No comments about The Encyclopedia of Sculpting Techniques: A Unique Visual Directory, With Step-By-Step Instructions and a Gallery of Finished Works (Encyclopedia).

3 comments about Discoveries: Rodin (Discoveries (Abrams)).

1. Although largely biographical, it covers most of his important pieces and their impact on his life and the art of that era. But, what I love about the book are the beautifully written prose of (the poet) Rainer Maria Rilke and his commentary about particular pieces, that can't be found in print elsewhere. Particularly striking is Rilke's commentary on Rodin's The Burghers of Calais in the first several pages, which gives a dynamic piece its true emotional content. This is what makes this small book unique. Coffee table sized books on Rodin will give more satisfying visual reproduction of Rodin's works and probably provide more critical commentary on the meaning of individual works, but this small book does have rather unusual content. It has sections in the back on the lost wax technique and excerpts of letters and interesting photographs of Rodin at work in his studio and imposing his enormous ego over the works that made him one of the most important sculptors since antiquity.



2. A very interesting biography on rodins work and his personel life and how this, through the path of time reflected in his work. Although laking in criticle views and historical context of what his influenses were (apart from that of Michelangelo)it did mention the possible influence that Camille Claudel had on him.



3. I have dozens of books on Rodin and this is one of my favorites. Great, though small, photographs, concise text and even a nifty section in the back of the book with copies of letters to Rodin as well as a thoughtful explanation of the bronze casting and transfer to marble processes. It's inexpensive and compact as well. Excellent!

No comments about Clay: The Potter's Wheel.

1 comments about David Smith: Sculpture and Drawings (Art & Design).

1. This is a great survey of David Smith's career. It has both color and black and white photographs of pieces from just about every different major stage of his carreer (except the Medals For Dishonor). It also has good but brief biographical information, and perhaps most outstanding is the heap of articles, transcribed talks, and interviews interspersed throughout the book, which are tremendously informative about his philosophy and development. The book does suffer for being too broad and not really covering in depth any of his stages or series. Expect, therefore, a couple pictures of the Voltron series, maybe two Tanktotems, a handful of Cubi, etc... Another frustration is that most of the paintings are in black and white, as well as a number of the painted sculptures; it is helpful but unsatisfying that the captions tell the reader what colors are used! The book is likely overpriced, being worth maybe fifty or sixty dollars, but given a real lack of material on Smith, this may be the best accesible option.

No comments about Thing.

3 comments about The Spirit of Clay: A Classic Guide to Ceramics.

1. This is one of my favorite books that has ever been written about clay! Art is not just about skill, it is about heart and soul, and this book addresses that from the very first paragraph.
   
   * Covers technique from handbuilding to refined throwing
   * Tons of information about glazing, firing and making
   * Written with the emotional side of the artist in mind
   
   If you are just beginning in clay, boy are you in for a treat! This book is the only clay book I have ever come across that up front deals with the idea that art is not just a bunch of techniques that we are trained to use, or an assortment of skills that we mix in some kind of a recipe- instead Robert Piepenburg recognizes from the first page that artists are soul driven people, looking to make what is in their heart visible.
   
   "I now know that clay can be a fertile growing ground of the spirit. I 've seen this same spiritual birthing scenario occur time and time again with students of min who were new to clay. What I didn't know then, but have come to know now, is that you don't actually find your self with clay...you make yourself with clay." ~Robert Piepenburg -from introduction of The Spirit of Clay
   
   The author is a teacher, so if you are a teacher, you will relate to the various exercises and experiments in clay. If you are just learning clay, you will have fun just plunging in and experiencing clay!



2. This is absolutely the best book on pottery/clay that I have read. It is clearly written, thorough and most of all inspirational. Scott Piepenburg weaves the importance of the reader's personal and spiritual self in relation to working with clay with easy to follow instructional text. Highly recommended!



3. Very well written, complete coverage of contempory craft ceramics. It's the one book I keep going back to. Nice discussion of the emotional/spiritual side of creating in clay which most books ignore. Excellent presentation graphically & visually too.

1 comments about Jade for you: Value guide to fine jewelry jade.

1. What Mr. John Y Ng has done is simply to provide lovers of fine jadeite(amateur and professional alike) a guide to judging and selecting the finest jewelry quality jade. In these dark times of jade coloring it is a necessity to have a volume such as this. Rare, with only 300 copies printed, it is indispensible. The superb pictures, including a color "wheel" for exact comparisons makes this volume worth its weight in...jadeite! Highest Recommendation.

3 comments about Chip Carving: Techniques & Patterns.

1. I was not impressed with this book in the least. Maybe it was because I had just finished reading Chris Pye's book Wood Carving Tools Marerial & Equipment. Now this book is about another form of carving but it is many times superior in handling its topic.

   An example is in Barton's book he covers wood selection, and finishing in roughly 2 pages in Pye's book he covers the material in 40 pages covering the issue in far greater detail.
   
   This book contains very little instruction (less than 1/5 of the pages). There are a few illustations on technique but they are very lacking.
   
   Now if you are really interested in looking at examples of completed work or you just need some templates for lettering, then this is your book. There is also a section detailing how to scribe out various rosette forms.

   Overall, I can not recommend this book as a "technique" book but it makes a good book to use for the templates and rosettes.




2. I learned to chip carve from reading this book. The patterns and work shown are somewhat simple and are easily attainable. Barton's descriptions and explainations are clear and if you follow what he does, it inspires enough confidence to continue.



3. A good basic book about chip carving. Covers selection of wood, tools and their maintenance, technique, and a brief history of chip carving. Also includes a variety of patterns.

No comments about Collecting American 19th Century Silver.

3 comments about Old English Tile Designs for Artists and Craftspeople (Dover Pictorial Archive Series).

1. This is an informative book loaded with many, many nice, easy designs to replicate or gain ideas from. Some of the illustrations seem rudimentary and uneven, not professionally finished, but if you can overlook that fact and "crisp up" or perfect the drawings yourself it would be a great asset to your collection.
   Otherwise, I like this book and will refer to it many times in the future.



2. As the Master of the Saint Caitlin's Guild of Hairy Potters, I have been teaching classes in the crafts of the Middle Ages, including the making of the tiles in the retro Quire at Winchester. This handy little volume allows the copying of designs for everyone in the class, with a range of easy to difficult, and scaled to produce four inch tiles allowing for clay shrinkage.
   All my work is done for me. All I have to do now . . .is teach.



3. There are 150 floor tile designs from medieval cathedrals and monasteries rendered in black&white. Lots of animals, dragons, griffins, and fleur-de-lis. There are also face images of kings, jesters, etc.

   All designs are shown in decent (maybe actual?) tile size (around 4-5 inches square), as well as in groups of four (or more if required), to show how repeats would work. All designs are very bold and simple, but amazing when placed in repeat.

   Nice designs for beginning tile makers to use, since the designs can be easily worked in clay. Well worth the cost of the book.