Stone Carving Workshop: Sycamore Seed in Relief

This workshop will inspire you and provide the basic skills to carve a low relief of a sycamore seed in Portland stone.You will begin by tracing a prepared drawing of a sycamore seed onto a pre-cut limestone panel. The tutor will demonstrate safe handling and setup, how to hold a chisel and mallet, and how to transfer and read the traced design on the stone.Through step-by-step demonstration, you will observe and practise fundamental carving techniques:

• Outlining the design with a pointed or tooth chisel to define the seed’s silhouette and major veins
• Removing background material to establish shallow depth and reveal the relief
• Refining surfaces with flat and rounded chisels for smooth transitions and subtle modelling
• Using rasps and rifflers for finishing touches and texture

Safety and tool care are emphasised throughout. You will be shown correct body posture, PPE protection, and how to secure your stone to work confidently and efficiently.By the end of the workshop, you will have carved a small low relief of a sycamore seed in Portland stone to take home, along with guidance from the tutor on how to continue developing your skills and advice on tools and materials should you wish to practise further. All materials and equipment are provided, including FFP3 disposable dust masks. A mask must be worn while stone carving for your safety. Read more details