Browse the topics below and click on the title of the area of interest to view all articles in that topic.
Ceramic Art and Artists
If you’re looking for the best information about ceramic art and contemporary ceramic artists, you’ve come to the right place! The ceramics field is thriving and Ceramic Arts Network brings you the highlights from the field.
Selected by the editors of Ceramics Monthly, Pottery Making Illustrated, and Ceramic Arts Daily, these posts feature some of the most talented contemporary ceramic artists working
today. Learn about their methods and inspirations, as well as the challenges affecting contemporary ceramic sculptors and pottery artists. You’ll also enjoy poring over some of the best examples of ceramic sculpture and functional pottery being
made today!
The world of contemporary ceramic sculpture is virtually limitless in scope. In these pages, you’ll be introduced to the
clay sculpture artists who bring clay to life in ways you may never have imagined. You’ll learn that there are endless possibilities for expressing oneself through this medium. From the diminutive to the monumental, the figurative to the abstract,
clay sculpture has it all. Possibly because it has been used for expression for so long, contemporary ceramic sculpture is the most diverse range of sculpture in existence.
In our archives, you’ll see images of work by talented contemporary ceramic artists ranging from stunningly beautiful to rather unsettling. You can learn more about their clay sculpting techniques and their motivations. If sculpture is not your
thing, and you are an aspiring or experienced studio potter, or even just a huge fan of handmade pottery, you’ll find loads of articles on contemporary pottery—there’s
tons of how to information, but we also cover the “why to.” Whether you enjoy throwing on the potter’s wheel or handbuilding with molds or coils, you’ll find a treasure-trove of information on pottery techniques! Everything
from the forming stage through the final glaze firing is covered. If you’re looking for easy-to-understand, step-by-step projects to give you both technical knowledge and inspiration, you’ll find it on Ceramic Arts Network! It’s
like going to a pottery class or a workshop–we don’t miss any key steps!
Experimenting with ceramic glaze recipes is one of the most exciting and important ways to learn about ceramic materials! But glaze chemistry can be an overwhelming subject. That’s why we have a large section of Ceramic Arts Network dedicated to
ceramic glaze recipes. Here, you’ll find everything from low-fire raku glaze recipes to high fire glaze recipes to use in the wood kiln!
Learning how different materials contribute to glazes and clay bodies is very important in expanding your abilities as a ceramic artist. In the Glaze Chemistry section, we’ve gathered a bunch of articles and information on glaze chemistry to help
you understand this incredibly complex and fascinating subject. The best way to learn about ceramic glaze recipes and how the materials affect each other is to test, so browse these posts and then head to the studio and get testing!
Contrary to a once-popular belief, low fire glazing doesn’t mean boring results. Today some of the most beautiful pottery is being made at low temperature. If you would like to explore this temperature range check out the Low-Fire Glaze Recipes
section of Ceramic Arts Network. You’ll discover a whole lot of information on making and using low fire glazes, from textured to matte, and from majolica to glossy transparent glazes. As always, you’ll also see full-color images of finished
work glazed using these low fire glaze recipes.
Mid range firing is probably the most popular firing range today because the results are great and it is more environmentally friendly than high fire. In the mid-range glaze recipes section, you’ll find a ton of cone 6 ceramic glaze recipes as well
as technical articles on mid-range firing. Many potters and ceramic artists choose to fire in the high-fire range because it produces the most vitreous and durable results. And most artists who fire to this range mix their own glazes. And many of
them consult the High Fire Glaze Recipe section of Ceramic Arts Network to find new ceramic glaze recipes! Not only will you find a collection of high fire glaze recipes here, you’ll also read about methods and techniques for firing in the high
fire temperature range.
Looking to learn all about the ceramic supplies you need in your studio? You’ve come to the right place. From ceramic colorants to ceramic glazes and underglazes, and raw materials to clay bodies, you’ll find information on all the essential
ceramic supplies!
If you’ve delved into it at all, you know that creating ceramic color can be pretty confusing. Ceramic Colorants often look very different in their
raw unfired state than they do when fired. We help you decipher all the ceramic colorant options available. Learning how to use ceramic colorants in glazes, slips, and clay will really help you to make your own mark on your work.
