“What are the best ceramic books for beginners?” You’ve caught the ceramic bug, and your thirst for knowledge is piqued! There is so much to learn: different techniques, new terminologies, different clays and processes, where do you begin? We know the excitement that comes from discovering the wonders of clay, and we’re here to help channel that enthusiasm! We’ve found 10 great books to get you started with your newfound passion, and to help build your burgeoning ceramics library. 

250 Tips, Techniques, and Trade Secrets for Potters: The Indispensable Compendium of Essential Knowledge and Troubleshooting Tips

by Jacqui Atkin, Bloomsbury Publishing 

This ultimate guidebook is filled with essential knowledge and troubleshooting tips for potters, providing expert advice at your fingertips. Whether you have burning ceramic questions or are facing some dilemmas, this compendium has got you covered. You’ll find detailed instructions, step-by-step photographs, and helpful diagrams to effortlessly navigate each stage of your pottery journey.

Uncover the art of improvising tools using everyday kitchen utensils, discover a shortcut to rolling coils, master the art of crafting the perfect spout, and learn a foolproof method for removing a vessel from the wheel without distorting it. Each section includes “try it” and “fix it” panels, providing suggestions to enhance your skills and steer clear of common mistakes.

The Ceramics Bible Revised Edition

By Louisa Taylor, Chronicle Books

No matter if you’re an experienced ceramic artist seeking a trustworthy reference book or a novice exploring beginner techniques, this is the go-to resource that will become a staple in your collection.

Filled with a wide array of stunning, full-color photographs showcasing the work of modern ceramics artists, this revised edition covers a wide range of topics, reflecting the evolving landscape of ceramics artistry, from leveraging social media for marketing to the innovative realm of 3D clay printing. It captures the technological advancements and social shifts that have influenced the methods and creations of contemporary ceramics artists.

The Ceramics Bible is a visual delight that seamlessly combines beauty and practicality. Whether adorning your living room coffee table or accompanying you in the workshop, this book effortlessly merges aesthetics with usability.

Studio: Wheel Throwing

By Emily Reason, Lark Books

Guided by talented artist Emily Reason, beginners embark on a creative journey through nine delightful projects, including crafting a mug, pitcher, teapot, and fluted baking dish. Beginning with the two foundational forms of a cylinder or bowl, Emily covers essential techniques such as centering, handle pulling, trimming, firing, and glazing. Throughout the book, color-coded bands direct readers to additional information on various techniques, while inspiring gallery sections ignite the imagination. Get ready to unleash your artistic potential and dive into the world of wheel-thrown ceramics!

Ceramics for Beginners: Animals & Figures

By Susan Halls, Lark Crafts

Through a wealth of helpful images, this approachable beginner’s manual unveils the secrets of crafting exquisite ceramic figures, both human and animal. Esteemed instructor Susan Halls expertly delves into four fundamental techniques: pinching, slab building, coiling, and dowel work. Discover how to skillfully shape a deep-bowled pot through pinching, and utilize this method to fashion a plump, adorable pig. With slab building, you can create captivating bird-relief tiles or transform a cherished family photograph into a delightful diorama.

Rich galleries showcasing a diverse range of ceramic masterpieces beautifully illustrate the creative potential inherent in each showcased technique. Get ready to embark on a thrilling journey into the realm of ceramic sculpture, where endless possibilities await your artistic exploration.

Once you’ve discovered your love for making figurative work and would like to push your skills even further, sign up for Beth Lo’s “Handbuilding Small Figures” workshop!

Pinch Your Pottery: The Art & Craft of Making Pinch Pots – 35 Beautiful Projects to Hand-form from Clay

By Jacqui Atkin, Quarry Books

Unleash your creativity and embark on a captivating journey into one of the oldest yet most captivating ceramic techniques. In this extraordinary collection of pinched projects, a skilled master potter presents this ancient art form with a fresh and contemporary approach.

Pinching allows for a direct and intimate interaction with clay, enabling the creation of a wide range of forms and styles. The projects presented in this book are both simple and small, requiring only a handful of tools and the dexterity of your own hands. It serves as an invitation to embark on a new ceramics adventure, exploring the realm of pinched ceramics. 

If you have a love of pinch pots, why not sign up for our workshop with Melissa Barker? She’ll help you master your pinch pot skills while making a fabulous and funky teapot!

Carve Your Clay: Techniques to Bring the Ceramics Surface to Life

By Hilda Carr, Quarry Books

Get ready to take your ceramic work to the next level with an array of interesting and inspired surface techniques. In Carve Your Clay, you’ll find 20 captivating projects that will guide you through the creative process step by step.

