Whether you’re discovering engraving for the first time or building on existing skills, our courses and workshops give you the opportunity to learn directly from professional engravers. With expert tuition, small class sizes, and a supportive environment, you’ll develop traditional hand engraving techniques at your own pace.
Become a member and enjoy discounted course fees.
Current Courses
Hand Engraving: Basic Principles
Online
Saturday 4 - Sunday 5 October 2025, 10am - 4pm
Two-day intensive course,
Plus follow-up session: Saturday 18 October 2025, from 10am.
THIS COURSE IS NOW SOLD OUT.
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Fee: £305 (non-members) / £270 (members)
Tutor: Angus McFadyen
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An in-depth introduction to the tools, techniques and materials associated with hand engraving. Students will learn from live demonstrations by the professional hand engraver tutor and have plenty of opportunity to try engraving with traditional push tools. Sheet copper is provided for students to engrave on and a square graver and handle and custom made scriber – which you get to keep after the course. This course is organised by the Hand Engravers Association.
This is an ONLINE course but we replicate the workshop atmosphere and individual attention our students would receive in a face-to-face course as much as possible by keeping class sizes small, up to ten students maximum. Good internet access, a laptop/tablet and a smartphone are required.
About the Tutors
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Angus is a professional silversmith and engraver with over 25 years of experience producing tableware and working to commission. The majority of Angus’ work is surface decorated with low relief pictorial engraving, often with gold or silver inlays. In recent years Angus has specialised in clock and watch engraving. Angus is an experienced workshop leader, having taught at the Goldsmiths’ Centre and for the Creative Dimension Trust.
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Wayne is a highly respected and experienced engraver and teacher. He also runs his own workshop covering a wide range of skills within the subject, including calligraphy, heraldry and his specialist interest: hand cut seals. Wayne is one of just three engravers to have won the prestigious Hand Engravers Association Lifetime Achievement Award for his services to engraving and passing on skills.
Explore All Our Courses
We offer a range of workshops, including:
Hand Engraving: Basic Principles
An introduction for beginners, covering the essential tools and techniques.
Hand Engraving: Focus
Follow-on courses for those building their skills or exploring a specialism.
Browse the courses below and register your interest.
Hand Engraving: Basic Principles
In Person or Online
Learn the tools and techniques of hand engraving on metal with guidance from a professional tutor in person. All equipment is provided, and you’ll take home your engraved copper sheet along with your own graver.
Hand Engraving: Taster Sessions
Curious about hand engraving? Our three-hour Taster Sessions let you watch live demonstrations from a professional tutor and then try engraving with traditional tools.
Hand Engraving: Focus
on Traditional Scroll Carving
Learn traditional scroll engraving with deep relief carving techniques used by gun engravers. The tutor will demonstrate transfer and cutting methods before guiding you through carving a scroll into brass.
Hand Engraving: Focus
on Tool Preparation
Discover how to set up and maintain an onglette, round, and flat graver, with demonstrations from a master engraver. Students will prepare their own set of tools to take home and practise re-sharpening under guidance.
Hand Engraving: Focus
on Lettering
An introduction to engraving lettering for inscriptions, from single initials to short texts. The workshop focuses on two contrasting styles, bold roman and flowing script, giving students the chance to develop skills in both.
Hand Engraving: Focus
on Seal Engraving
This workshop offers an introduction to the specialist skill of seal engraving, giving line engravers the chance to learn the techniques involved in cutting seals.