Commercial ceramic glazes and underglazes are probably the most popular ceramic supplies and there are so many options out there. The posts and videos in the Ceramic Glazes and Underglazes archives
can help you discover which glazes and underglazes are right for you and all the exciting things you can do with them!
Today, potters and ceramic artists are fortunate because of their relatively easy access to ceramic raw materials. But understanding those raw materials and what they do at various firing temperatures is another thing. We have a plethora of information
from experts on Ceramic Arts Network, which will help you to unravel the mysteries of ceramic raw materials. Of course, your clay body is the most important of the many ceramic supplies needed for pottery. Clay bodies are a mixture of clays and other
ceramic raw materials formulated to give desired working characteristics. Our Pottery Clay topic area is designed to help you learn all the different types
of pottery clay out there and figure out which one has the characteristics you are looking for. We also have instructions if you are planning to mix it yourself, and tips if you would like to go with a clay body from a supplier.
If you are new to ceramics and need to learn how to use clay tools, or if you’ve been making pots for a long time and like to see how other artists make their own clay tools, you’re in the right place. In this section of Ceramic Arts Network,
you will learn all about ceramic decorating tools, wheel throwing tools, ceramic kilns and even how to make your own custom tools.
We have articles and information on the tools used for decorating ceramic work from ceramic artists of all level of experience. You’ll find out how they use store-bought, found or even handmade ceramic decorating tools to make their work their own. From traditional stamps to ceramic texture rollers, and brushes to screen printing to slip trailing, you’ll see that there is much more to decorating ceramics
than dipping a pot into a bucket of glaze.
If you’re throwing pottery on the wheel, it is important to have the right tools at the right time. Most potters start out with the basic pottery tool kit that looks something like this: a sponge, a couple of wooden ribs, a metal rib, and a needle
tool. But as you advance you discover myriad clay tools that can make your job easier or just be perfect for one very particular task. One of the best ways to discover these clay tools is to have a look through Ceramic Arts Network.
Not surprisingly, ceramic artists are very creative people when it comes to the tools they use to get the job done. Nothing is off limits as a potential clay tool and no clay tool has just one use. As evidence in these pages, you’ll see examples
of clever homemade tools and techniques that you might never have thought of. From making your own custom throwing ribs,,
all the way to building a homemade extruder, you’ll be amazed and inspired by what you find here. And what about the most important tool of all; the thing that changes your work from clay to ceramic: the kiln. From gas kilns to wood-fired kilns,
there are a lot of options for firing your work and here you’ll find information on how to get the most out of your ceramic kiln no matter
what option you choose.
Firing is the most important part of the ceramic process. It’s when clay turns from clay to ceramic after all. There are a multitude of ceramic firing techniques out there, and this section of Ceramic Arts Network explores just about all of them.
With sections on Electric Kiln Firing, Gas Kiln Firing, Raku Firing, Salt/Soda Firing, and Wood Kiln Firing, we can help you find the right ceramic firing technique for your work!
Electric kilns are probably the most widely used kilns these days because they are relatively inexpensive to purchase and to use. Learn all about electric kiln firing techniques here. Amazing things can be created with electric kilns and these posts are
a testament to that fact!
As for fuel burning kilns, gas kilns are the most popular of those. With gas firing, you can control the atmosphere your work is exposed to, which directly affects the final results of your glazes and clay bodies. In the Gas Kiln Firing section, you’ll
learn about ceramic firing techniques in gas kilns from ceramic artists and potters who have been using them for years.
Raku firing is an irresistible ceramic firing technique because it involves removing red hot pots from the kiln and placing them in containers of combustible materials. Not only does it involve smoke and flames, but it also creates beautiful results.
Learn all about it in the Raku Firing section of Ceramic Arts Network! And don’t forget atmospheric firing! Wood, salt, or soda firing are quite possibly the most exciting ceramic firing techniques. In these sections of Ceramic Arts Network,
you’ll discover practical technical information, wood, salt, and soda glaze recipes, atmospheric slip recipes, and wood, salt, and soda glazing and firing techniques. For innovative and inspiring ways to approach wood, salt, and soda firing,
and the information you need to succeed, we’ve got you covered!
