Exercises we recommend
Here below a list of exercises that we offer and recommend for gradually developing your sculpting skills from a beginner to advanced stone carver.
Letter Carving
This course tackles the basics of letter carving and provides you with all the necessary insights to get you started. Chiselling techniques, various styles and the most common patterns are discussed and you will be closely guided through the carving process of basic shapes.
The Roman Capital will be the main focus of the carving process.
At the end of the course you will have gained the basic knowledge of the craft and will be able to continue practicing on your own.
The possibility to further specialize in this craft will be individually discussed adapting to the wishes of the students.
A relatively easy introduction into stone carving, suitable for the passionate beginners.
Skills developed
Basic use of flat chisel
Sharpening the chisel
Preparing the stone for letter carving
Transferring letter design onto stone
Carving of 2 or 3 letters onto marble
Course information
Size: Variable
Difficulty: Easy
Stone: Marble
Level: Beginner
Course instructor: Athar Jaber
Architectural Stone Masonry
Stonemasonry is based on a few simple principles that may look complex when combined.
The course starts by addressing the basics of this craft, such as carving a flat surface, a cavetto and an ovolo. From here on you will have gained the basic knowledge to find your way through general stonemasonry.
Additional exersices can be further discussed individually.
Suitable for all levels, you will be closely guided through the entire process.
A simple and relatively quick way to get started with stonecarving. Great for easily getting acquainted with measuring methods and carving techniques.
Skills developed
Basic measuring techniques
Use of flat chisels
Development of three-dimensional insight
Basic stonemasonry techniques
Discussion of basic stonemasonry elements
Course information
Size: Variable
Level: Beginner
Difficulty: Easy
Stone: Soft French Limestone
Minimum estimate of time required: 10 hours
Course instructor: Athar Jaber
Flower Motif
Learn how to carve a flower ornament. This basic exercise will provide you with a thorough knowledge and insight into the design underlying all flower motifs.
The flower motif is a pattern that recurres throughout various ages, from ancient Egypt to this day. While the aesthetics varies, the underlying structure has never changed.
This excercise is suitable for all levels, especially for beginners and it is the ideal introduction to ornmental carvings. You will be guided through the entire process, from how to transfer the simple design onto the stone, to the techniques involved to carve the motif.
Due to the simplicity and detailing of the piece, students will be able to carve this piece in marble. Making this an ideal excercise to get aquainted with carving in marble.
Skills developed
Use of Flat chisel and Roundel
Sharpening of chisels
Knowledge of underlying structure of basic ornaments
Transferring ornament design onto stone
Carving an ornament in 5 easy steps
Course information
Size: cm 15 x 15 x 2
Level: Beginner
Difficulty: Easy
Stone: Marble
Approximate estimate of time required: 30 hours
Course instructor: Athar Jaber
Baroque Putto
In this course you will learn how to carve the head of a Baroque Putto in high relief in 6 easy steps. Suitable for all levels, you will be guided through the entire process, from how to transfer a simple design onto the stone, to the techniques involved to carve the head.
Based on a plaster example, the direct carving method will be apllied. Each in between steps will be illustrated by three dimensional guiding samples that will be thoroughly discussed throughout the process.
The exercise will provide you with the knowledge to read and analyse the underlying structure of any sculpture. In this exercise all the facial features will be thoroughly discussed (mouth, nose, eye and hair) and as such, this is a great introduction to facial anatomy. Different chisels will be used (point chisel, tooth chisel, roundel and flat chisel) and various measuring techniques will be applied.
Skills developed
Various measuring techniques
Insight into facial anatomy (mouth, nose, eye, hair)
Transferring 3D model onto stone
Knowledge and use of the four main chisels
Carving of the Baroque Putto in 6 steps
Course information
Size: cm 15 x 15 x 15
Level: Beginner/Intermediate
Difficulty: Medium
Stone: Soft French Limestone
Approximate estimate of time required: 40/60 hours
Course instructor: Athar Jaber
Keystone Allegorical Mask (Greenman)
In this course you will learn to carve a keystone with the features of a grotesque mask. The exercise will give you an insight into the general design underlying all grotesque masks. Facial features and expression will be thoroughly discussed. The grotesque mask blend figurative features with ornamental and architectural ones and is a great way cover the three recurring aspects of sculpture.
Ideal for intermediate students who already have some experience in stone sculpture.
Skills developed
Various measuring techniques
Insight into facial anatomy (mouth, nose, eye, hair)
Insight into ornamental principles
Insight into architectural principles
Use of various chisels
Development of virtuosity skills
Course information
Size: cm 20 x 15 x 6
Level: Beginner/Intermediate
Difficulty: Medium
Stone: Soft French Limestone
Approximate estimate of time required: 40/60 hours
Course instructor: Athar Jaber
Neoclassical Child's Head
Here, we focus on the copy of a Neoclassical child’s head in the round.
This course is intended for intermediate or advanced students who have already been through the Baroque Putto excercise.
The full 3D character will provide further insight into the anatomy of a head and the delicacy of the facial features will further develop your technique and carving skills.
It is the logical and simplest way to get acquainted with figurative sculpture in the round. The excersice will sum up all previously gained knowledge of stone carving.
After this step you will be able to purse the carving of larger sculptures such as life-size portraiture.
Skills developed
Advanced measuring techniques
Insight into head and facial anatomy
Development of virtuous and delicate chisel control
Full understanding of sculpture in the full round
Course information
Size: cm 25 x 12 x 12
Level: Intermediate/Advanced
Level: Intermediate/Advanced
Stone: Soft French Limestone/ Marble
Approximate estimate of time required: 90 hours
Course instructor: Athar Jaber
Life-size Portrait Bust
With this exercise, you will learn more advance measuring techniques and the use of the pointing machine. The exercise will also further develop your skill to carve a life-size portrait bust.
This experience will provide you with a thorough knowledge of facial anatomy with a deep insight into the advanced details of its features. You will learn about the aesthetic principles behind a mouth, nose, eyes, ears and hair as well as general compositional design.
The carving of a marble bust is the last step to achieve full insight into classical stone carving and the stepping stone to attain sculptural confidence and maturity.
Skills developed
Advanced measuring techniques
Use of the pointing machine
Development of full chisels control
Full understanding of facial anatomy
Full understanding of sculpture in the round
Development of compositional insight
Ability to read and decipher any sculpture
Course information
Size: Various sizes (life-size)
Level: Advanced
Difficulty: Hard
Stone: Various options
Approximate estimate of time required: 140 hours
Course instructor: Athar Jaber
The exercises above are just a few from the wide range that we offer and recommend for both beginners and intermediate students. Plenty of other casts to copy from are available at our workshop to give you inspiration. You are also more than welcome to bring your own ideas along so that we can discuss the possibilities of a realization in stone.
Ready for a weekend class
or a private program?
Send us an e-mail to discuss the details.