Course Code EC2302010
Tutor Ben Newman
Course Dates Wednesdays, 10th January - 27th March 2024
Days 11
Times 6.30pm - 9.00pm
Experience Level Ages 18+, All Levels
Fee £350 (without stone)
Location Art Academy London, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HR
Recommend booking before Wednesday 20th December 2023

Primarily a practical course, you will gain a structured understanding of stone as a material, learn basic carving techniques and discover ways of being creative with this wonderful medium. Through practising all of these aspects, they will come together in the creation of your finished piece of work. Using your initial sketches of what you would like to carve (plan view, front view and section) to help understand the form before modelling it in clay, followed by one-to-one discussion, you will then quickly move into carving to progress your ideas into stone.

Please note that there is an additional fee for initial purchase of stone, which varies depending on the type of stone you wish to use. Art Academy staff are able to advise ahead of booking.

DOWNLOAD DAILY BREAKDOWN

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.

  • Beginner

    Choose a Beginners course if you are looking for a broad introduction to the medium you are studying. Students spend time learning the very basics of the taught medium, for example, how to mix colours, use different tools, set up an easel. Our Beginner courses are suitable for students with no prior experience, they tend to follow a more structured path than our other courses, ensuring each student receives the guidance they need from the tutor.

  • 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, but still follow a structured path with guidance from the tutor.

  • 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.

    These courses tend to be less structured and instead are tailored to the classes’ needs and the direction they want to advance in. Choose an Intermediate course if you are looking to improve your skills and have more critical discussions around the work you produce.

  • 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.

     Our Advanced courses include our Masterclasses.

All attendees must be aged 18 or over.

Please bring ideas of what you would like to carve! Ideas can be in the form of a sketch, printed pictures, books, magazines, online e.t.c. You may also wish to bring in objects such as ornaments, flowers, shells and leaves.

There will be additional costs for the stone you will use during the course. You will be required to purchase your block of stone on the first evening. The cost of your stone will vary between £20-40 depending on type and size of stone you use. Payment is by card only.

It is imperative that you wear steel-toe cap boots for the duration of this course. You will be taught how to handle and carve stone safely however stone is a heavy material and should be treated seriously. Boots cost approximately £15 if purchased online or on eBay and approximately £40 if purchased at general hardware stores. Safety glasses should be warn at all times during the lessons. These can be purchased from the Academy shop.

We will not accept responsibility for injuries sustained as a result of students not wearing appropriate safety gear.

Please be aware that your sculpture (and clay model) needs to be taken away on the last day of the course. We recommend you bring a soft cloth to wrap your carving and a small wheelie-suitcase or trolley and straps to transport it home.

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”.

Maps were disabled by the visitor on this site. Click to open the map in a new window.

Students are welcome to use our Common Room/ The Barn during break times, where you can prepare hot drinks and/or food.

You are also welcome to make tea or coffee.

  • 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.
  • 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 purchased on our Materials Page or on the individual course page when you make your booking.
  • 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 MUST be taken home at the end of the course or it will be disposed of. Paintings that need to dry should be collected within a week. For clay sculptures that need hollowing and firing, you will receive a separate email when they can be collected.
  • 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 at the beginning of your class.
  • Sometimes our photographer will pop in to get some images of our classes in progress. We will typically inform you beforehand if photography is taking place during your class; if you do not want to be photographed please let the photographer know!
  • To find out more about what’s going on at the Academy follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. If you’d like to share images of your course, your progress or your finished work we’d love to see them! Please bear in mind you must have the permission of tutors, other students and models to photograph them.
  • If you would like more information or advice on courses at the Academy please contact shortcourses@artacademy.ac.uk.
  • For further details please see our Short Courses: Regulations & Policies page.

‘Ben is a very good teacher, very pragmatic, full of practical ideas and has great patience with every individual in the class, whatever their stone carving experience or expertise.’

£350.00

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