Mastering Sculpture: The Figure in Clay: A Guide to Capturing the Human Form for Ceramic Artists (Mastering Ceramics)

A well organized, very well written book, and without a doubt a tool I’ll be referring back to on a regular basis as I try out Cristina’s pattern and slab technique. I’m only a few years into my practice and feel that the techniques in this book are what I’ve been missing to reach that next level of my practice, aiding me in streamlining and building the base forms more quickly and efficiently. The gallery of artists’ work, as well as featured artists and their insights into working with clay and the creative process is a nice touch, and very inspiring. I’ve taken a few of the author’s online classes and she’s a very thorough and excellent teacher, top notch, just like her work, and this excellence is also present in her book. What a gift she is to all of us, and a generous artist, to share with us her gathered wisdom through the decades of her practice. One might wonder if there is something new or unique to learn from purchasing a book on sculpting the figure, other than the basics, especially if you’re past the stage of beginner—I believe this book is one that will not disappoint, no matter what stage of the sculpting journey one is in.

It’s a great book to get your feet wet into the sculpting world if you haven’t done it professionally before. Very approachable.

Outstanding practical instructional materal. For working with water based clay that can be fired - from Getting Started, through materials, tools, parts, assembling, firing. Full of tips, insights, photos, and even templates for a 25" standing figure study project. See her inspiring work on youtube also. Although the book is not aimed at "oil based" modeling clay that can not be fired in a kiln, many of the principles, and the wealth of information, and photos of her work and other artist's work can be applied to sculpting / modling the figure in general. The hard bound book is a high quality binding, photos, lovely book and has plenty of good general sculpting informtion.

I learned so much from this book!! I highly recommend anyone considering figural sculpture to check it out.

This is a noce book to add to my collection of art books. It was nice to flip through and see the different sculpting techniques and such. I do not work with clay much but it reminds me that I should.

Good

Excellent reference!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Both for its explicit instructions and inspiration. More detailed then most hand building books. A must have resource.

Mi máxima admiración para Cristina

The artist is a real tutor. Thanks for very detailed explanations, photos and templates.

Good resource or reference for sculpture of the figure

Bem didático dentro do tema que se propõe, a representação realista do corpo. O mais interessante é que não é modelagem, mas construção com placas de argila.

Cordova is so easy to understand and explains her technique so well. Makes learning this type of sculpting much easier.