Botanical subjects have provided a source of inspiration for relief stone carvers for thousands of years. Whether it was as symbols of fertility and renewal, or the passage of time and death. Flowers, plants and trees at various points of their life cycle have been depicted in stone.
Join in with centuries of carvers and capture these subjects – seed pods and plants, in stone. Join stone carver, Gaynor Pearson and over two days, you will have the opportunity to plan and carve your subject in “bas” or low relief. You will explore the design, find out how to execute a relief carving, explore different effects and techniques you can use to frame or create a background, and learn how to finish and refine your work.
There will be a range of templates available depicting some of these inspiring subjects, or you can bring along your own design. There will be various sizes and types of stone available – Yorkshire sandstone and various limestones in a variety of shapes and sizes. Choose a piece that speaks to you!
Please note there is material charge payable on the day, this will vary depending on the stone selected but likely to be no more that £30.
Click on the title below to find a list of what you’ll need to bring with you if anything.
What to expect
Days at ArtisOn is designed to take you away from it all and provide the environment, the time and the guidance you need to create. You can expect a warm welcome, skilled and friendly tutors plus the chance to meet like-minded people keen to share ideas and experiences. You can even leave us to clear up the mess! There will usually be two workshops going on and we encourage everyone to mingle and be nosey about what the other workshop is up to.
Arrive in time to meet other participants over a cup of tea or coffee and biscuits on day one. Begin your session at the appointed time and there will be a mid-morning break for refreshments and a chance to talk over progress with others. Each day lunch will be around 12:45 for about 45 mins – you can expect a homemade 2 course lunch each day. The main course will be delicious but don’t overdo it as the puds are usually worth waiting for! There will be a further afternoon break with the most wonderful cakes from Roots & Fruits Home Bakery, a North Yorkshire micro-bakery producing handmade bread and cakes. All food and refreshments are included in the price of the workshop and providing we have notice, we are happy to cater for any dietary needs.
Finish time is given as a target – there is some flexibility depending on how your work is progressing. Depending on the tutor and the group, start times follow on days can be flexible too.
We aim for your time with us to be a real treat… of course you could always learn a new skill in a shed or a draughty village hall with a curly sandwich, but we want you to have more fun than that! So we make it a day being looked after, with good food, good company and great inspiration!
What you’ll need to bring with you
You will be carving a limestone - great stone to carve. You will complete a simple relief carving during the two days - a number of templates will be provided as ideas but if you have your own design ideas, please bring them along to suit one of the sizes given above. If you have ideas requiring a different sizes, we will review the stone pile...
All tools and materials will be provided but please bring:
- Clothes you don't mind getting dusty or overalls.
- Steel toed shoes if you have them or stout shoes.
- If you do have any of your own chisels feel free to bring them but please ensure they can be identified.
Please note that you will be working outside but undercover during this workshop. Even though you'll be doing physical work, if it's cold or wet, please bring something warm / waterproof to wear...if it's hot, bring sun cream!