If you are looking for a repository of information on pottery making techniques, we have good news for you. You’ve hit the jackpot! From pinch pots to slip-cast sculpture, this section of Ceramic Arts Network has enough pottery making techniques
to satisfy just about anyone.
Handbuilding techniques are perhaps the most accessible pottery making techniques because they require little equipment more than your hands!
Here, we’ll share with you some great handbuilding techniques with step-by-step instruction from talented ceramic artists. If you are looking to try something new, or are just getting started with clay, you’ll find plenty to get excited
about in our archive of articles and videos on handbuilding techniques.
Is the wheel more your speed? We have a plethora of professional instruction from some of the best wheel throwers in the biz! If you are looking to improve or master wheel throwing techniques,
you’ll find articles and videos by professional potters in the Wheel Throwing Techniques section of Ceramic Arts Network. Find out why throwing on the potters wheel is one of the most addictive pottery making techniques out there.
Ceramic mold making opens up endless potential for the ceramic artist and we have a growing collection of posts and videos to help you master
it. From plaster to bisque, hump to slump, you’ll discover all you need to know to learn how to make and use ceramic molds here! You’ll also learn the ins and outs of making ceramic tiles…and keeping them flat! There is so much
you can do with ceramic tile and no matter what you are hoping to make, this archive with fill you with inspiration, as well as the tools you will need to be a success! Glazing and decorating is just as important a part of the pottery making process
as forming the pots, so we have those covered here too. In the Ceramic Glazing Techniques section, you’ll find a wide variety of ceramic glazing techniques, from using commercial brush-on glazes for ceramics or dipping pots in a glaze you
mixed up. In the Ceramic Decorating Techniques section, you’ll find everything from sgraffito in the greenware stage, to glaze trailing techniques for bisque.
Browse the topics below and click on the title of the area of interest to view all articles in that topic.
Ceramic Art and Artists
If you’re looking for the best information about ceramic art and contemporary ceramic artists, you’ve come to the right place! The ceramics field is thriving and Ceramic Arts Network brings you the highlights from the field.
Selected by the editors of Ceramics Monthly, Pottery Making Illustrated, and Ceramic Arts Daily, these posts feature some of the most talented contemporary ceramic artists working today. Learn about their methods and inspirations, as well as the challenges affecting contemporary ceramic sculptors and pottery artists. You’ll also enjoy poring over some of the best examples of ceramic sculpture and functional pottery being made today!
The world of contemporary ceramic sculpture is virtually limitless in scope. In these pages, you’ll be introduced to the clay sculpture artists who bring clay to life in ways you may never have imagined. You’ll learn that there are endless possibilities for expressing oneself through this medium. From the diminutive to the monumental, the figurative to the abstract, clay sculpture has it all. Possibly because it has been used for expression for so long, contemporary ceramic sculpture is the most diverse range of sculpture in existence.In our archives, you’ll see images of work by talented contemporary ceramic artists ranging from stunningly beautiful to rather unsettling. You can learn more about their clay sculpting techniques and their motivations. If sculpture is not your thing, and you are an aspiring or experienced studio potter, or even just a huge fan of handmade pottery, you’ll find loads of articles on contemporary pottery—there’s tons of how to information, but we also cover the “why to.” Whether you enjoy throwing on the potter’s wheel or handbuilding with molds or coils, you’ll find a treasure-trove of information on pottery techniques! Everything from the forming stage through the final glaze firing is covered. If you’re looking for easy-to-understand, step-by-step projects to give you both technical knowledge and inspiration, you’ll find it on Ceramic Arts Network! It’s like going to a pottery class or a workshop–we don’t miss any key steps!
Ceramic Artists
Ceramic Sculpture
Functional Pottery
Ceramic Glaze Recipes
Experimenting with ceramic glaze recipes is one of the most exciting and important ways to learn about ceramic materials! But glaze chemistry can be an overwhelming subject. That’s why we have a large section of Ceramic Arts Network dedicated to ceramic glaze recipes. Here, you’ll find everything from low-fire raku glaze recipes to high fire glaze recipes to use in the wood kiln!
