24 Stone Crafts courses

During this class we will explore the creation of abstract sculpture starting with the development of ideas, shapes and forms, then we will use some composite sculpture material to transfer your ideas from a sketch to a 3 dimensional work. The material we use is rigid but very easily worked with rasps and reduction paper so you'll quite quickly gain confidence in working with it. We will supply a dust mast if requred You don't need any prior experience in sculpture or a background in art to enjoy this course, I'll take you through all aspects of the creative process. At the end of the day you'll have a piece of work to take away but we will also have discussed how to take your original to the next stage which will be moulding and casting to re-produce it in a hard wearing material.

The Alhambra Palace complex is home to some of the finest examples of Islamic Geometric Pattern in the world. During this three-day course we will learn how to construct a number of these patterns - ranging from the simple to highly sophisticated - using the traditional geometer's tools of compass and straightedge. This course will be led in a gentle, easy to follow, step-by-step manner, suitable for both beginners and experienced alike.

The Dance of Earth and Venus results in one of the most beautiful and breathtaking rhythms and patterns of the solar system. Every eight Earth years (13 Venus years) they dance a pentagonal form in space akin to the pip-star inside your apple or the petals of a primrose flower! During this course we will learn how to draw this incredible pattern using the traditional tools of compass and straight-edge; we will explore the key aspects of Earth and Venus' cycles that determine such extraordinary heavenly harmony. And time allowing ... with copper leaf and watercolour paint made from malachite and azurite - which in the Hermetic/Alchemical tradition have forever been associated with the planet Venus - we will create stunning mandalas embodying the Earth/Venus dance ...

We are eagerly looking forward to welcoming Australian based Artsist/Educator and Projective Geometry expert Sophia Montefiore back to SAOG Studios for a Summer 2021 Projective Geometry course. Participants will be introduced to the fundamental and profound principles of this unique art form through drawing/construction and colour work focussing on Spirals, Buds and Vortex Forms.

This two-day course, led by Natasha Mann, will introduce students to the Art of Zouaq. Zouaq is a painting technique original to Morocco which creates arresting and powerful designs. Found painted onto ceilings, doors, furniture and wooden objects it is an integral part of the decoration of private homes and sacred spaces in Morocco. Students will also be given an introduction to the history of Zouaq and its different styles. Using the traditional techniques of egg tempera painting using hand ground natural pigments from earth and minerals, participants will choose their favourite design from a portfolio of Moroccan geometric patterns (ideally drawn during the prior Moroccan Geometric Pattern course (17 Sept. 2021) to create a stunning painting on wood to take home

The Golden Ratio:  Jewel of Geometry and Cosmos 23, 24 October 2021  with Daniel Docherty 10:00-17:00  Cost: £130  

Join us on a journey through the geometric arts of Ancient Egypt ... The profound relationship between qualitative geometry and the forms of architecture and sculpture is no where better expressed than in the ancient egyptian tradition. During this course we will be drawing inspiration from the work of R.A. Schwaller de Lubitcz, John Michell and others. The philosophical implications of the golden section in Egyptian art will be covered. The Pyramids: the pyramids and earth measure - we will draw and model the great pyramid of Giza to scale.

Join Daniel Docherty and Sheetle Shah for this practical two-day course exploring sacred pattern and the art of henna. On the first day of the course Daniel will give an overview of the practice and philosophy of Mandalas from various traditions. Participants will be introduced to certain key characteristics and significant symbolism inherent within traditional Mandalas. We will learn how to construct some of these sacred patterns using the traditional tools of compass and straightedge. Sheetle, a henna artist with 20 years of experience with this traditional art form, will guide participants through the processes of making and preparing henna paste 'from scratch'. You will learn how to apply intricate patterns to paper, hands or feet depending on your preference! Henna is a natural pigment with remarkable staining qualities. You will learn how it is traditionally applied to hands and feet during festivals and celebrations; today, henna is also applied for ‘belly blessings’, cosmetic tattoos, semi-permanent face painting, hair dye and has developed many other creative roles.

A practical and participatory two-day introductory course for anyone wanting to develop a deeper relationship to ink and ochre. We will walk in the beautiful Ashdown Forest; we will reverently forage minerals and materials which we will transform - through various alchemical processes - into pigment, paint and ink. These endeavours will be accompanied by exercises in contemplative pattern construction and plein-air sketching.

Join Adam Williamson for this two day intensive exploring the stunning rosette panel in the Court of Lions, Alhambra Palace, Granada.  We will draw the full extended geometric and biomorphic pattern complete with multiple rosettes. This composition is full of profound secrets and mysteries and variations of it are found all over the Alhambra Palace. ​ This class is open to all ability levels