Stone Carving, Stonemasonry, Letter Cutting, And Abstract Sculpture Courses

Covid-19 Statement

Courses are running as advertised, and social distancing is being practised at all times. Additionally, course numbers have been adjusted to ensure a maximum of two participants in the workshop at any time.

Stone carving, stone masonry, letter cutting in stone, and sculpture courses taught by professionally qualified former Lincoln Cathedral Stonemason, Eilidh Fridlington.

The courses are designed for all abilities, and are particularly suitable if you’ve no prior experience of working with stone.

The duration of the masonry, carving, and letter cutting courses is three days, the abstract stone sculpture courses are two days, and the taster carving courses are one day.

All of the courses run on a weekly basis throughout the year with dates added to the site six months in advance. The website is fully automated and the advertised dates and places available are correct at all times.

All payments are made quickly and securely online via PayPal. Please note that you do not need to have a PayPal account to pay, as all major credit and debit cards are also accepted.

Gift certificates are also available for all of the one, two, and three day courses, and make excellent presents for birthdays and special occasions.

The courses take place in Lincoln, Lincolnshire, at purpose-built workshop premises within the Terrace, situated right in the centre of the city, and the heart of Lincoln’s Cultural Quarter. A map showing the location of the workshop can be found here.

The current list of dates can be accessed via these links:

• Taster stone carving courses
• Abstract stone sculpture courses
• Stonemasonry courses
• Letter cutting courses
• Stone carving courses

Alternatively, continue reading below for further information about each individual course type.

One Day Taster Stone Carving Courses - Carving The Fleur De Lis

The one day taster stone carving courses are perfect if you're interested in having a practical introduction to stone carving, but don't want to commit too much time.

The taster courses focus on the creation of a relief carved Fleur De Lis, a classic historical ornament found in many guises. As can be seen from the picture, the fleur de lis is set back into the stone and surrounded by a border.

Although this is a one day stone carving workshop, the techniques and tools used are exactly the same as those on the two and three day carving courses; this means you won't miss out on anything should you wish to continue carving at a later date.

The next taster carving course with available places is on Saturday the 11th of July.

View the complete current list of taster stone carving courses.

Abstract Stone Sculpture Courses

These two day professionally taught abstract stone sculpture courses are an excellent introduction to creating form and movement in stone.

The emphasis of each course is to enable you to explore your ideas and transfer them in to stone; there’s no set path to follow, and you’re not restricted to following an existing design. You’ll be guided through the various processes of sculpting stone, and the tools and methods used at each stage.

This is a fantastic opportunity to create your own piece of art, and at the end of the two day workshop you’ll take home with you a piece of stonework to be proud of.

The stone used is a local Lincolnshire limestone, an easy to work material that retains fine detail; it’s perfect for carving, and the stone of choice for many of the historic buildings around the county, including the iconic Lincoln Cathedral.

The stone sculpture workshops are aimed at all abilities, and are particularly suitable if you’ve no prior experience of working with stone. The atmosphere in the workshop is always relaxed, and leads to a positive experience for all.

The next sculpture course with available places is on Friday the 24th of July.

View the complete current list of abstract sculpture courses.

Stonemasonry Courses

The introduction to stone masonry courses will teach you the core fundamentals of architectural stonework through the working of an ovolo mould, complete with mitred returns.

The ovolo is a classical masonry mould formed from a quarter circle bound by two fillets, and can be found in numerous guises from classical architecture through to modern day builds. As well as being an architectural element, the ovolo also forms the basis of egg and dart ornamentation, and can be found as a component element in the Doric, Ionic, and Composite orders of Classical Architecture.

The three day stonemasonry workshops use the techniques and tools that have remained unchanged for centuries, and although technology has changed, no power tools are utilised during the courses.

Examples of recent client work from the masonry workshops can be found in the blog, tagged under stonemasonry and client work.

The stone used is a locally sourced Lincolnshire limestone, an easy to work, yet durable stone used for the construction of many of the local buildings.

The next stonemasonry course with available places is on Wednesday the 15th of July.

View the complete current list of stonemasonry courses.

Letter Cutting Courses

Letters have been cut by hand into stone for thousands of years by many civilisations, with perhaps the most notable and recognisable being the Romans.

The letter carving courses are based on the creation of V cut lettering, an incised V cut into the stone that catches light and throws shadow. This is one of the traditional methods of cutting letters, and is far removed from the modern practice of sandblasted letters through a rubberised template stuck to the face of the stone. Our letter cutting workshops are both the ideal introduction to carving letters in stone, and the perfect opportunity to enhance your existing skills.

