Micklethwaite Studios reviews

Dan Fletcher reviewed: Stone carving in East Yorkshire at the Northern Sculpture Studios

"Had a days lettercutting with Alan and Tracey and what a fantastic day in a brilliant setting. Both absolutely lovely people with a vast knowledge of the craft, showing me how best to cut out the letters and marking them onto the stone. I have done a few courses at a few different places but this place is above anywhere I've been before and would definitely recommend for anyone wanting to learn anything about carving stone. Will definitely be back for more tuition."

Micklethwaite Studios responded:

"Hi Dan, Thank you so much for your lovely review. It was a pleasure to meet and teach you, and your approach to developing your carving skills was fantastic, with your beautifully carved letters being the outcome! We will really look forward to seeing you again. Best wishes, Alan and Tracey"

Glenn Gudgeopn reviewed: Stone carving in East Yorkshire at the Northern Sculpture Studios

"Spent a day in this lovely workshop with free parking nearby. Alan and Tracey were very friendly and great company throughout the day. I was shown how to plan and prepare my piece (dogs grave marker) and was really impressed by the end result. Their style is relaxed and encouraging. I will be back in the new year for another course. Brilliant day, would highly recommend"

Micklethwaite Studios responded:

"Hello Glenn, Thank you for your great review. It was lovely to meet you, and we are really pleased you enjoyed your day carving with us - the results of your letter carving were fantastic! We will look forward to seeing you here again soon to tackle your next project! Best wishes, Tracey"

Ashley Tallyn reviewed: Stone carving in East Yorkshire at the Northern Sculpture Studios

"If you have the slightest interest in stone carving, get yourself down to Driffield! I spent two days learning and carving with Alan and Tracey and cannot recommend it enough. I had a great time and learned so much about general stone carving and the restoration carving that I was particularly interested in. Alan was so generous with his time and I can't believe how much I was able to achieve. He is a great teacher and both he and Tracey were so welcoming. Tracey even went above and beyond to work with me and my hectic schedule to sort out a couple of dates that would work. My general interest in stone carving has been absolutely set alight and I can't wait to get stuck in on a project at home. At least until I can get back down to Driffield!! :)"

Micklethwaite Studios responded:

"Hi Ashley, Thank you so much for your great review! It was a pleasure to meet you, and we are so pleased to have been able to find some dates that made it possible for you to come along - especially as we love to hear your interest in carving has blossomed. You really did achieve a lot during your two days with us - and have created a fantastic carving. Enjoy your carving at home, and we will look forward to seeing you again here in Driffield too! Best wishes, Tracey"

Rob Bell reviewed: Stone carving in East Yorkshire at the Northern Sculpture Studios

"My wife booked me on this course as a surprise as I’d expressed a vague interest in carving. What a day!!! Tracey and Alan are really friendly and his relaxed teaching method is perfect. I carved a Yorkshire rose by following his very clear instructions. Friends and family can’t believe what I’ve done. If you fancy a go at stone carving, and there are lots of designs a beginner can try, then I would really recommend you get in touch with Tracey and Alan. Thank you so much for a great day."

Micklethwaite Studios responded:

"Hi Rob, Thank you for you great review! It is lovely to hear you really enjoyed your day with us, and I'm not surprised your friends and family are so impressed by what you have achieved - you did a fantastic job of carving your Yorkshire Rose. It was lovely to meet you, and we will hope to see you again in the future. Best wishes, Tracey"

Tim Litherland reviewed: Stone carving in East Yorkshire at the Northern Sculpture Studios

"Spent last Friday undertaking my first attempt at stone carving, it was a revelation bought to life by Alan and Tracey. They could not have been more helpful throughout the day. It was a relaxed pace to the day with allowing me to concentrate and get the most out of it. I am certainly considered how I might further myself in this art. Thank you Alan and Tracey."