Discover the art of inlay, piercing, sgraffito, etching, relief carving, wire cutting, and more, all of which yield amazing and dynamic results. With author Hilda Carr as your guide, you’ll develop new skills and techniques while immersing yourself in her distinctive style. Each project is accompanied by clear step-by-step photography and easy-to-follow instructions, ensuring that you achieve beautiful outcomes every time.

Ready for some more advanced surface techniques? Why not check out Lisa Firer’s workshop “Texture in clay: Embossing and Debossing!”

The Ceramic Spectrum: A Simplified Approach to Glaze & Color Development

By Robin Hopper, American Ceramic Society

This book is the go-to resource for understanding glazes. Drawing upon his extensive research on glaze, color, texture, and surface enrichment, Hopper provides clarity and guidance that helps you demystify the complex subject of glazing. 

While the book contains over 500 tested recipes, its primary goal is not to be a mere recipe book but to encourage a creative approach to glaze and color development. It embraces the empirical methods used for thousands of years before mathematical equations and formulas came into play, empowering individuals to explore materials and develop their own glazes with excitement and ease. Suitable for both beginners and more experienced artists, this book serves as a course outline and a valuable research tool for understanding and achieving colors that may have seemed unattainable before.

As an excellent supplement to this book, sign up for Karen Kotze’s online course “Building Your Own Extensive Glaze Library” She’ll provide you with a breadth of knowledge that will increase your glazing confidence.

The Electric Kiln

By Harry Fraser, University of Pennsylvania Press

If you’re like many ceramic artists today, your first introduction to firing will likely be with an electric kiln. Learning to fire kilns can be daunting, but this comprehensive manual will set you out on the right course, covering everything you need to know about installing, operating, and maintaining an electric kiln. Written by Harry Fraser, a seasoned expert in the field, this book delves into the distinct features, advantages, and disadvantages of top-loading and front-loading kilns, as well as other kiln types. 

Fraser also explores the transformative effects of heat on clays, glazes, and pigments. What sets this handbook apart is its guidance on harnessing the electric kiln’s potential to achieve special effects like reduction, crystal glazes, and raku firing.

If you would like to delve further into this topic, check Ryan Rakhshan’s video workshop ‘How to Repair and Maintain your Electric Kiln”

Mastering Hand Building Techniques, Tips, and Tricks for Slabs, Coils, and More

By Sunshine Cobb, Voyageur Press

In Mastering Hand Building, Sunshine Cobb guides you on an exciting journey through the diverse world of hand building, from simple pinch pots to intricate coiled boxes and elegant soft slab tableware. This book covers all the essential skills needed to construct both basic and intricate forms using clay.

Beyond the foundational techniques, ceramic artists will discover a wealth of next-level tips and techniques. You’ll learn how to design templates and replicate pieces, create lidded vessels, explore the use of molds, and delve into various decorative methods. The book encourages exploration and provides avenues for artistic growth.

Featuring artist profiles and inspiring galleries, you’ll find the works of renowned contemporary artists whose creations serve as a source of inspiration and showcase the possibilities of hand building.

Setting Up Your Ceramic Studio: Ideas & Plans from Working Artists

By Virginia Scotchie, Lark Books

Whether you’re a ceramicist seeking ideas for your own studio or simply fascinated by the creative spaces of others, this book offers a wealth of inspiration and practical insights into the world of ceramics studios.

From efficient floor plans to practical equipment choices, Scotchie covers every aspect of setting up a new studio, including considerations for workflow, safety, lighting, electrical setup, ventilation, and even establishing a small business office. The photographs accompanying the text are not only excellent but also serve as a rich source of inspiration.

Scotchie also takes you on a captivating visual journey through ten stunning studio spaces, exploring the intricacies of each studio design, and revealing how they flawlessly cater to the unique needs of the artists. 

These ten ceramic books for beginners provide a fantastic starting point for anyone eager to dive into the world of ceramics. Whether you’re a complete novice or have some basic knowledge, we’re confident you’ll find valuable guidance and inspiration. From exploring hand building techniques to mastering glazes and surface decorations, each book caters to different aspects of ceramic art, ensuring there’s something for everyone. So grab a copy, pull up a comfy chair, and embark on an exciting journey of discovery and artistic expression. With these invaluable resources by your side, you’ll be well on your way to creating beautiful and meaningful ceramic pieces!

Do you have some favorite ceramics books that have helped you along the way, or that you come back to year after year? Why not share them with our community?