Wellbeing: Relief Stone Carving – Birds & Animals

Suitable for all adults and young people 16 years or over – no experience required.

Our natural world has provided inspiration for stone sculptors to produce beautiful artworks since prehistoric times. In this course you will make a relief stone carving of a bird or animal in a UK sourced limestone, working over five Tuesday evenings.

You’ll use hand tools to carve a multi layered image onto a tablet of stone 20 x 20cm. You are welcome to bring a design drawing or image with you – your tutor will discuss the suitability of these and help you to ensure they are practical for carving. This is not essential though – prepared patterns and photos for inspiration will be available for anyone who needs an idea.

• A brief introduction to bird and animal carvings from around the world
• Setting out the design on the stone
• Using a flat chisel and point clear away the background
• Creating the illusion of depth and overlapping shapes
• Making textures with a claw chisel
• Using a riffler to smooth your design and add detail.

This is a practical, hands-on class with a supportive atmosphere, suitable for beginners with an interest in art or who are used to working with their hands. Please note this course does not include letter cutting. Suitable for adults and young people 16 years or over. 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.

Materials
Stone, tools, and safety equipment will be provided. Please bring an apron and wear old clothes and stout shoes which cover your toes and protect your feet.
You are welcome to bring along your own design.

Tutor
Amanda Randall

Dates
5 weeks from 20 February 2024
20, 27 February 5, 12, 19 March