This 5-day course is all about learning to carve stone at a steady, enjoyable pace, with good food, good company and plenty of time to switch off from normal life.

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You will have five full days of stone carving tuition, running from 10am to 5pm each day, giving you up to 35 hours of direct teaching time.

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This is a non-residential course. Accommodation, travel, flights and transfers are not included. Students arrange their own accommodation, giving you the flexibility to stay in Pieve di Teco, nearby Ligurian villages, or closer to the coast.

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We are happy to offer guidance on local places to stay where possible, including nearby guesthouses, B&Bs, hotels and self-catering options!

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Lunch is included each day and will be prepared by ANTONIO, a local chef, using fresh Ligurian ingredients. Breakfast and evening meals are not included.

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Courses are kept small to ensure plenty of tutor time and individual guidance.

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ALL CARVING IS DONE BY HAND, WITH SIMPLE TRADITIONAL TOOLS.

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YOU WILL LEARN HOW TO :

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• MARK AND SET OUT DESIGNS ON STONE

• NAME AND USE OF ALL MAIN CARVING TOOLS

• WORK CURVES, FLAT SURFACES AND ORGANIC FORMS

• CREATE AND USE TEMPLATES TO WORK PROFILES

• MEASURE ACCURATELY IN THREE DIMENSIONS

• SHARPEN AND MAINTAIN TOOLS

•  CHOOSE STONE AND UNDERSTAND ITS QUALITIES

• SHAPE AN IDEA IN CLAY AND CAST (OPTIONAL)

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YOU CAN ALSO FREE CARVE, IF YOU PREFER A MORE RELAXED AND LESS PRESCRIPTIVE WAY OF WORKING. 

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pROJECT IDEAS :

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YOU ARE WELCOME TO BRING YOUR OWN IDEA, OR CHOOSE FROM A RANGE OF SUGGESTED PROJECTS THAT ARE POPULAR, ACHIEVABLE AND GIVE YOU PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN.

 

EXAMPLES INCLUDE:

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• A GREEN MAN

• A GOTHIC OAK LEAF

• A TUDOR ROSE

• A LIONS FACE OR MASK

• AN ORNAMENTAL FOLIATE CARVING

• SIMPLE ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS (SCROLLS, ROSETTES ETC)

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tHESE DESIGNS CAN BE ADAPTED FOR BEGINNERS OR MADE MORE ADVANCED FOR EXPERIENCED CARVERS.

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IF YOU ALREADY HAVE A PROJECT IN MIND, WE CAN HAVE A CHAT ABOUT WHETHER IT IS WORKABLE IN THE TIMEFRAME.  THE ONLY LIMITS ARE TIME, SIZE (YOU NEED TO TRANSPORT IT HOME) AND MATERIAL (LIMESTONE IS INCLUDED; MARBLE OR OTHER STONES MUST BE PURCHASED BY THE STUDENT, BUT I WILL HELP WITH SOURCING).

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I'LL ALSO BE WORKING ON MY OWN SCULPTURE DURING THE WEEK. YOU'RE WELCOME TO WATCH, ASK QUSTIONS, AND SEE HOW MORE ADVANCED CARVING IS DONE.

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FLEXIBILITY :

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THE COURSE CAN BE AS STRUCTURED OR AS LOOSE AS YOU WANT.  SOME STUDENTS WORK TOWARD DETAILED, FINISHED PIECES; OTHERS CARVE FOR THE ENJOYMENT AND THE CALMNESS IT BRINGS. BOTH APPROACHES - AND ANY OTHER - ARE WELCOME.

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TOOLS, SAFETY AND MATERIALS :

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• ALL TOOLS ARE PROVIDED

• ALL SAFETY EQUIPMENT IS PROVIDED

• CLEAR GUIDANCE THROUGHOUT

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​IF YOU AREN'T USED TO WORKING WITH YOUR HANDS, BRING FINGERLESS GLOVES TO AVOID BLISTERS AND SORE HANDS.

I ADVISE STurDY BOOTS TO PROTECT TOES FROM FALLING STONE, other than that you just need comfortable clothes.

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We look forward to welcoming you to Pieve di Teco for a relaxed, practical and memorable week of stone carving in the Ligurian hills.

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TOM BROWN

MASTER CARVER

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