Introduction to Stone Carving: simple flowers and leaves

Suitable for adults and young people 16 years or over.

Release your creativity, unwind and learn an absorbing skill as you carve an attractive botanical design in Portland limestone using flowers and leaves as an inspiration, working over four Tuesday evenings.

You’ll use hand tools to make a simple relief image with a textured background. Prepared patterns and design inspirations will be provided which are suitable for beginners and experienced carvers alike – for example, a monstera leaf, echinacea flower, ginko biloba or an oak leaf and acorn.

You are welcome to bring along pictures or design sketches for a tablet of stone 20 x 20cm if you would like, but please keep it simple. Avoid overlapping shapes and make the image as large as possible. Roses are tricky! Amanda will discuss the suitability of your designs and help you to ensure they are practical for carving.

This is a practical, hands-on class with a friendly and supportive atmosphere, suitable for beginners with an interest in art or anyone who enjoys working with their hands, as well as people with some experience of stone carving. You do not need any particular skills, simply the ability to hold tools in both hands- a chisel in one, and a dummy (stonemason’s hammer) in the other.
Please note this course does not include letter cutting.

• designing your relief
• discover examples of botanical stone carving – Jude Tucker and Southwell Minster
• using a flat chisel to set out your design
• creating the illusion of depth with curves and slopes
• making textures with a claw chisel
• using a riffler to smooth your design and add detail.

Materials & Costs (provided to the students)
Stone, tools, and safety equipment will be provided and are included in the cost.

Materials (required by the students)
Please bring an apron and wear old clothes and stout shoes which cover your toes and protect your feet.

Tutor
Amanda Randall is a sculptor who creates abstract stone carvings inspired by plants and fungi.