Working Methods

Once the block has been carefully selected at the quarry, it is brought into the workshop to be fettled and checked over.  Any loose material is removed and the outline of the sculpture  is drawn onto the stone.

Basically there are three stages to carving a piece of stone

• firstly roughing out the shape
• then refining and defining
• and finally finishing the surface

Initially a large mallet and claw chisel are used to take material away as quickly as possible.  Once done, work progresses with a smaller claw chisel, point or flat chisel to define and achieve the detail required.  When this detail is complete, the surface can be finished, textured or filed and sanded smooth.