27 Stone Crafts courses

Mandalas, in essence, can be understood to be diagrams, patterns and pictures that are distillations of cosmic wisdom and harmony; repositories of archetypal intelligence. Mandalas offer a potentially powerful means of deepening one’s spiritual and contemplative practice. This is especially true when they are constructed - using the traditional tools of compass and straightedge - in a considered and contemplative manner. During this week-long course, Daniel Docherty will guide participants through the construction of a number of mandalas from different traditions including mandalas that embody significant planetary patterns. We will explore their inherent symbolism and cosmic correspondences. Participants will also make their our own inks and paints from plant and mineral in order to colour and ensoul their designs. 

Celtic Pattern, Geometry and Imagination A five-day extended course with Adam Tetlow 25-29 October 2021 SAOG Studios (Ruskin East) Emerson College, Forest Row, East Sussex, RH18 5JX, UK 10:00-17:00   Cost: £335 

Within this day you will learn how to mould a part of your/your partners/ your childs body in a safe, non toxic, water based material called alginate. You will then learn how to make a cast from that mould using a sculpture plaster. Once the cast is removed from the mould you will learn how to 'fettle' the cast in other words make it perfect, then you'll have the option of adding a colour to the cast or mounting it on a stand. What you learn during the course can be used to cast your children's hands and feet when you're back at home, I can supply all the materials you need to do this. I've been running this type of workshop for 25 years so I'm very experienced in the process. I cast my own mothers hands about a year before she died and they are my most prized possessions as they have picked up so much detail

During this class we will explore the creation of abstract sculpture starting with the development of ideas, shapes and forms, then we will use some composite sculpture material to transfer your ideas from a sketch to a 3 dimensional work. The material we use is rigid but very easily worked with rasps and reduction paper so you'll quite quickly gain confidence in working with it. We will supply a dust mast if requred You don't need any prior experience in sculpture or a background in art to enjoy this course, I'll take you through all aspects of the creative process. At the end of the day you'll have a piece of work to take away but we will also have discussed how to take your original to the next stage which will be moulding and casting to re-produce it in a hard wearing material.

The Alhambra Palace complex is home to some of the finest examples of Islamic Geometric Pattern in the world. During this three-day course we will learn how to construct a number of these patterns - ranging from the simple to highly sophisticated - using the traditional geometer's tools of compass and straightedge. This course will be led in a gentle, easy to follow, step-by-step manner, suitable for both beginners and experienced alike.

We are eagerly looking forward to welcoming Australian based Artsist/Educator and Projective Geometry expert Sophia Montefiore back to SAOG Studios for a Summer 2021 Projective Geometry course. Participants will be introduced to the fundamental and profound principles of this unique art form through drawing/construction and colour work focussing on Spirals, Buds and Vortex Forms.

This two-day course, led by Natasha Mann, will introduce students to the Art of Zouaq. Zouaq is a painting technique original to Morocco which creates arresting and powerful designs. Found painted onto ceilings, doors, furniture and wooden objects it is an integral part of the decoration of private homes and sacred spaces in Morocco. Students will also be given an introduction to the history of Zouaq and its different styles. Using the traditional techniques of egg tempera painting using hand ground natural pigments from earth and minerals, participants will choose their favourite design from a portfolio of Moroccan geometric patterns (ideally drawn during the prior Moroccan Geometric Pattern course (17 Sept. 2021) to create a stunning painting on wood to take home

The Golden Ratio:  Jewel of Geometry and Cosmos 23, 24 October 2021  with Daniel Docherty 10:00-17:00  Cost: £130  

Join us on a journey through the geometric arts of Ancient Egypt ... The profound relationship between qualitative geometry and the forms of architecture and sculpture is no where better expressed than in the ancient egyptian tradition. During this course we will be drawing inspiration from the work of R.A. Schwaller de Lubitcz, John Michell and others. The philosophical implications of the golden section in Egyptian art will be covered. The Pyramids: the pyramids and earth measure - we will draw and model the great pyramid of Giza to scale.

Join Daniel Docherty and Sheetle Shah for this practical two-day course exploring sacred pattern and the art of henna. On the first day of the course Daniel will give an overview of the practice and philosophy of Mandalas from various traditions. Participants will be introduced to certain key characteristics and significant symbolism inherent within traditional Mandalas. We will learn how to construct some of these sacred patterns using the traditional tools of compass and straightedge. Sheetle, a henna artist with 20 years of experience with this traditional art form, will guide participants through the processes of making and preparing henna paste 'from scratch'. You will learn how to apply intricate patterns to paper, hands or feet depending on your preference! Henna is a natural pigment with remarkable staining qualities. You will learn how it is traditionally applied to hands and feet during festivals and celebrations; today, henna is also applied for ‘belly blessings’, cosmetic tattoos, semi-permanent face painting, hair dye and has developed many other creative roles.