2 Day Introduction to Letter Cutting in Stone
28-29 June: explore the various processes of letter cutting in stone as you create your own small plaque in this weekend course.
- Booking essential
Discover the timeless art of traditional letter carving in this hands-on, full weekend course is designed for beginners and enthusiasts alike. Guided by an expert craftsperson with over 20 years' experience, you’ll learn the fundamentals of drawing, spacing, and carving classic letterforms into stone using chisels and mallets. With a focus on precision, patience, and historical techniques, this course blends artistry with craftsmanship to help you create enduring inscriptions.
There will be talks within the course to understand a little more about the traditions of the craft, and the opportunity to create your own small plaque. Participants are asked to come prepared with a word they would like to cut.
This course is suitable for anyone with an interest in letter cutting, either as an introduction to the craft or those wishing to extend their skills and understanding further.
Your tutor is Tom Ball, an award-winning master carver working in wood and stone from his workshop at the Heritage and Rural Skills Centre. Since 2008, Tom has been working freelance in restoration, and in 2020 Tom returned to City and Guilds of London Arts School to work as a tutor.
Our class sizes are small, so you'll have a chance to engage with the tutor while you work.
All materials and tools needed for the course will be provided. This course takes place over two days, on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 June, 9am-5pm daily. There will be a short break for lunch each day and tea/coffee is provided.
Times
Prices
| Ticket type | Ticket category |
|---|---|
| Adult | £345.00 |
| Concession Young person (under 25) | £260.00 |
The basics
- Booking details
Call 0344 249 1895
- Suitability
Suitable for those 18 and over
- Meeting point
The Orton Studio at the Heritage and Rural Skills Centre in Coleshill village. Follow signs for the Coleshill Estate Office from the car park.
- What to bring and wear
All tools and materials included. Wear practical clothes and shoes suitable for crafting. Please bring your own refreshments (or the means to purchase these from the on-site café).
- Accessibility
Toilets on site, including accessible toilet. Level access into the teaching space. Some uneven surfaces such as cobbles due to the historic nature of the building. Please contact us if you would like to have an informal chat about access before you book.
- Other
Mess room available for course participants to use during breaks. Drinking water and facilities for making tea and coffee available. Refreshments/lunches available to purchase from on-site café. Accommodation not included.
Upcoming events
Oxfordshire Artweeks at the Heritage and Rural Skills Centre
14-18 May, 11am-5pm: a range of craftspeople will be exhibiting traditional crafts with a modern twist.
Guided Tours: Secrets of Coleshill
17 April to 11 October, 1pm and 2.30pm Thursdays and Saturdays: find out more about some of the lesser-known chapters of the estate’s history and look behind the scenes of the Heritage and Rural Skills Centre.
The Art of Traditional Faux Marbling
24-25 May: learn how to create professional-looking traditional faux marble paint techniques in this intensive, accredited weekend course.
Make a Silver Ring in a Day with the Bishopsland Educational Trust
31 May: explore the insightful process of making a silver ring which you will design, make and take home.