This tutorial is based on free-form stone carving where there are no restraints regarding the finished artifact such as those associated with architectural or restoration carving. The techniques described here are designed to give a general overview of the basic methodology needed to start carving stone. Click the images on this page to view larger versions.
The Stone Carving Process
The process of carving stone from initial starting point to finished artifact follows a loose pattern of steps. These steps can be broadly categorized into the following:
1. Identifying A Starting Point
2. Initial Roughing Out
3. Creating Form
4. Adding Detail
5. Finishing
Identifying A Starting Point
The starting point of the stone carving process is largely dependent on two factors; the initial shape of the chosen stone and the perceived outcome of the finished artifact. Other factors to take into consideration are the physical size and weight of the stone which could necessitate special handling requirements.
If working from a maquette, drawing or existing design then the starting point centres around identifying the outer dimensions of the piece and transferring these measurements to the stone using calipers or other means of measurement such as a tape if the stone is dimensional and has flat surfaces suitable to draw on.
For this tutorial the stone being worked is Ancaster limestone, quarried near Lincoln in Lincolnshire. As can be seen from the picture the stone is dimensional.
I've started by marking offsome of the main areas torough out. I'm not using a maquette or an existing design for this example, instead the idea is to explore ideas as I go along. Click on the image to view a larger version.
Initial Roughing Out
The stone being used for this example is soft and easy to work, therefore this stage is done using a half inch claw, mallet and small lump hammer.
Referencing the previous picture it can be seen that the original markings on the stone have denoted the position of the eyes, nose, tapering of the mouth area and the beginnings of the upper part of the carving.At this stage the bulk of the stone has been left alone simply to maintain the weight and stop the stone from moving about during the roughing out process. Click on the image to view a larger version.
Creating Form
The following pictures demonstrate the creation of form in the carving.
The back of the carving has been cut off to push the profile of the head forward. Even though a considerable amount of material has been removed at this point the piece still has enough contact area with the banker to stop it from moving around during carving. The profile of the neck is also starting to be developed. The profile of the mouth and jowls has also been created. Click on the image to view a larger version.
The neck area is developed further to introduce the profile of the lower jaw. The area behind the eyes starts to be worked into stylised flames to suggest some kind of mythical beast. The horns on the top of the head are also roughed out, again, using the half inch claw. Click on the image to view a larger version.
Adding Detail
The next stage is to add more detail to the carving. During this stage the flames behind the eyes have beendeveloped further to add shadow and depth to the piece. The scissors of the jaw have also been taken back slightly to bring some movement to the mouth and surrounding area. Further development involves creation of the horns and more detail added to the flames and under the eyes to increase shadow and depth. Click on the image to view a larger version.
Finishing
The finishing stage involved creating the nostrils and detailing of the eyes - this was achieved with a quarter inch bullnose spun between the palms of the hands to create a drilling motion. There are many types of finish that can be applied to stonework, for this example I finishthe carving by tooling it over with a three-eighths inch flat chisel, quarter and half inch bullnose, and dummy to remove the claw marks. The piece could have been finished by rubbing down with sandpaper but I prefer the finish achieved by leaving it on the chisel. Due to the softness of the stone combined with the moderately harder shell content, rubbing down would have resulted in an uneven surface. Click on the image to view a larger version.
Stone Carving Courses, Stone Masonry Courses & Letter Cutting Courses 2012
Stone Carving Courses - Carving Grotesques And Gargoyles
Course Details
Date: Tuesday February 7th, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day stone carving course for students of all abilities wishing to create grotesques and gargoyles in stone. Using a hands-on approach this carving course takes students from the ba... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 2
Letter Cutting Courses / Letter Carving Courses - Letter Cutting In Stone
Course Details
Date: Wednesday February 8th, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: This professionally taught 3 day course is an excellent introduction to cutting letters in stone. During the course students are introduced to the basics of both classical and contemporary l... more information
Course Full
Stone Masonry Courses - Introduction to Stone Masonry
Course Details
Date: Thursday February 9th, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day professionally taught stone masonry course designed to teach students of all abilities the processes involved in the production of architectural stonework. Whether you'r... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 2
Stone Carving Courses - Carving Grotesques And Gargoyles
Course Details
Date: Monday February 13th, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day stone carving course for students of all abilities wishing to create grotesques and gargoyles in stone. Using a hands-on approach this carving course takes students from the ba... more information
Course Full
Stone Masonry Courses - Introduction to Stone Masonry
Course Details
Date: Tuesday February 14th, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day professionally taught stone masonry course designed to teach students of all abilities the processes involved in the production of architectural stonework. Whether you'r... more information
Course Full
Letter Cutting Courses / Letter Carving Courses - Letter Cutting In Stone
Course Details
Date: Wednesday February 15th, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: This professionally taught 3 day course is an excellent introduction to cutting letters in stone. During the course students are introduced to the basics of both classical and contemporary l... more information
Course Full
Stone Carving Courses - Carving Grotesques And Gargoyles
Course Details
Date: Thursday February 16th, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day stone carving course for students of all abilities wishing to create grotesques and gargoyles in stone. Using a hands-on approach this carving course takes students from the ba... more information
