This course will guide you through the process of designing and cutting common engraving fonts using a variety of traditional hand push gravers. From the selection of the correct graver, sharpening techniques and cutting fundamentals, through to design and layout of single and multi word text.

We will be covering three font styles, Block, Roman and Script and then move on to more ornamental style scripts and Victorian monograms.

Using copper plate as our main practice material, you will understand how each letter is constructed on paper and then how to interpret this construction to formulate the individual cuts that go into creating the letter using your graver.

This course is aimed at jewellers and hand craft artistes that want to incorporate lettering into their own work.

Level and ability. Lettering is a little different to other styles of art. We are taught how to construct letters from a very young age. We are all calibrated to know what an “S” should look like, and a G etc. Compare this to a flower where no two flowers are the same. We can draw a flower with artistic interpretation. Lettering comes with the customer having some expectation on the execution of the letter or text . A wonky ‘s’ , a larger letter in the middle of a word or irregular spacing etc are all visual standards that the customer can and will judge.

Although this may sound daunting, this adherence to a standard structure can actually work in our favour. It gives us, as engravers , rules in which to follow. If we have rules, we just need to follow them. This course will teach you the rules. Step by step.

Prerequisites

The course will go through from preparing the graver and sharpening techniques. However Lettering is considered a more intermediate skill in the engraving world. So previous engraving experience is an advantage.

Included

All lettering exercises will be practised on a flat copper plate, which is included as part of the course materials.

What students need to bring

You are encouraged to bring your own graver tools, or simply come as you are - tools will be provided.

• A notebook.
• An apron.

Available to buy

A good variety of art and craft materials are available from the Garden' Gatehouse Shop.

Additional information

For safety reasons, during each class, you are required to wear appropriate footwear, we request that no open toed shoes are worn.

Long hair should also be tied back when working with the equipment.

You may also wish to bring a notebook. We have handouts for many demonstrations, but there are always many tips and tricks given verbally by the tutor, which some might like to keep note of.

Arrival day - first date of course
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm for registration  
Student welcome, followed by dinner: 6.45pm (dinner included)
Teaching session: 8pm-9pm (attendance is essential)

Daily timetable
Course teaching: 9.15am-5pm  
Morning session: 9.15am-12.45pm including coffee/tea break  
Lunch break: 12.45pm-2pm (lunch included)  
Afternoon session: 2pm-5pm including coffee/tea break  
Teaching finishes: 5pm    
Evening working: students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with permission from the tutor and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.

Departure day - last date of course
Course teaching: 9.15am-3pm (lunch included)  
Teaching finishes: 3pm  

Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am.
Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required.

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