Stone carving for beginners - Weymouth

Jan R reviewed: Stone carving for beginners - Weymouth

"What a great day in a beautiful setting! My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our course for beginners and both came away 'dusty' but very proud of our Portland stone carvings. John was a very good instructor, with a wealth of skill and knowledge, providing all the tools we needed and giving both advice and praise to everyone in the group. "

Sculptor John Davey responded:

" Many thanks for your kind words Jan, great group dynamic and wonderful weather. You both carved beautiful sculptures. Do send me a photo of the stones when you have chosen a spot to show them off. Take care, John. "

Jo Goram reviewed: Stone carving for beginners - Weymouth

"Fantastic day with just the right amount of fellow students. Stunning venue and a very informative, helpful and encouraging tutor. I also brought home a piece of work that I was very proud to show my family. Thank you "

Sculptor John Davey responded:

" Thanks, Jo, had a great day myself. It's always a privilege to pass on my stone carving passion to enthusiastic first-timers. Glad you enjoyed yourself. Great carving. Take care, John."

Karen Short reviewed: Stone carving for beginners - Weymouth

"My husband and I had a great day on this course. The setting is lovely and John is a brilliant teacher. We were both amazed by what we managed to achieve in a day and delighted with our carvings, can't wait to show them off to friends & family. Would certainly recommend this course."

Sculptor John Davey responded:

" Thanks, Karen for your kind words. Glad you both enjoyed yourselves. We certainly had great weather! Great group dynamic. You both achieved beautiful sculptures. Bravo. Take care, John."

Naomi reviewed: Stone carving for beginners - Weymouth

"Me and my mum had a brilliant day carving with John in July. The setting is stunning, John a great teacher and the art of carving is good fun. Highly recommend!"

Sculptor John Davey responded:

" Thanks for that Naomi, always a pleasure to pass on the art of stone carving. you all did brilliantly. Great group dynamic. Thanks again for your kind review. John."

Sharon reviewed: Stone carving for beginners - Weymouth

"Had a great day with John. A wonderful setting and John provided excellent instruction. Highly recommended."

Sculptor John Davey responded:

" Thanks for that Sharon. Always a pleasure passing on my knowledge of stone carving. Had a great day myself. Hopefully see you again to create another fabulous sculpture. Take care John."

Jane Jackson reviewed: Stone carving for beginners - Weymouth

"I attended my 2nd course with John Davey a few weeks ago at the idyllic setting overlooking Portland Harbour. He is such a good tutor and I've been delighted with how my relief sculptures turned out. His passion for stone carving is infectious."

Sculptor John Davey responded:

" Thanks Jane its great to have another happy Student. Shouldn't really be teaching you too many skills! You could become a future stone carving competitor. Really glad you enjoyed yourself. Take care and keep chipping. John."

Paula & Tony reviewed: Stone carving for beginners - Weymouth

"We had a great day with John. He passed on his skills in a way that we could understand. We both produced a lovely relief carving to display in our garden. He was attentive,informative with a good sense of humour. Location was fabulous .would return for anotner session.Thanks John Paula&Tony."

Sculptor John Davey responded:

" Thanks for your kind words Paula, Tony. Was great to have you there. Really enjoyed seeing how your sculptures developed during the day. Was thinking of doing a two day course next year carving a deep relief carving in Maltese Limestone to push sculpting techniques. Will keep you up to date. Take care and keep chipping. John."

Andrew Nicholls reviewed: Stone carving for beginners - Weymouth

"If hestitating please book onto this excellant class. I was a complete beginner to stone carving and without any real artistic experience but the host soon put me at ease with their calm manner. They were attentive when needed...which was quite a few times...with a great overall knowledge which they were happy to pass on. The setting was perfect which helped to inspire what creativity I had in me. Class size was ideal enabling everyone to engage with each other and who were all very supportive. I would have no hesitation in recommending this class and host."

Sculptor John Davey responded:

" Thank you Andrew for your kind words. I had a really enjoyable day with you all. Great group dynamic and energy. So glad you had an inspiring day. Take care John."

Karen Swain reviewed: Stone carving for beginners - Weymouth

"I gave this experience to my husband for his Christmas gift ( he is a builder- retired). He would recommend the day 100% and had such a good time. John was so good, he it patient and encouraging. If the day was out of five stars he would give him six! We now have a beautifully carved Portland stone dove. Thank you John"

Sculptor John Davey responded:

" Thanks Karen, Arthur. It was a great day passing on my love of stone carving. Its quite exiting to see how my students progress in their skills and watching the sculptures evolve towards their finish. Well done Arthur, great work. Take care John."

Graham Lant reviewed: Stone carving for beginners - Weymouth

"John is an excellent instructor, he is passionate about his skills, everything provided and wonderful location. I took my own design and John was as excited as I was about bring the stone to life. Throughly recommend and will attend the expert course."

Sculptor John Davey responded:

" Thanks for that Graham. I really enjoyed myself as well. Looking forward to meeting you again to hone your stone carving skills. Great sculpture well done you. Do send me a photo of your work when its washed and in place. Take care John."

Jane Jeans & Sue Fudge reviewed: Stone carving for beginners - Weymouth

"A thoroughly enjoyable, inspirational, friendly, relaxed and yet so well organised course with everything you needed provided. John is an excellent tutor. Sue and I have attended a lot of art and craft courses over the years and this is right up there as one of the very best. Complete novices with regards to Stone carving yet we came home with pieces we were proud of. Thank you John, we’ll be back!"

Sculptor John Davey responded:

" Thanks Jane, Sue the pleasure was all mine. You were both very good students, really enjoyed your company and energy, all creating a very enjoyable group dynamic. I,m both proud and humble to pass on my passion. Hope to see you soon. John."

Hester and Mike Henebury reviewed: Stone carving for beginners - Weymouth

"A brilliant day at Sculpture by the Lakes with John Davey, 'having a go' at stone carving for the first time. John was an excellent tutor - very patient, very skilled and knowledgeable. He explained things in simple terms and was incredibly encouraging. We both had a wonderful day and left with our own personal creations, which was most satisfying."

Sculptor John Davey responded:

" The pleasure was all mine Hester, Mike. You both carved some fantastic sculptures. I really enjoy seeing new sculptors discover the craft of stone carving. Passing on my love of stone."

Beki Murphy reviewed: Stone carving for beginners - Weymouth

"John is a great tutor. I learnt so much from our one day course at Sculptures by the Lake. He was very patient, taking us through the processes we would require. I am v. pleased with my finished piece. It was a very relaxing and enjoyable course and I would definitely recommend."

Tony reviewed: Stone carving for beginners - Weymouth

"I had never done anything like this before (I may be a scientist and psychologist, definitely not an artist!) but I loved my taster workshop and being able to discover the curled up cat sleeping a few millimetres below the surface of a beautiful piece of Portland stone: a revelation to passer-bys, viewers, and a miracle to me! John is a great teacher! Thank you! …. and I shall come back next birthday if I may …."

Kate Adcock reviewed: Stone carving for beginners - Weymouth

"Really enjoyed the day course I did with John at White Stones on Portland recently. Excellent, highly skilled teacher in a relaxed environment. Pleased with my results and would take another course in the future."

Jane Plant reviewed: Stone carving for beginners - Weymouth

"I tried stone carving for the first time with John Davey last Summer. I was a complete novice and apprehensive but every step of the way John offered advice and encouragement. His skill is amazing both as a mason and a teacher. I would recommend him to everyone as a brilliant introduction to this art. Also ask to see his portfolio as all his work is inspirational!"