Stone Carving

COURSE CODE: EC2402010

COURSE DATES: Wednesdays, 22nd January – 26th March 2025

TUTOR: Ben Newman

DAYS: 10

TIMES: 6:30pm – 9:00pm

EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Ages 18+, All Levels

FEE: £370

LOCATION: Mermaid Court Campus, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HR

Whether you’re new to carving or looking to expand your knowledge, this practical course offers an exciting introduction to the ancient craft. Guided by an experienced tutor, you will develop initial sketches and clay models into fully realised sculptures. Sessions are balanced between focusing on technical skills and creative process, and will be covering:

  • The correct use of hammers and chisels through group instruction
  • Stone block preparation, outlining and removing negative space
  • How to develop intricate details and refine the sculptures form

In the final session, there is the potential to explore additional techniques such as letter cutting and head carving, if time allows. You will learn essential stone carving techniques, the importance of refinement to create nuanced sculpture, and gain practical experience transferring ideas into three-dimensional forms.

After completion, you may be interested in exploring one of our alternative sculpture courses such as Sculpting in Metal.

Recommend booking by: January 8, 2025

COURSE SCHEDULE

All Levels

All attendees must be aged 18 and over.

This course is suitable for all levels. Students can move at their own pace depending on their experience, with as much support from the Tutor as they wish. This means an student from the following experience levels can join this course:

Beginner

Choose a Beginners course if you are looking for a broad introduction to the medium you are studying. Our Beginner courses are suitable for students with no prior experience.

Beginner +

Choose a Beginner + course if you are looking to hone your skills, focus on a specific subject area and build your confidence. These courses are suitable for those with some basic skills in and knowledge of the taught medium.

Intermediate

Our Intermediate courses are suitable for students who have considerable prior knowledge of the taught medium or have completed a Beginners/Beginners + course with the Art Academy.

Advanced

Choose our Advanced courses if you have considerable knowledge in the taught medium. You are expected to be able to work independently and have critical discussions around your work.

All materials will be provided for the course, please wear clothes you won’t mind getting messy. 

BEN NEWMAN 

Ben Newman is an expert in working with stone, and enjoys passing on his vast technical and aesthetic knowledge of the medium to new students and watching them progress. He graduated from Central Saint Martins in 1991 with a BA (Hons) in Fine Art Painting. After experimenting with stone carving, he chose to pursue the skill-based craft and trained to become a stonemason at Vauxhall College. Ben has 26 years’ experience in the building heritage industry, working on notable projects such as St Martin-in-the-Fields, St Pancras Station and numerous listed buildings. In 2001, Ben became a Fellow at the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB), the UK’s oldest building conservation body founded by William Morris, and is involved in the training of current SPAB Fellows

Mermaid Court

165A Borough High Street London SE1 1HR tel: +44 (0) 207407 6969

Nearest Tube/ Rail: London Bridge or Borough (both a 5 minute walk).

Please note that London Bridge has two exits, the most direct route is to follow signs to “Borough High Street”.

We cannot store your bikes at the Academy, however there is on-street bike parking near our Mermaid Court site.

 

Students are welcome to use The Hub during break times, where you can prepare hot drinks and/or food. You must bring your own keep-cup, water bottle or food container to the Academy as mugs, glasses, and containers will not be available in our Bankside campus.

Tea and coffee will be provided by the Academy and is available from the island unit at the end of The Hub.

Terms and Conditions

  • By booking onto one of our courses you agree to our Short Courses Terms and Conditions.

  • You will need to have paid in full before the first session of your class. Your place is not guaranteed until we have received full payment. Please book early in order to guarantee your place on the course.

Materials & Equipment

  • If you purchased a pack online this will be given to you on the first session of your course upon your arrival. Packs can be booked on our Materials Page or on this page when you book the course

  • Please don’t wear your best clothes as there is always a chance you will get messy. If possible bring an apron or overalls.

  • All artwork at the Academy MUST be taken home at the end of each session where possible, with the exception of oil paintings and sculpture works.

  • We cannot store materials at the Academy, so please take these to and from your sessions.

  • Please ensure that your mobile phone is switched off or is on silent during the class.

  • Health and Safety Guidelines will be provided to you a week before the start of your course.

Concessions and Discounts

We offer a number of concessions and discounts, please find more information on what we offer here.

Gift Vouchers

If you would like to purchase a gift voucher to be used on our courses then you can purchase these here.

£370.00

£370.00