Stone Carving 6 Week Course

LOST IN STONE CARVING EVENING CLASSES 

There’s something very tangible and satisfying about leaving your mark on stone, it’s something people have been doing for thousands of years. Today stone carving is one of those crafts that can bring a wide range of benefits, both creative and wellbeing and our evening classes aim to make it as accessible as possible to people in West Cumbria.

Lost in Stone has partnered with The Settlement to develop an introduction to stone carving which is suitable for beginners or those who may have had a go before. Small group sizes will ensure a high level of one to one support and over a period of 6 evenings you will learn the techniques needed create your own unique carving.

About the Tutor

Tony Crellin was born and bred in Maryport and has been stone carving since the early 90’s. He creates unique carvings and sculptures inspired by both nature and West Cumbria’s long and varied history.

Tony carves a variety of stone types but Inevitably returns to the red sandstone that Maryport and much of West Cumbria is built from. His work includes private and public commissions and recently he has completed voluntary commissions for the Senhouse Museum ( wild boar relief carving) and for the new Maritime Museum ( small replacement architectural carving).

Tony created Lost in Stone in 2023 as a ‘vehicle’ to promote his work and has been running stone carving courses since 2024. As an experienced tutor Tony is firmly of the view that individuals, given the right support, can achieve more than they might think; a high level of one to one support is key to his approach to teaching stone carving.

Find out more at https://lostinstone.co.uk/courses/ or follow on facebook https://www.facebook.com/lost.in.stone.2024 or instagram lost_in_stone

About the Course

Course Aim

The course aim is the same regardless of whether you decide to join purely as a one off activity or as the possible start of a new hobby, in simple terms the course will enable you to create a stone carving to be proud of.

The course has been designed to help individuals get the most out of this introduction to stone carving and help will be provided at each stage to help you complete your carving. The course will focus on relief carving; the basic course structure is outlined below;

Pre Course Preparation : Thinking about a project

Some people might already have a clear idea what they would like to carve, others might need a few ideas.

It’s absolutely fine if you feel you need to start the course before being able to settle on a style and subject matter. It would, however, be useful if you could use the time before the the first evening to think about what you might like to carve. Please note carving templates will be available if you’d rather select from an existing design; the choice is your.

Evening Class 1

The evening will focus on introducing you to the ‘tools of the trade’. You’ll learn basics techniques through a series of carving exercises designed teach you key ‘does and don’t’ ( to help you make a confident start on your own project). Individuals will also have chance to have a one to one with the tutor to discuss and finalise their proposed carving project.

Evening Class 2

You’ll start by transferring your design onto the stone before beginning the process of carving the rough form/outline of your design.

Evening Classes 3-6

The focus on evening classes 3 to 6 will be on working on and completing your carving. Everyone will be supported to carve at their own pace with one to one tuition as an when required.

What’s Provided

• Tuition and tools for the duration of the course.
• Personal Protective Equipment to include dust masks, ear plugs and protective safety glasses.

What you’ll need to Bring

Stone carving can be a dusty affair so old clothes, overalls or an old apron are useful. Please not you’ll be standing* for the majority of each evening classes so comfortable footwear is advisable. The course is taught outside but undercover.

* it’s best to carve standing up so that you can easily move around to check your carving from different angles etc. provision can however be made for those who may need to be seated

Cost and numbers

The course will be limited to 6 - 7 people and will cost £200. So booking early when tickets go on sale is essential.