WELCOME TO OUR COURSES
Please scroll down for dates and details of our upcoming courses and workshops. Some are offered for beginners, those with some experience and professional hand engravers. Some courses are members only and all fee paying courses offer discounts to members. It really is worth taking a few minutes to join at www.membermojo.co.uk/handengravers. Membership starts from as little as £30.
Hand Engraving: Introduction for Beginners courses
Ever wanted to learn a traditional craft skill? No previous craft or art experience is necessary as the ‘Hand Engraving: Introduction for Beginners’ courses are an in-depth introduction to the techniques and tools of hand engraving on metal. However, if you are a jeweller, silversmith or metalworker looking to try engraving, this workshop is also ideal. With demonstrations by the tutor and plenty of time to practice engraving under their guidance, our aim is for you to go home with the knowledge and confidence to develop your skills over time. You’ll be shown how to set up a square graver with mushroom handle and make your own bespoke scriber, which you can take home after the course. Taught by professional engraver and silversmith Angus McFadyen, the class size is kept to just ten students and run as a weekend course. Generous discounts are available to members. It’s quick and easy to join, with memberships starting from £30 per year.
Hand Engraving: Focus courses
Intended as a follow on for students who have attended the ‘Hand Engraving: Introduction for Beginners’ courses each focus course offers amateur and trainee engravers the opportunity to develop and improve their hand engraving skills. It is also aimed at more experienced engravers who wish to try a new specialism. These ‘Hand Engraving: Focus’ courses were launched in 2019, with thanks to the Trustees of the Goldsmiths’ Centre for supporting the development of our training programme.
Click the panels below for further details about the courses and tutors
AIMS OF THE COURSES
For beginners: The aims will be to develop a sound basic understanding of the tools, techniques and materials used in hand engraving, on which to progressively build skills and knowledge. You will be shown and have a chance to try for yourself:
- The setting up, sharpening and polishing of appropriate tools
- Holding devices and methods
- Marking out and transferring techniques
- The cutting of metal, with exploration of combined techniques
- Production of samples from a supplied master
- Methods of erasure
- Finishing techniques
ABOUT THE TUTORS
Wayne Parrott
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.
Angus McFadyen
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.
Book now – request a booking form from info@handengravers.org.uk
Current course dates and prices
Courses are usually in London or Manchester. The courses are aimed at all skill levels, from complete beginners, to improvers, to experienced jewellers and silversmiths.
We very much regret to say that the courses scheduled for March (London), May (Manchester) and June (London) 2020 have been cancelled due to the Covid-19 outbreak. (We have contacted all students individually, please contact us if you have not received the message)
HAND ENGRAVING: INTRODUCTION FOR BEGINNERS
London – 19-20 September 2020, 9.30am-5.00pm (two day intensive course, Saturday – Sunday)
£310 (non members) or £275 (members) Tutor: Angus McFadyen, Venue: Craft Central at the Forge, 397-411Westferry Road, Isle of Dogs, London, E14 3AE. Please email info@handengravers.org.uk for more information, place availability and a booking form.
An in-depth introduction to the tools, techniques and materials associated with hand engraving. Students will learn from demonstrations by the professional hand engraver tutor and have plenty of opportunity to try engraving with push tools that they have sharpened under the guidance of the tutor. Sheet copper is provided for students to engrave on and a square graver and handle and custom made scriber – which they get to take home after the course. This course is organised by the Hand Engravers Association.
We keep class sizes small, to ten students maximum. Please note that places will be offered as priority to students who had an existing booking cancelled due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
PAST COURSES AND EVENTS
HAND ENGRAVING: FOCUS ON LETTERING
23 February 2020, 9.30am-5.00pm (one day intensive course, Sunday)
£195 (non members) or £160 (members) Tutor: Sarah Hobbs, Venue: The Forge, Craft Central, 397-411 Westferry Road, London, E14 3AE . Please email info@handengravers.org.uk for more information, place availability and a booking form. An introduction into engraving lettering, singular e.g. initials or text for inscriptions. Aimed at students who have some previous experience with hand engraving (using push tools) and will have some basic skills and samples of their engraving. We will mainly concentrate on two styles, roman and script. The first is very blockish and the other a more cursive style as a contrast. This course is organised by the Hand Engravers Association.
HAND ENGRAVING: FOCUS ON LETTERING – SOLD OUT
2 November 2019, 9.30am-5.00pm (one day intensive course, Saturday)
£195 (non members) or £160 (members) Tutor: David Bedford, Venue: The Goldsmiths’ Centre, 42 Britton Street, London, EC1M 5AD . Please email info@handengravers.org.uk for more information, place availability and a booking form. An introduction into engraving lettering, singular e.g. initials or text for inscriptions. Aimed at students who have some previous experience with hand engraving (using push tools) and will have some basic skills and samples of their engraving. We will mainly concentrate on two styles, roman and script. The first is very blockish and the other a more cursive style as a contrast. This course is organised by the Hand Engravers Association, in collaboration with The Goldsmiths’ Centre.
** UPDATE 7/10/2019 This course is now SOLD OUT but please contact us at info@handengravers.org.uk to be put on the waiting list. Dependent on demand, we may organise another course **
HAND ENGRAVING: INTRODUCTION FOR BEGINNERS – LONDON – SOLD OUT
26-27 October 2019, 9.30am-5.00pm (two day intensive course, Saturday – Sunday)
£310 (non members) or £275 (members) Tutor: Angus McFadyen, Venue: The Forge at Craft Central, 397-411 Westferry Road, London E14 3AE . Please email info@handengravers.org.uk for more information, place availability and a booking form. An in-depth introduction to the tools, techniques and materials associated with hand engraving. Students will learn from demonstrations by the professional hand engraver tutor and have plenty of opportunity to try engraving with push tools that they have sharpened under the guidance of the tutor. Sheet copper is provided for students to engrave on and a square graver and handle and custom made scriber – which they get to take home after the course. This course is organised by the Hand Engravers Association, in collaboration with The Goldsmiths’ Centre. ** UPDATE at 8/10/19 this course is SOLD OUT. Please email us if you would like to be added to the waiting list **
HAND ENGRAVING: SUMMER SCHOOL – FULLY BOOKED
22nd-26th July 2019, 10am-5.30pm (five day intensive course, Monday-Friday)
NEW FOR 2019! Using the workshop at the Goldsmiths’ Centre in central London, the one week summer school will introduce promising beginners to hand engraving. Overseen by one lead tutor, Angus McFadyen, the course also has five visiting tutors from a broad range of engraving specialisms including seal engraving and gun engraving. The one week format will enable students to explore hand engraving at a greater depth than is possible at the Association’s weekend courses. It will also enable tutors to identify potential apprentices within the student group.
Aimed at school leavers, undergraduates or aspiring engravers wishing to develop craft skills and learn about career paths in hand engraving, this is a practical, hands-on skills led course combined with talks and demonstrations from professional engravers.
The course will be tailored to the needs and levels of its participants. Specifically, what we cover will depend on what you tell us about your background, and what you hope to gain.
With thanks to the generous support of our partner, the Goldsmiths’ Centre, the course is offered FOR FREE. To be eligible to apply for a place you must return a completed application form, be UK resident and a member of the Hand Engravers Association. (Join at www.membermojo.co.uk/handengravers). There is no age limit.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: SUNDAY 30 JUNE 2019 (5pm), TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS MONDAY 1 JULY
If you are interested please apply early, as places are limited
REQUEST AN APPLICATION FORM FROM info@handengravers.org.uk