Learning how different materials contribute to glazes and clay bodies is very important in expanding your abilities as a ceramic artist. In the Glaze Chemistry section, we’ve gathered a bunch of articles and information on glaze chemistry to help you understand this incredibly complex and fascinating subject. The best way to learn about ceramic glaze recipes and how the materials affect each other is to test, so browse these posts and then head to the studio and get testing!
Contrary to a once-popular belief, low fire glazing doesn’t mean boring results. Today some of the most beautiful pottery is being made at low temperature. If you would like to explore this temperature range check out the Low-Fire Glaze Recipes section of Ceramic Arts Network. You’ll discover a whole lot of information on making and using low fire glazes, from textured to matte, and from majolica to glossy transparent glazes. As always, you’ll also see full-color images of finished work glazed using these low fire glaze recipes.
Mid range firing is probably the most popular firing range today because the results are great and it is more environmentally friendly than high fire. In the mid-range glaze recipes section, you’ll find a ton of cone 6 ceramic glaze recipes as well as technical articles on mid-range firing. Many potters and ceramic artists choose to fire in the high-fire range because it produces the most vitreous and durable results. And most artists who fire to this range mix their own glazes. And many of them consult the High Fire Glaze Recipe section of Ceramic Arts Network to find new ceramic glaze recipes! Not only will you find a collection of high fire glaze recipes here, you’ll also read about methods and techniques for firing in the high fire temperature range.
Glaze Chemistry
High Fire Glaze Recipes
Low Fire Glaze Recipes
Mid-Range Glaze Recipes
Ceramic Supplies
Looking to learn all about the ceramic supplies you need in your studio? You’ve come to the right place. From ceramic colorants to ceramic glazes and underglazes, and raw materials to clay bodies, you’ll find information on all the essential ceramic supplies!
If you’ve delved into it at all, you know that creating ceramic color can be pretty confusing. Ceramic Colorants often look very different in their raw unfired state than they do when fired. We help you decipher all the ceramic colorant options available. Learning how to use ceramic colorants in glazes, slips, and clay will really help you to make your own mark on your work.
Commercial ceramic glazes and underglazes are probably the most popular ceramic supplies and there are so many options out there. The posts and videos in the Ceramic Glazes and Underglazes archives can help you discover which glazes and underglazes are right for you and all the exciting things you can do with them!
Today, potters and ceramic artists are fortunate because of their relatively easy access to ceramic raw materials. But understanding those raw materials and what they do at various firing temperatures is another thing. We have a plethora of information from experts on Ceramic Arts Network, which will help you to unravel the mysteries of ceramic raw materials. Of course, your clay body is the most important of the many ceramic supplies needed for pottery. Clay bodies are a mixture of clays and other ceramic raw materials formulated to give desired working characteristics. Our Pottery Clay topic area is designed to help you learn all the different types of pottery clay out there and figure out which one has the characteristics you are looking for. We also have instructions if you are planning to mix it yourself, and tips if you would like to go with a clay body from a supplier.
Ceramic Colorants
Ceramic Glazes and Underglazes
Ceramic Raw Materials
Pottery Clay
Ceramic Tools and Equipment
If you are new to ceramics and need to learn how to use clay tools, or if you’ve been making pots for a long time and like to see how other artists make their own clay tools, you’re in the right place. In this section of Ceramic Arts Network, you will learn all about ceramic decorating tools, wheel throwing tools, ceramic kilns and even how to make your own custom tools.
We have articles and information on the tools used for decorating ceramic work from ceramic artists of all level of experience. You’ll find out how they use store-bought, found or even handmade ceramic decorating tools to make their work their own. From traditional stamps to ceramic texture rollers, and brushes to screen printing to slip trailing, you’ll see that there is much more to decorating ceramics than dipping a pot into a bucket of glaze.
If you’re throwing pottery on the wheel, it is important to have the right tools at the right time. Most potters start out with the basic pottery tool kit that looks something like this: a sponge, a couple of wooden ribs, a metal rib, and a needle tool. But as you advance you discover myriad clay tools that can make your job easier or just be perfect for one very particular task. One of the best ways to discover these clay tools is to have a look through Ceramic Arts Network.
