Created for Art/Ceramic and Studio Foundations courses at the undergraduate level. Written by a world-renowned ceramist and leading expert in the field, this introductory book describes the initial processes of handbuilding, wheel throwing, plaster mold making, decoration, glaze application and firing techniques in a simple, easy-to-follow narrative. Strictly for the beginning ceramic student, it offers rich pictorial guidance throughout, both inspiring and instructing students with 500 full color photographs of processes and clayworks. It includes a pictorial timeline of ceramic art history; and exposes students to a gallery of ceramic art, from traditional to avant garde.