2 comments about Porcelain (Ceramics Handbooks).

1. This is an invaluable book for anyone wanting to learn about the properties and working qualities of this unique material. Special handling and a slightly different approach is needed to be successful. This book prepares the reader and contributes greatly to success. These Ceramic Handbooks are an excellent series and I would encourage anyone beginning or even considering using porcelain to read and own it. The information is both chemical and practical leaving the reader with a comprehensive knowledge not found in other books .This is just the book I was looking for and pairs beautifully with another in the series titled .......Coloring Clay by Jo Connell.



2. In this informative book, Jack Doherty explores the special qualities of porcelain for the studio artist. Filled with inspiring photos and loads of good information this is a great book if you are thinking about working with porcelain.

2 comments about The Materials and Methods of Sculpture.

1. While I am not qualified to pass judgement on sculpture as far as methods of actually creating works of art,as a art foundry owner,I have reasonable background in usage of diferent materials connected with sculpture. I found this book to be of rather limited use to anyone seeking information on materials in use today. Almost all refererences are very dated and may be considered useful if a study of yesteryear's practices are intended.It appears to me,that information on various metals and their processing in particullar is more or less imprecise and in some cases wrong altogethrer-for example:to aneal common aluminium alloy to "pink" heat means going past melting point!To sum up,if you intend to learn current practices, go elsewhere.



2. This is a very good technical reference manual on the various types of sculpture mediums (including earth-clays, plastic, plaster of paris, casting, metal, stone, wood, and others). It goes into very specific detail on the metalurgic, chemical, and physical composition of the various mediums. I am just learning about sculpture but since I have a chemistry/engineering background I found the book very informative. This book will probably be difficult for those without a true passion to learn this much technical detail or without some solid science coursework.

No comments about The Limewood Sculptors of Renaissance Germany.

No comments about The Big Book of Salt and Pepper Shaker Series (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

No comments about Alberto Burri: Mitchell-innes & Nash-new York-2007.

3 comments about Ice Carving Made Easy (Hospitality, Travel & Tourism).

1. I am just thankfull that I personally didn't have to cough up the forty someodd bucks paid for this. The title should read "Money from an Ice Carving Book - Made Easy". Some nice pictures, but zero substance. Most of the template drawings are not even in the proper ratio for a 300lb carving block. And how about this for step by step instruction: 1. Prepare your graph 2. Lay the ice on a piece of Styrofoam. 3. With a saw, remove any ice not required. 4. Shape out the tail and wings. 5. Smooth out the detail. 6. Finish the base. That's it! No kidding! Real helpful eh?! I guess the best way to learn to carve ice is to just get ice and practice. This book certainly isn't going to give you any help, tips or secrets - that's for sure!



2. From a realistic point of view, the book doesn't help a whole lot. Unless you are a japanese master, you will struggle with the vague instructions. The pictures are very nice, but that's about it.



3. The author makes good use of templates and photographs, however the written instructions are very vague and not very helpful.(i.e. carve the head, shape the wing, etc.)

No comments about The First Book of Origami (Bushido--The Way of the Warrior).

1 comments about Fashion and Fiction: Dress in Art and Literature in Stuart England (Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in Britis).

1. Fabulous book. Wonderful photos. Most students of Stuart fashion have probably seen most of these illustrations, but the details are fabulous and the text chock full of relevant and revelatory reference material. Extremely beautiful book.

3 comments about Tin Craft: A Workbook.

1. Good book, well written, and has a lot of practical information one can use. I will be using much of what I read in my craftwork. I would buy it again, but I have one now.



2. while the professional Editorial Review / Book Description indicates otherwise ("venture off to your local grocery store, purchase a six-pack of soda pop, return home, empty the soda pop in the kitchen sink and begin your lifelong obsession") this book has no hints about how to make those cool, colorful crafts that we've seen in import stores using "wonderful colors and shiny surfaces of easily available commercial cans", again quoting the professional book review.
   
   if you really need this, a book with such basic instructions, you will also need an adult to help you open the cans, flatten them, and curl the ends.
   
   what a disappointment!



3. Its the best tin can book in the whole world and I love it with my hole heart. This book helped me to make different arts out of tin even thought I am a poor crafts person! Its a must have!!!!

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.