Course Full
Stone Masonry Courses - Introduction to Stone Masonry
Course Details
Date: Monday February 20th, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day professionally taught stone masonry course designed to teach students of all abilities the processes involved in the production of architectural stonework. Whether you'r... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 2
Stone Carving Courses - Carving Grotesques And Gargoyles
Course Details
Date: Tuesday February 21st, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day stone carving course for students of all abilities wishing to create grotesques and gargoyles in stone. Using a hands-on approach this carving course takes students from the ba... more information
Course Full
Letter Cutting Courses / Letter Carving Courses - Letter Cutting In Stone
Course Details
Date: Wednesday February 22nd, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: This professionally taught 3 day course is an excellent introduction to cutting letters in stone. During the course students are introduced to the basics of both classical and contemporary l... more information
Course Full
Stone Masonry Courses - Introduction to Stone Masonry
Course Details
Date: Thursday February 23rd, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day professionally taught stone masonry course designed to teach students of all abilities the processes involved in the production of architectural stonework. Whether you'r... more information
Course Full
Stone Carving Courses - Carving Grotesques And Gargoyles
Course Details
Date: Monday February 27th, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day stone carving course for students of all abilities wishing to create grotesques and gargoyles in stone. Using a hands-on approach this carving course takes students from the ba... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 1
Stone Masonry Courses - Introduction to Stone Masonry
Course Details
Date: Tuesday February 28th, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day professionally taught stone masonry course designed to teach students of all abilities the processes involved in the production of architectural stonework. Whether you'r... more information
Course Full
Stone Carving Courses - Carving Grotesques And Gargoyles
Course Details
Date: Wednesday February 29th, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day stone carving course for students of all abilities wishing to create grotesques and gargoyles in stone. Using a hands-on approach this carving course takes students from the ba... more information
Course Full
Letter Cutting Courses / Letter Carving Courses - Letter Cutting In Stone
Course Details
Date: Thursday March 1st, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: This professionally taught 3 day course is an excellent introduction to cutting letters in stone. During the course students are introduced to the basics of both classical and contemporary l... more information
Course Full
Stone Carving Courses - Carving Grotesques And Gargoyles
Course Details
Date: Monday March 5th, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day stone carving course for students of all abilities wishing to create grotesques and gargoyles in stone. Using a hands-on approach this carving course takes students from the ba... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 2
Letter Cutting Courses / Letter Carving Courses - Letter Cutting In Stone
Course Details
Date: Tuesday March 6th, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: This professionally taught 3 day course is an excellent introduction to cutting letters in stone. During the course students are introduced to the basics of both classical and contemporary l... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 2
Stone Masonry Courses - Introduction to Stone Masonry
Course Details
Date: Wednesday March 7th, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day professionally taught stone masonry course designed to teach students of all abilities the processes involved in the production of architectural stonework. Whether you'r... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 2
Stone Carving Courses - Carving Grotesques And Gargoyles
Course Details
Date: Thursday March 8th, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day stone carving course for students of all abilities wishing to create grotesques and gargoyles in stone. Using a hands-on approach this carving course takes students from the ba... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 2
Stone Masonry Courses - Introduction to Stone Masonry
Course Details
Date: Monday March 12th, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day professionally taught stone masonry course designed to teach students of all abilities the processes involved in the production of architectural stonework. Whether you'r... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 3
Letter Cutting Courses / Letter Carving Courses - Letter Cutting In Stone
Course Details
Date: Tuesday March 13th, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: This professionally taught 3 day course is an excellent introduction to cutting letters in stone. During the course students are introduced to the basics of both classical and contemporary l... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 3
Stone Carving Courses - Carving Grotesques And Gargoyles
Course Details
Date: Wednesday March 14th, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day stone carving course for students of all abilities wishing to create grotesques and gargoyles in stone. Using a hands-on approach this carving course takes students from the ba... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 3
Stone Masonry Courses - Introduction to Stone Masonry
Course Details
Date: Thursday March 15th, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day professionally taught stone masonry course designed to teach students of all abilities the processes involved in the production of architectural stonework. Whether you'r... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 2
Stone Masonry Courses - Introduction to Stone Masonry
Course Details
Date: Monday March 19th, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day professionally taught stone masonry course designed to teach students of all abilities the processes involved in the production of architectural stonework. Whether you'r... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 3
Stone Carving Courses - Carving Grotesques And Gargoyles
Course Details
Date: Tuesday March 20th, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day stone carving course for students of all abilities wishing to create grotesques and gargoyles in stone. Using a hands-on approach this carving course takes students from the ba... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 2
