january, 2025

2025tue21jan(jan 21)10:00 amtue18mar(mar 18)12:30 pmLetter Carving: An Intro into Letter Cutting£186 (£126 concessionary cost) - Make your own carved stone with your house number or a paper weight with your initials  Coleridge Community CollegeDay:Tuesday length of course: 8 weeks

Carved numbers 36 into stone

Time

January 21 (Tuesday) 10:00 am - March 18 (Tuesday) 12:30 pm

Location

Coleridge Community College

Radegund Rd, Cambridge CB1 3RJ

length of course

8 weeks

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Course details

Brief Description: 

As the word of letter cutting implies, we will carve letters (or numbers) on stones.  In this beginner’s course, you will learn how to carve house numbers or paper weights using a piece of Welsh slate which is less challenging for a beginner than harder types of stone.   

During this course, you will be introduced to basic letter design and drawing which will be a base for good letter cutting.  The tutor will also show you some calligraphy which is also a source for letter design.  Without sound knowledge of lettering and the associated drawing skill, you can’t achieve a high level of letter cutting.   

Also handling and maintaining tools correctly are very important skills to achieve good hand cut lettering. You will use Tungsten Carbide head chisels and a dummy (a form of hammer), which will be provided.  The tutor will show you the correct technique to sharpen the chisels.  

As mentioned you will be using a piece of Welsh slate in this course but there will hopefully be some opportunities to cut various other stones which are native to the U.K. 

You will also get a brief history of letter cutting in the U.K. including Edward Johnston and Eric Gill. 

Please note: You will be handling stones, heavy and sharp tools so we highly recommend wearing  steel toe shoes or heavy duty shoes. 

Sandals or other casual shoes are not recommended.  

 

Previous Experience and Knowledge Needed?  

Complete beginners are welcome 

 

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the course, you will have the opportunity to learn: 

  • Basic history of letter cutting 
  • Basic knowledge of lettering (drawing letters)  
  • Basic skill of letter cutting 
  • How to handle tools and materials 

 

Extra costs on the course for example text book, materials or equipment:

Tools will be provided.   A piece of Welsh slate (15 x 15 x 2 cm) will be provided and the cost is already included in the price of the course. 

For the first session you will need to bring:

Drawing paper, pencil, a ruler (minimum 30cm long)  

 On completion of this course, what might your next steps be?

Learning calligraphy and lettering.  Further experience in letter cutting. 

Adult Learn and Train offer courses through-out the year.
Try similar courses or maybe look at learning something completely new.
You will find provision on some Saturday and Sunday’s , you will also find courses available in the day and evening at different venues in Cambridge. Courses vary in length from one-off sessions to 10 weeks or more

 

TO BOOK YOUR PLACE

£186 (£126 concessionary fee) – To book your place, contact the office on 01223 712340

Tutor

Emi GordonEmi studied BA Calligraphy and Bookbinding at the University of Surry, Roehampton (now Roehampton University). She is a professional letter cutter but has occasionally organised bookbinding courses for children and for adults.

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