Using a hands on approach, we discuss and practice the fundamental constructs needed for successful letter cutting in both classical and contemporary styles, before applying them to the piece of lettering you’ll be taking home with you.

Examples of recent client work from the letter cutting classes can be found in the blog, tagged under letter cutting and client work. If you’ve previous experience of cutting letters then we can add to your skill set and increase the rate at which you work.

The next lettering workshop with available places is on Tuesday the 14th of July.

View the complete current list of letter cutting in stone courses.

Stone Carving Courses

As with all of the courses, the stone carving courses are ideal if you’ve never worked with stone before.

The stone carving workshops follow the direct carving method, so there’s no need for any preliminary drawing or model making; using this approach allows you to let your skills develop as we progress, rather than struggle with trying to copy something from the off. However, please feel free to bring along your ideas, whether they be thoughts, sketches or photographs.

Like the other three day courses, the stone used is a locally sourced Lincolnshire limestone, it’s an easily worked stone and durable outside should you wish to site your carving in the garden.

The courses are entitled carving gargoyles and grotesques, but you’re certainly not limited to this if you’ve another idea you’d like to explore; there have been some excellent pieces of work made by previous clients along entirely different themes.

The next stone carving course with available places is on Monday the 13th of July.

View the complete current list of stone carving courses.

Gift Certificates

Gift certificates are also available for both the one day taster courses, the two day sculpture courses, and for any of the three day courses.

The certificates are valid for up to one year after the purchase date, so if you're looking for an unusual gift for the person with everything visit the three day gift certificates page for the stone masonry, stone carving, and letter cutting courses, the two day gift certificates page for the abstract sculpture courses, or the one day gift certificates page for the taster stone carving courses for further information.

Special Offers

Various courses are occasionally offered at reduced prices; these can either be found advertised on the individual course lists, or collected together on the offers page. Offers are subject to availability and the list changes on a regular basis.

Latest Posts

The blog section of the website is where you'll find posts showing the progress of clients during courses, various other items of stonework produced in the workshop, and information relevant to working with stone.

If you’d like an idea of what you could achieve, them please browse though the various sections.

End Of An Introduction To Stonemasonry Course With Jeff

The end of a three day stonemasonry course with Jeff. Jeff’s ovolo mould with a return and break in Ancaster limestone is an excellent piece of work.

Second Day Of A Stonemasonry Course With Jeff

End of the second day of this week’s introduction to stonemasonry course with Jeff. The front face of the ovolo mould is finished, and Jeff is now working a return and break on one of the ends.

The First Day Of A Stonemasonry Course With Jeff

The end of the first day of this week’s introduction to stonemasonry course with Jeff. Jeff has worked the initial chamfer across the front of the ovolo mould in Ancaster limestone, and is now working on the fillets.

The Morning Of Today’s Stone Carving Course With Phil

The morning of today’s taster stone carving course with Phil. Phil is working the outline of his Fleur De Lis in a sunken panel in Ancaster limestone.

Morning Of A Taster Stone Carving Course With Mark And Steve

The morning of today’s taster carving course with Mark and Steve. Both are progressing well with their Fleur De Lis in Ancaster limestone.

Morning Of A Taster Stone Carving Course With Peter

The morning of the first taster stone carving course of the year with Peter. Peter is getting to grips with the Fleur De Lis he’s carving in Ancaster limestone by developing the sunken panel.

Family, Lincoln Lower Silverbed Limestone

Family, in Lincoln Lower Silverbed limestone, finished with gold enamel paint. Approximately 7 inches x 5 inches, available to buy from the workshop.

Om Symbol, Lincoln Red Bed Limestone

Om symbol. Lincoln Red Bed limestone, finished with gold enamel paint. Available to buy from the workshop.

Joy, Lincoln Lower Silverbed Limestone

Joy, Lincoln Lower Silverbed limestone, finished with gold enamel paint. Approximately 6 inches x 4 inches. Available to buy from the workshop.

Family, Lincoln Cathedral Lower Silverbed Limestone

Family, Lincoln Lower Silverbed limestone, finished in gold enamel paint. Approximately 7 inches by 5 inches. Available to buy from the workshop.

Family, Hand Cut In Ancaster Limestone

Family, Ancaster limestone, finished in gold enamel paint. Approximately 8 inches by 6 inches. Available to buy from the workshop.

End Of Day One Abstract Stone Sculpture With Jenny

The end of the first day with Jenny. Jenny has added more depth and given her torso some more weight by creating some roundness in the curves.