Letter Cutting Courses / Letter Carving Courses - Letter Cutting In Stone
Course Details
Date: Wednesday March 21st, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: This professionally taught 3 day course is an excellent introduction to cutting letters in stone. During the course students are introduced to the basics of both classical and contemporary l... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 2
Stone Masonry Courses - Introduction to Stone Masonry
Course Details
Date: Thursday March 22nd, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day professionally taught stone masonry course designed to teach students of all abilities the processes involved in the production of architectural stonework. Whether you'r... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 2
Stone Carving Courses - Carving Grotesques And Gargoyles
Course Details
Date: Monday March 26th, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day stone carving course for students of all abilities wishing to create grotesques and gargoyles in stone. Using a hands-on approach this carving course takes students from the ba... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 2
Stone Masonry Courses - Introduction to Stone Masonry
Course Details
Date: Tuesday March 27th, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day professionally taught stone masonry course designed to teach students of all abilities the processes involved in the production of architectural stonework. Whether you'r... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 1
Stone Carving Courses - Carving Grotesques And Gargoyles
Course Details
Date: Wednesday March 28th, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day stone carving course for students of all abilities wishing to create grotesques and gargoyles in stone. Using a hands-on approach this carving course takes students from the ba... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 1
Letter Cutting Courses / Letter Carving Courses - Letter Cutting In Stone
Course Details
Date: Thursday March 29th, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: This professionally taught 3 day course is an excellent introduction to cutting letters in stone. During the course students are introduced to the basics of both classical and contemporary l... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 3
Stone Carving Courses - Carving Grotesques And Gargoyles
Course Details
Date: Monday April 2nd, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day stone carving course for students of all abilities wishing to create grotesques and gargoyles in stone. Using a hands-on approach this carving course takes students from the ba... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 1
Letter Cutting Courses / Letter Carving Courses - Letter Cutting In Stone
Course Details
Date: Tuesday April 3rd, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: This professionally taught 3 day course is an excellent introduction to cutting letters in stone. During the course students are introduced to the basics of both classical and contemporary l... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 1
Stone Masonry Courses - Introduction to Stone Masonry
Course Details
Date: Wednesday April 4th, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day professionally taught stone masonry course designed to teach students of all abilities the processes involved in the production of architectural stonework. Whether you'r... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 3
Stone Carving Courses - Carving Grotesques And Gargoyles
Course Details
Date: Thursday April 5th, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day stone carving course for students of all abilities wishing to create grotesques and gargoyles in stone. Using a hands-on approach this carving course takes students from the ba... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 2
Stone Masonry Courses - Introduction to Stone Masonry
Course Details
Date: Monday April 9th, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day professionally taught stone masonry course designed to teach students of all abilities the processes involved in the production of architectural stonework. Whether you'r... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 2
Stone Carving Courses - Carving Grotesques And Gargoyles
Course Details
Date: Tuesday April 10th, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day stone carving course for students of all abilities wishing to create grotesques and gargoyles in stone. Using a hands-on approach this carving course takes students from the ba... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 1
Letter Cutting Courses / Letter Carving Courses - Letter Cutting In Stone
Course Details
Date: Wednesday April 11th, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: This professionally taught 3 day course is an excellent introduction to cutting letters in stone. During the course students are introduced to the basics of both classical and contemporary l... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 3
Stone Masonry Courses - Introduction to Stone Masonry
Course Details
Date: Thursday April 12th, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day professionally taught stone masonry course designed to teach students of all abilities the processes involved in the production of architectural stonework. Whether you'r... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 2
Stone Masonry Courses - Introduction to Stone Masonry
Course Details
Date: Monday April 16th, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day professionally taught stone masonry course designed to teach students of all abilities the processes involved in the production of architectural stonework. Whether you'r... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 2
Stone Carving Courses - Carving Grotesques And Gargoyles
Course Details
Date: Tuesday April 17th, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day stone carving course for students of all abilities wishing to create grotesques and gargoyles in stone. Using a hands-on approach this carving course takes students from the ba... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 2
Letter Cutting Courses / Letter Carving Courses - Letter Cutting In Stone
Course Details
Date: Wednesday April 18th, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: This professionally taught 3 day course is an excellent introduction to cutting letters in stone. During the course students are introduced to the basics of both classical and contemporary l... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 3
Stone Carving Courses - Carving Grotesques And Gargoyles
Course Details
Date: Thursday April 19th, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day stone carving course for students of all abilities wishing to create grotesques and gargoyles in stone. Using a hands-on approach this carving course takes students from the ba... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 3
