Letter engraving with Dario Batzella at Yardley Arts Northamptonshire

Description

Discover the timeless craft of hand-engraved lettering in this immersive two-day workshop led by award-winning professional engraver Dario Batzella. This hands-on course introduces you to the essential tools, techniques, and design principles behind beautifully engraved letterforms on metal. Course Overview: Learn the fundamentals of traditional letter engraving — from preparing your tools and plate to understanding the anatomy of letterforms and achieving precision in your cuts. Through guided demonstrations and practice sessions, you’ll develop the skills needed to engrave elegant letters by hand. By the end of the second day, you’ll have created a personal engraved monogram, inscription, or nameplate, showcasing your new engraving skills. Day 1 – Foundations & Practice * Tool preparation and sharpening demonstration * Introduction to the types of gravers used for lettering and how to maintain them (Your gravers will be pre-prepared before the session.) * Preparing your copper plate and learning the basic engraving cuts used to form letters * Introduction to letter design – proportions, spacing, and layout for engraving * Practice session: engraving straight lines, curves, and simple letter strokes Day 2 – Design & Engrave Your Own Lettering * Design your own lettering piece, choosing from monograms, initials, or short inscriptions * Transfer your design onto the metal surface * Engrave your final piece using the skills learnt in day 1 * Dario’s step by step guidance will include tips on polishing, finishing, and maintaining engraved surfaces Materials & Equipment Included: Sheet copper, engraving toolkit (gravers & handles) PLEASE NOTE: If you have not completed the beginners engraving course you will need to purchase the beginners graver kit in addition to the lettering graver kit supplied with this course. This must be ordered in advance and purchased directly from the tutor – £50 Bring your own: Eye glass, Optivisors or close-work glasses for detailed work and a sand bag (if you have one) About the Tutor: Dario Batzella is a professional hand engraver based in Edinburgh. Trained in engraving techniques at the School of Art and Medals in Italy, he has produced numerous award-winning works, including the Goldsmiths’ Silver Award in Senior Engraving (2019) and two Bronze Awards (2023). Level: Beginners

What's included in the price?

Sheet copper and an engraving tool kit are included in the course fee. PLEASE NOTE: If you have not completed the beginners engraving course you will need to purchase the beginners graver kit in addition to the lettering graver kit supplied with this course. This must be ordered in advance and purchased directly from the tutor – £50

Cancellation policy

Medium - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 4 weeks before the course starts

Maker

Beccy Gillatt Jewellery

with Craft Courses since 2018

Message the tutor

I was interested in making and designing from a very early age and developed my first jewellery range in 2000. I then discovered my love for teaching in 2004 and have been developing my courses ever since. I have a home teaching studio for 1:1 & 1:2 sessions and in 2017 I set up a teaching studio at Yardley Arts where I can teach up to 11 learners. Qualifications: BA in Designed Metalwork and Jewellery from BCUC and MA Royal College of Art Goldsmithing, Silversmithing, Metalwork and Jewellery.