Not surprisingly, ceramic artists are very creative people when it comes to the tools they use to get the job done. Nothing is off limits as a potential clay tool and no clay tool has just one use. As evidence in these pages, you’ll see examples of clever homemade tools and techniques that you might never have thought of. From making your own custom throwing ribs,, all the way to building a homemade extruder, you’ll be amazed and inspired by what you find here. And what about the most important tool of all; the thing that changes your work from clay to ceramic: the kiln. From gas kilns to wood-fired kilns, there are a lot of options for firing your work and here you’ll find information on how to get the most out of your ceramic kiln no matter what option you choose.
Ceramic Decorating Tools
Ceramic Kilns
Making Clay Tools
Wheel Throwing Tools
Firing Techniques
Firing is the most important part of the ceramic process. It’s when clay turns from clay to ceramic after all. There are a multitude of ceramic firing techniques out there, and this section of Ceramic Arts Network explores just about all of them. With sections on Electric Kiln Firing, Gas Kiln Firing, Raku Firing, Salt/Soda Firing, and Wood Kiln Firing, we can help you find the right ceramic firing technique for your work!
Electric kilns are probably the most widely used kilns these days because they are relatively inexpensive to purchase and to use. Learn all about electric kiln firing techniques here. Amazing things can be created with electric kilns and these posts are a testament to that fact!
As for fuel burning kilns, gas kilns are the most popular of those. With gas firing, you can control the atmosphere your work is exposed to, which directly affects the final results of your glazes and clay bodies. In the Gas Kiln Firing section, you’ll learn about ceramic firing techniques in gas kilns from ceramic artists and potters who have been using them for years.
Raku firing is an irresistible ceramic firing technique because it involves removing red hot pots from the kiln and placing them in containers of combustible materials. Not only does it involve smoke and flames, but it also creates beautiful results. Learn all about it in the Raku Firing section of Ceramic Arts Network! And don’t forget atmospheric firing! Wood, salt, or soda firing are quite possibly the most exciting ceramic firing techniques. In these sections of Ceramic Arts Network, you’ll discover practical technical information, wood, salt, and soda glaze recipes, atmospheric slip recipes, and wood, salt, and soda glazing and firing techniques. For innovative and inspiring ways to approach wood, salt, and soda firing, and the information you need to succeed, we’ve got you covered!
Electric Kiln Firing
Gas Kiln Firing
Raku Firing
Salt Firing and Soda Firing
Wood Kiln Firing
Pottery Making Techniques
If you are looking for a repository of information on pottery making techniques, we have good news for you. You’ve hit the jackpot! From pinch pots to slip-cast sculpture, this section of Ceramic Arts Network has enough pottery making techniques to satisfy just about anyone.
Handbuilding techniques are perhaps the most accessible pottery making techniques because they require little equipment more than your hands! Here, we’ll share with you some great handbuilding techniques with step-by-step instruction from talented ceramic artists. If you are looking to try something new, or are just getting started with clay, you’ll find plenty to get excited about in our archive of articles and videos on handbuilding techniques.
Is the wheel more your speed? We have a plethora of professional instruction from some of the best wheel throwers in the biz! If you are looking to improve or master wheel throwing techniques, you’ll find articles and videos by professional potters in the Wheel Throwing Techniques section of Ceramic Arts Network. Find out why throwing on the potters wheel is one of the most addictive pottery making techniques out there.
Ceramic mold making opens up endless potential for the ceramic artist and we have a growing collection of posts and videos to help you master it. From plaster to bisque, hump to slump, you’ll discover all you need to know to learn how to make and use ceramic molds here! You’ll also learn the ins and outs of making ceramic tiles…and keeping them flat! There is so much you can do with ceramic tile and no matter what you are hoping to make, this archive with fill you with inspiration, as well as the tools you will need to be a success! Glazing and decorating is just as important a part of the pottery making process as forming the pots, so we have those covered here too. In the Ceramic Glazing Techniques section, you’ll find a wide variety of ceramic glazing techniques, from using commercial brush-on glazes for ceramics or dipping pots in a glaze you mixed up. In the Ceramic Decorating Techniques section, you’ll find everything from sgraffito in the greenware stage, to glaze trailing techniques for bisque.
Ceramic Decorating Techniques
Ceramic Glazing Techniques
Handbuilding Techniques
Making Ceramic Molds
Making Ceramic Tile
Wheel Throwing Techniques
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