Where to Start with Marylin Scott
Marylin Scott is a professional artist who trained at the Guildford School of Art and the Royal Academy of Painting in London. She is best known in the ceramics world for The Potter’s Bible, an illustrated reference that has introduced countless beginners to pottery since its publication in 2006. Scott’s approach is practical and visually driven, making complex techniques accessible through clear step-by-step photography. She works across multiple media, but her contribution to ceramic education through this single, comprehensive volume has made her a trusted name for anyone picking up clay for the first time.
Start here
The Potter's Bible
Marylin Scott · 192 pages · 2006 · Easy
Themes: pottery basics, hand-building, wheel throwing, glazing, kiln firing, clay types
The definitive beginner’s reference for pottery, covering every major technique from hand-building to wheel throwing, glazing, and firing. Scott’s visual, step-by-step approach makes this the book most often recommended to people who want to learn ceramics from scratch.
Why Start Here
The Potter’s Bible earns its name by covering the full breadth of the craft in a single, well-organized volume. Scott walks you through clay types (earthenware, stoneware, porcelain), forming methods (pinching, coiling, slab construction, wheel throwing), surface decoration (sgraffito, stamping, burnishing), glazing, and firing. Each technique is illustrated with clear photographs that show the key moments rather than overwhelming you with unnecessary steps.
The spiral binding means you can lay the book flat on your workbench, which is exactly how you will use it. This practical touch reflects the book’s overall approach: everything is designed for someone who is actually working with clay, not just reading about it.
What to Expect
At 192 pages, this is substantial enough to serve as a reference you return to as your skills grow, but approachable enough to read cover to cover as a beginner. Scott also covers workspace setup, tool selection, and kiln basics, saving you from the common mistakes that come with starting a new craft without guidance. Published in 2006, the fundamentals have not changed.