Lettering and carving courses
Weekends from April through to October, some midweek days, all listed in my shop
Available dates include : April 23/24, May 14/15, June 11/12,
Weekends and one day tasters. For dates head to my SHOP
I teach small groups of complete beginners the gentle craft of stone-carving. No experience or artistic ability needed, just enthusiasm and curiosity.
At the end of our time together you will be amazed at what you have created! Discover how relaxing and satisfying it is to work in stone.
The ultimate escape from modern cares and an antidote to our screen-based experience.
“The world always seems brighter when you just made something that wasn’t there before. ”
Carving with Cake! - and home-made soup, bread, coffee……….
Patient guidance throughout from experienced teacher, beginning with the tools
Sketching your design, having a shot, making mistakes, carving!
Lettering a speciality - raised or incised
Beautiful scenic location easily accessible from the A68, 40 miles south of Edinburgh
Plenty of fresh air - we work outside weather permitting
If you don’t have a project in mind I can suggest something
Small numbers mean dedicated tuition
A Typical Day:
9.30 - Arrive at my rustic workshop for a welcome coffee and chat about your project
10.00 - Tool and safety talk (including Covid stuff)
10.15 - Look at examples of carvings, lettering
10.30 - Demonstration of carving or lettering
10.45 - Choose a stone and try out the chisels on the back
11.00 - Sketch your design, start work.
12.30 - Lunch - home-made soup outside with a view of the local extinct volcano and a fire to warm us by
1.15 - Continue your carving project
3.00 - tea break - cake!
Work till 4.30
Although carving and lettering are not heavy work they do require concentration and we will have plenty of fresh air. At the end of the day, you will be satisfyingly tired.
It is possible to achieve something wonderful in just a morning!
“To practice art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow. So do it.”
Carving in stone is………….
Relaxing
Fun
Meditative and refreshing
NOT heavy work
Grounds you in the here and now
Gives an immense sense of achievement
Possible for everyone
Cancellation policy
Cancellation up to a month before the course is possible with a refund minus admin fees charegd by my online shop supplier. If you can’t make a date I can usually find a date that does suit .
Of course in the event of unforseen circumstances it is possible to reschedule or refund at any time- sometimes life happens…
Although the pandemic is over please don’t come if you are ill or infectious, again I am happy to reschedule.
“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.”
Below is all work by people on my courses, either day or weekend, almost all are complete beginners!
“I enjoyed my weekend, it was my favourite birthday present ever! I have always wanted to do a letter cutting course and I am so glad John found you to teach us. The setting of your workshop in the countryside was such a treat, being surrounded by lots of your work and stone, the sun and being able to work outside. Your delicious soups and flapjacks, coffee & tea. In all a perfect experience.”
Costs
Day of Carving - £110 per person
A one day course including use of tools, stone and all refreshments. You just need to bring yourself, your enthusiasm and wear warm working clothes and stout shoes.
Discount for weekends and longer
£200 per person for a weekend carving workshop.
Gift vouchers available
Treat someone to the experience of stone crafting, the perfect gift for a special occasion.
Please note that the courses are suitable only for children aged 10 years and older.
With over 20 years of experience in stone carving and 5 years in teaching, I will guide you through a relaxing and absorbing ancient craft.
For a list of dates and courses head to my course bookings tab or press book here - I am also open to suggestions for dates if you have a group of 2 or more- fill out the contact me sheet to enquire.
Thank you for a wonderful day yesterday. I absolutely loved it and may well come back again for another go sometime - Sue July 2024
Thank you so much for the stone carving day, I loved every minute of the experience - Diane
Light touch teaching but plenty of friendly advice and support along the way. PLUS - I was blown away by the results!
Madeleine, July 2024
thank you again for a great day yesterday. I was very encouraged by your enthusiasm and your belief that my erratic drawing of the number 20 was better that the stenciled outline I started with. You gave us permission to get it wrong by favoring our own creativity over book-learned patterning and I hope that you believe that the results reflected the confidence that you inspired.
……the intimacy of the small group of just three students and your diligent training-by-encouragement was both charming and surprisingly effective; I learned a great deal at the class and I look forward to my next experience with you.
The lunch was great and the formal and informal chats were inspirational and I know that my fellow students share my view on that. Your equipment was first class, there was plenty of it and the chisels were all sharp!
John 2024