24 Stone Crafts courses

Our classes are friendly open & flexible in their scope, covering all aspects of stone carving for all skill levels.

The West Riding Stonecarving Association Stonecarvingassociation.org Facebook-Stonecarvingassociation

STONE CARVING MADE A RETURN TO THE PHOENIX LAST YEAR WHEN WE WELCOMED MARK STONESTREET TO COME TEACH US THE JOYS OF CREATING FREE-STANDING ABSTRACT SCULPTURE. IT WAS AN ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC COURSE! This year Mark is coming back for more and this time we’re giving the students more stone to create with and more time – 5 days to be precise! The dusty nature of stone means that we will be working under a marquee set within the studio’s beautiful meadow – what better way to spend your summer – especially when none of us can go abroad? Outside of a global pandemic, Mark spends half the year creating sculpture in the South Downs and the other half in Mamallapuram in India – a village of over 200 stone carving workshops. His life is in stone and I liked him the instant we met. He is everything you would expect a stone carver to be – sturdy, weathered (meant in the nicest possible way, I promise Mark!) with a warm, no-nonsense personality that immediately puts you at ease. Our students are in safe hands working with him and I cannot wait to see what they will achieve this year! 23/08/2021 - 27/08/2021 10:00 am - 4:30 pm Location: The Phoenix Studio This fun course includes: * Informal, relaxed & attentive guidance for every student, provided by Mark Stonestreet * Step-by-step demonstrations covering… * * How to work with the tools and stone safely, * How to create an abstract design that will look good and have structural integrity, * How to transfer your design to the stone and carve into it efficiently to create the basic shape, * How to add detail and refine the carved form, * How to finish and present the form (looking at finishes, treatment, and mounting).   This course is for you if: * You want to realise drawings and 2D designs into 3D or have an introduction to visualizing your ideas in 3D * You want to explore your creativity but lack the confidence to do so on your own * You want to learn how to work safely and competently in stone * You want to get away from it all and immerse yourself in a fun, creative environment  Suitable for? Anyone, but please note that you will be using a chisel and mallet throughout the three days and this will take it’s toll on your arms and body. We generally limit the age to 16 years old+ though exceptions can be made where appropriate. Please contact James Orts and ask.   What is included in the price? * Five full days tuition (10 am-4.30 pm) * Materials, including a piece of Portland stone (approximately 55cm x 25cm x 22cm), safety gear, and the tools you will need for when on the course * You could consider making a simple printed course handout outlining the technique’s main principles and useful links/suppliers – Totally your choice though! * Tea, coffee, biscuits/cakes * Use of a beautiful, purpose-built art studio with all the equipment & materials you will need * Beautiful countryside setting Pre-course prep It would be useful to gather, sketch out or think about what abstract shapes you are drawn to. Mark will be able to provide ideas as well and advise you on which of your ideas may work best so having some ideas to work from would be useful. You will be working outdoors so come prepared for the forecasted weather and all students must work in sturdy shoes. You will be sent an automated email on booking which prompts you towards documents that help you prepare for your time here. If this does not happen then please email James before the course.   Beyond The Course Having completed a Phoenix Studio course many of our students choose to explore the medium further. They may come on another weekend course, start coming to our Phoenix Art Club Sessions [https://www.phoenixstudio.co.uk/phoenix-art-club-zoom-sessions/] or our Creative Monday Sessions [https://www.phoenixstudio.co.uk/creative-mondays/], or carry on independently at home. We are more than happy to help and advise you in taking those first creative steps! Need accommodation? If you are travelling from further afield and would like to stay in the area for your visit then have a look at our recommend B&Bs and hotels.  Click here for the list. [https://www.phoenixstudio.co.uk/what-we-offer/where-to-stay/]

The one day stone carving class enables the general public to experience the art of hand carving stone. The class is designed for the beginner and every one will take home a hand carved Yorkshire rose. This class is held in a well-equipped workshop.

The one day stone carving class enables the general public to experience the art of hand carving stone. The class is designed for the beginner and every one will take home a hand carved Yorkshire rose.

Egg tempera has been practiced by artists for over two thousand years. It is one of the most durable and beautiful paints in the history of art. Students will discover how master practitioners of this art form prepared their pigments from the earth, rocks and plants and mixed with egg yolk to make their tempera paint.

Join Daniel Docherty and master stone-mason Nicholas G. Durnan for this week-long course where participants will learn the principles of Order in Space through a deep study and immersion in the five platonic solids. Daniel will lead the first two days where we will familiarise and befriend the forms as we draw, model and weave them in various ways and at various scales. The focus of the Thurs/Fri/Sat sessions will be on the carving of the forms in stone. It is likely that particpants will be able to carve a full set of all five 'Platonic' solids.

Mandalas, in essence, can be understood to be diagrams, patterns and pictures that are distillations of cosmic wisdom and harmony; repositories of archetypal intelligence. Mandalas offer a potentially powerful means of deepening one’s spiritual and contemplative practice. This is especially true when they are constructed - using the traditional tools of compass and straightedge - in a considered and contemplative manner. During this week-long course, Daniel Docherty will guide participants through the construction of a number of mandalas from different traditions including mandalas that embody significant planetary patterns. We will explore their inherent symbolism and cosmic correspondences. Participants will also make their our own inks and paints from plant and mineral in order to colour and ensoul their designs. 

Celtic Pattern, Geometry and Imagination A five-day extended course with Adam Tetlow 25-29 October 2021 SAOG Studios (Ruskin East) Emerson College, Forest Row, East Sussex, RH18 5JX, UK 10:00-17:00   Cost: £335 

Within this day you will learn how to mould a part of your/your partners/ your childs body in a safe, non toxic, water based material called alginate. You will then learn how to make a cast from that mould using a sculpture plaster. Once the cast is removed from the mould you will learn how to 'fettle' the cast in other words make it perfect, then you'll have the option of adding a colour to the cast or mounting it on a stand. What you learn during the course can be used to cast your children's hands and feet when you're back at home, I can supply all the materials you need to do this. I've been running this type of workshop for 25 years so I'm very experienced in the process. I cast my own mothers hands about a year before she died and they are my most prized possessions as they have picked up so much detail