Micklethwaite Studios responded:

"Hello Tim, Thank you for your lovely review. It was a pleasure to meet you, and you did a great job with getting to grips with tools, techniques and materials to create your carving! We will hope to see you again if you decide to continue your carving journey... Best wishes, Tracey"

Lisa Empson reviewed: Letter carving in East Yorkshire at the Northern Sculpture Studios

"What an excellent course. Extremely well taught, amiable and professional tuition in a great venue! It was a total surprise for my partner. Both of us novices. Love our finished pieces and can’t wait to book our next course. Thanks guys!"

Steph Smith reviewed: Stone carving in East Yorkshire at the Northern Sculpture Studios

"Had an excellent day with Alan and Tracey creating a carved Celtic knot in stone. As I was travelling quite a distance to the course ( and this was a 60th birthday present!), I needed to be sure that I was going to receive the best tuition possible. If you need to see the quality of Alan's work, read his book (Restoration Stone work by Alan Micklethwaite) it is AMAZING!!! However, just because a Crafts-person can create such wonderful work, doesn't always mean that they can teach the craft too........ thankfully, in this case, the tuition from Alan and Tracey was excellent. The choice of a Celtic Knot was a fantastic introduction to the craft, as it enabled me to practise a number of skills progressively and I was delighted with my first attempts at a new craft. If you are thinking about having a go at stonework, I urge you to try this workshop. It must be good......I'm already thinking about dates for going back......to try sculpture........or perhaps lettering..........!!!!"

Micklethwaite Studios responded:

"Hello Stephanie, Thank you for your lovely review, it was a pleasure to meet and teach you - and you did a great job with your first stone carving!! We will look forward to seeing you again at our Studios when you have another project in mind too..... Best wishes, Alan and Tracey"

Kristina Carr reviewed: Stone Carving 2 day Introduction Courses at Northern Sculpture

"An excellent introduction to stone carving - I'm hooked! I had a thoroughly enjoyable weekend learning the basics of the craft. Alan skilfully demonstrated the use of the tools and after choosing a pattern for our relief we were soon onto creating our own piece. As an absolute beginner I was surprised at what I managed to achieve by the end of the weekend. Throughout Alan gave encouraging tuition and positive feedback with supportive input from Tracey. Alan and Tracey have created a learning space which combines gallery and teaching workshop most effectively. They have a warm, relaxed style and are impart their evident knowledge and artistic skills in a gentle manner. Ample refreshment was provided throughout the day. I highly recommend Northern Sculpture and I'm very keen to return!"

Tina Kinnar reviewed: Stone carving in East Yorkshire at the Northern Sculpture Studios

"Had a fantastic day on the Knot work carving course. Learnt so much and I'm really pleased with the finished piece. Alan and Tracey are very friendly, the facilities are great, and it's a lovely relaxed environment in which to learn a new skill. I've never picked up a hammer and chisel before and I managed to make something I'm really happy with. I'll certainly be back in the future."

RME reviewed: Stone Carving 2 day Introduction Courses at Northern Sculpture

"A fantastic introduction to stone carving! I attended the two-day "Carving Drapery" course, offered during the spring term (to be repeated this summer). We began with an informal discussion of our interests in sculpture and my goals for the weekend. Alan then presented an instructive slide lecture on different styles and historical techniques of drapery carving; we analyzed a few examples in depth, chiefly with an eye to the sequence of steps involved and the tools necessary to achieve forms. After this introduction, we settled on a design (I had pre-selected drapery patterns from late-Gothic sculpture), and it was off to the workshop to start carving. Alan took me through the whole process, from the initial transfer of my pattern to the limestone, to the intermediary definition of contours and shaping of volumes, to the final smoothing of the surface. Alan demonstrated all the tools as we went along and pointed me in the direction of where to cut next, but he also encouraged me to explore the material independently. I became more and more confident wielding the chisels and competent at parsing tool marks--after two days, I left with a more or less finished relief! Away from the workbench, Alan and Tracey were incredibly hospitable. Both were also keen to relate their prior artistic training and ongoing practices. Overall, Northern Sculpture was a supportive and stimulating place for a novice to try carving. I look forward to a return visit, especially as Alan and Tracey continue to develop this relatively new organization. Highly recommended!"