Jim Robison is the author of our Large-scale

Ceramics handbook, he is very well-known as a slab builder, and has

made many public works using textured tiles and slab

constructions. He is also very involved in the Aberystwyth Ceramics Conference and always hosts many of the demonstrations.

Ian Marsh is a ceramic artist, photographer and is chair of the Northern Potters

Association.

Although this is essentially a very simple subject, slabs can be used to

make the most basic of forms to the most complex. This broad approach

to slab work shows a wide variety of building methods and shows the

work of many high-profile ceramic artists in this area. The book

explores and explains most of these methods through step-by-step images

and text, using a varied range of both pots and sculpture. There are

often several techniques that could be used to achieve the same result and this book shows that no one method is

correct, but there will be one which is appropriate for the potter, the

clay and the firing process. The reader is encouraged to experiment and develop their own ideas.

The book covers all the basics, such as making your slabs and

joining well, simple building methods, use of supports, creating

textures, decorating with slips and ways to avoid disasters during

firing. It also looks at many innovative and original approaches, as

well as building

large-scale pieces and the problems associated with it. The book aims

to encourage the reader to experiment and find

the methods most suited to them, while fantastic images of finished

work are

offered to show what is possible.

Although this is essentially a very simple subject, it can be used to

make the most basic of forms to the most complex. This broad approach

to slab work shows a wide variety of building methods and shows the

work of many high-profile makers in this area.