Clay Art for All Seasons: A Guide to Soft Clay Art

Stunning art instruction from a gifted artist is how to describe this instructional and visually beautiful book. Yukiko Miyai is a brilliant artist who has written a most inclusive tome on how to use soft clay and transform it into spectacular flowers and floral arrangements.I first saw her on a recent episode of The Martha Stewart Show and she was displaying the incredible lifelike floral peices that she made using soft clay. In and of itself, soft clay is a great medium, but to be able to mold it and arrange it and ply it into bouquets of flowers bursting with colors is where the title of "artist" comes about. The arrangements she created looked real, and that's the beauty of knowing how to mold and shape this clay.To begin, getting a hold of a copy of this book required Herculean efforts. Amazon initially didn't have this, so I placed myself on the waiting list. In trying the local bookstore giants, I had to place my name on their waiting list as well. Fortunately, there was a brief window of availability from our friends here at Amazon, and I seized it, and the book, but it's become "unavailable" once again. Therefore my advice is when you see a copy anywhere, grab it! If all other avenues fail, you could try the Deco Art website, and purchase directly from the company.The book itself is hardcover with a spiral spine. The layout and look is soft and pastel, as are all the breathtaking arrangements. The photography is superb, detailed, and all shots are close-up. You will have a hard time realizing that what you're looking at, is what can be transformed from clay. The education you will receive begins.......INTRODUCTION: Yukiko describes how her gifted mother began this art form through years of trial and error until she found the right consistency of this medium. Then her mom began classes and workshops and as Yukiko grew up, she learned and expanded this art form to where it is today.GETTING STARTED: Basic materials, tools, and other materials.WORKING WITH THE CLAY: How to use the basic techniques to shape the clay and make the stems and leaves, as well as how to attach the flowers to the stems.COLOR MIXING: How to take basic colors of clay and by incorporating other colors with it, in small amounts, make primary and pastel colors.FLOWERS: Through the use of molds, the real fun begins with making roses, plumeria, daffodils, gerbera daisies, lilacs, hibiscus, peonies, orchids, stephanotis, pakalana (for lei's), calla lilies, poinsettia's, long stem roses, decorative topping for a gift box, decorated eggs, a "basket", chicks and bunnies, lei's, haku lei's (for wearing as a crown), hand-tied bouquets (one of my favorites), a "dress" for a shadow box, pumpkins, trick or treat bag, wreaths, and Santa ornaments.Each of these projects have step-by-step photographs with detail so there is plenty of direction; it would be hard to error. And again, the arrangements are so spectacular, you will be quite please with your efforts, when they turn out just like the photograph.And all the tools and products you need can be purchased easily through the company, and its website, which is located in Hawaii. So you would be hardpressed to find an excuse not to attempt these gorgeous projects, though they are time-intensive. Actually, if you could become skilled enough to make these lifelike clay bouquets, the possiblility of a business that caters to those who would like to keep their flowers and bouquets (brides for one) would be a good one.Enjoy the fun ! Peace!

I got this book to help me with cake flowers using fondant, since it is similar to clay. Some of the instructions can be alittle advanced but Yukiko has many u tube videos to help fill in the gaps. Also having had some experience working with fondant helps with some of this as well. Fondant is not at strong as clay and at times you must allow it to firm up between steps that may not be necessary with clay.

Nice book, wish it had more in it. I am just learning to use air dry-able clay. Was looking for more info.

This book is awesome. It's laid out very well and thoughtful, including spiral bound pages inside the hardcover. The pictures are very self explanatory.

Good instructional book, easy to follow instruction with great pictures. Lots of valuable information especially for a beginner in clay art.

Easy instructions with beautiful photography. One of the best books on clay art/cold porcelain in my opinion. Too bad the recommended clay is not available in my home country. Importing it is not very cost effective.

This book is just beautiful!!!! It is awe inspiring. Wonderful photos and great instructions!!! An inspiration for all!!!

Beautiful book with great examples and clear instructions. It was everything I hoped for.

Nice pics, great to follow

74 pages couleur, peu de modèles mais plein de photos,explication de matériel employé,le mélange de couleur primaires pour obtenir les différentes nuances,réalisations pas à pas de tous les modèles.Des roses aussi vraies que nature,gerberas,lilas, hibiscus,pivoines, orchidées,et le bouquet d'stéphanotis de la couverture sublime et autres tel un Père Noël en fin d'ouvrage qui vous donnent envie de s'y mettre à travailler tout de suite la pâte polymère.Il faut dire qu'au début il faut y avoir une certaine dextérité pour la fabrication de telles mignardises, que l'on y parvient tout de même ,mais au bout de quelques efforts à obtenir quelques unes de ces oeuvres d'art, car elles le sont.Mais il vaut la peine car le résultat est stupéfiant.C'est du moins ce que je constate en feuilletant ce livre magnifique d'auteure japonaise, que semble touchée par la grâce, tellement ses réalisations sont empreintes de délicatesse et raffinement.Les résultats sont admirables,même si les modèles ne sont pas abondants, lorsqu'on maîtrise la technique on peut réaliser toute sorte de fleurs.Le modèle de couverture m'a inspiré et je ne suis pas deçue, mais si satisfaite que je conseille l'achat aux amoureux de la pâte polymère et des créations florales.

Very good

Very helpful... Especially the colour mixing... But a bit too expensive for just 75 pages... It would be nice if they add from where we can buy the clay ...

Einfach nur schön!! Man kann sich gar nicht vorstellen, dass diese Blumen nicht echt sind!Für mich eine Anregung und Herausforderung dies mit Flowerpaste zu probieren.