies, where you receive instructions on how to successfully create a specific masterpiece without knowing anything about the material you're working with. It does include recipes and instructions to make your own paper clay bodies, but it also includes the logic behind the recipes so you can modify the given ones for your own needs, or even make up your own recipe to cope with the requirements of a specific project. As to HOW to use the material, there are no specific projects included. Instead Paper Clay Art and Practice is absolutely loaded with the logic and science of why and how you can use a Paper Clay body to succeed in hundreds of situations where a traditional non-paper clay body would fail. Each method that's unique to paper clay is explained in text, and illustrated with in-process photos and examples finished works where that method was used. The WHY comes in if you experience failures in your work - then you will be able to diagnose the trouble and make corrections on your own.In short, Paper Clay Art and Practice won't teach you how to make somebody else's work in 10 steps. Instead it will empower you to make your own ceramic works that were never before possible.

Awesome resource if you want to learn about paperclay, there's so much information here and it's very clearly presentedNOTE, THIS IS NOT ABOUT AIR DRY PAPERCLAY that you buy in the craft store.This is about ceramic clay with paper fibers included, that has to be fired in a kiln.

Clarification note:This is for kiln fired paper clay. Although this p’clay can be left to dry and not fired, most of the book has to do with fired p’clay. If you are working with the air dry type you get at craft stores, this is not the right book for you.Review:This book is amazing! There is so much information in it! I learned everything I need to know about fired paper clay. You don’t need to read it in order, but reading it all really does make a difference. I often found myself reading for hours at a time, taking notes, as it was well paced and easy to understand. Well worth the money!The only thing that wasn’t clear until I read the whole thing and pieced it together, as the info is split between sections: when measuring to make the paper clay, measure clay slip and wet but squeezed out processed pulp, both by volume (not weight), to find your ratios when making paper clay.Otherwise, excellent!

Having worked in clay for years, there’s always something new to learn. This was an excellent addition to my collection.

It's a very good reference book for any ceramic artist's library. It doesn't have all that much new if you have followed Rosette Gault, but you do get new ideas, seeing the things ceramists are doing these days. Well worthwhile.

I'm experimenting with paper clay with my classes. This book is an invaluable resource. It is the best on the subject.

I had no idea how truly wonderful and fabulous paper clay could be. The book is super terrific! HOWEVER, I get so annoyed when I receive a book that has simply been thrown in with other items ordered... and the book arrives with the cover being bent and torn. It puts me off some how. But the book is worth having.

I have been doing clay for 50 years and working with paperclay for 20 years. This is the best resource I have found for paperclay. I even learned some new things and was stimulated by the ideas in the book. Rosette describes alternate ways of working with paperclay, including several "non-linear" approaches. This expands the options for creating with clay. The book itself is a non-linear creation, with many inspiring photos and techniques, just enough technical information, and lots of tips on how to do things.