Letter Cutting Courses / Letter Carving Courses - Letter Cutting In Stone
Course Details
Date: Monday April 23rd, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: This professionally taught 3 day course is an excellent introduction to cutting letters in stone. During the course students are introduced to the basics of both classical and contemporary l... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 2
Stone Masonry Courses - Introduction to Stone Masonry
Course Details
Date: Tuesday April 24th, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day professionally taught stone masonry course designed to teach students of all abilities the processes involved in the production of architectural stonework. Whether you'r... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 1
Stone Carving Courses - Carving Grotesques And Gargoyles
Course Details
Date: Wednesday April 25th, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day stone carving course for students of all abilities wishing to create grotesques and gargoyles in stone. Using a hands-on approach this carving course takes students from the ba... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 3
Stone Masonry Courses - Introduction to Stone Masonry
Course Details
Date: Thursday April 26th, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day professionally taught stone masonry course designed to teach students of all abilities the processes involved in the production of architectural stonework. Whether you'r... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 3
Stone Carving Courses - Carving Grotesques And Gargoyles
Course Details
Date: Monday April 30th, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day stone carving course for students of all abilities wishing to create grotesques and gargoyles in stone. Using a hands-on approach this carving course takes students from the ba... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 2
Stone Masonry Courses - Introduction to Stone Masonry
Course Details
Date: Tuesday May 1st, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day professionally taught stone masonry course designed to teach students of all abilities the processes involved in the production of architectural stonework. Whether you'r... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 1
Letter Cutting Courses / Letter Carving Courses - Letter Cutting In Stone
Course Details
Date: Wednesday May 2nd, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: This professionally taught 3 day course is an excellent introduction to cutting letters in stone. During the course students are introduced to the basics of both classical and contemporary l... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 2
Stone Masonry Courses - Introduction to Stone Masonry
Course Details
Date: Thursday May 3rd, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day professionally taught stone masonry course designed to teach students of all abilities the processes involved in the production of architectural stonework. Whether you'r... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 3
Stone Carving Courses - Carving Grotesques And Gargoyles
Course Details
Date: Monday May 7th, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day stone carving course for students of all abilities wishing to create grotesques and gargoyles in stone. Using a hands-on approach this carving course takes students from the ba... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 3
Stone Masonry Courses - Introduction to Stone Masonry
Course Details
Date: Tuesday May 8th, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day professionally taught stone masonry course designed to teach students of all abilities the processes involved in the production of architectural stonework. Whether you'r... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 3
Letter Cutting Courses / Letter Carving Courses - Letter Cutting In Stone
Course Details
Date: Monday May 14th, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: This professionally taught 3 day course is an excellent introduction to cutting letters in stone. During the course students are introduced to the basics of both classical and contemporary l... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 1
Stone Carving Courses - Carving Grotesques And Gargoyles
Course Details
Date: Tuesday May 15th, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day stone carving course for students of all abilities wishing to create grotesques and gargoyles in stone. Using a hands-on approach this carving course takes students from the ba... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 2
Stone Masonry Courses - Introduction to Stone Masonry
Course Details
Date: Wednesday May 16th, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day professionally taught stone masonry course designed to teach students of all abilities the processes involved in the production of architectural stonework. Whether you'r... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 2
Stone Carving Courses - Carving Grotesques And Gargoyles
Course Details
Date: Monday May 21st, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day stone carving course for students of all abilities wishing to create grotesques and gargoyles in stone. Using a hands-on approach this carving course takes students from the ba... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 3
Stone Masonry Courses - Introduction to Stone Masonry
Course Details
Date: Tuesday May 22nd, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day professionally taught stone masonry course designed to teach students of all abilities the processes involved in the production of architectural stonework. Whether you'r... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 3
Stone Masonry Courses - Introduction to Stone Masonry
Course Details
Date: Wednesday May 23rd, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day professionally taught stone masonry course designed to teach students of all abilities the processes involved in the production of architectural stonework. Whether you'r... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 2
Stone Carving Courses - Carving Grotesques And Gargoyles
Course Details
Date: Thursday May 24th, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day stone carving course for students of all abilities wishing to create grotesques and gargoyles in stone. Using a hands-on approach this carving course takes students from the ba... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 2
Stone Masonry Courses - Introduction to Stone Masonry
Course Details
Date: Monday May 28th, 2012
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day professionally taught stone masonry course designed to teach students of all abilities the processes involved in the production of architectural stonework. Whether you'r... more information
Course Full
