{"title":"Online Sculpture Lessons","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eStone carving is a hands-on craft — but that doesn't mean you can't get started at home. These step-by-step online lessons are designed to take you from a blank block of stone to a finished sculpture, at your own pace and in your own space.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThe lessons work with any soft stone — Oamaru stone if you're in New Zealand, or whatever suitable local stone you can get your hands on elsewhere in the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eBefore you begin, you'll need a few basics: a stable work surface, the right tools, and a dust mask and safety glasses. If you're not sure what to get, have a look at the \u003ca class=\"underline underline underline-offset-2 decoration-1 decoration-current\/40 hover:decoration-current focus:decoration-current\" href=\"#\"\u003eTools \u0026amp; Materials page\u003c\/a\u003e first — it'll save you time and set you up properly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eEach lesson guides you through a complete sculpture from start to finish. Start with Lesson One and work through at your own pace — each lesson builds on the last.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"lesson-one-how-to-carve-a-koru-in-stone","title":"Lesson One: How to carve a Koru in stone","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Koru is one of the most recognised symbols in New Zealand — the unfurling frond of a young fern, representing new life, growth, strength, and peace. It's also one of the best first carvings you can attempt in stone: a flowing, organic shape that teaches you the fundamentals of the craft without overwhelming you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis lesson takes you through the entire process from a blank block of stone to a finished, sealed Koru — step by step, with photos at every stage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr style=\"border:none; border-top:2px solid #bf9000; margin:24px 0;\"\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"color:#bf9000; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:1px; font-size:14px;\"\u003eWhat's Inside\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e5 pages\u003c\/strong\u003e of clear written instruction\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e22 step-by-step photographs\u003c\/strong\u003e showing exactly what to do at each stage\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA printable Koru template\u003c\/strong\u003e — cut it out, glue it to cardboard, and trace it straight onto your stone\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e6 detailed steps covering everything from drawing the design to sanding and sealing the finished piece\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003chr style=\"border:none; border-top:2px solid #bf9000; margin:24px 0;\"\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"color:#bf9000; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:1px; font-size:14px;\"\u003eThe Six Steps\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003col\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDraw the design onto the stone and secure it in bench blocks\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eSaw away the excess stone around the design\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eTurn the stone, cut the coil edge, and chisel away material\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eRasp back to the pencil line to shape the form\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eCarve the hollow between the stem and the coil with a chisel\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eRound all edges with a rasp, sand with 80 grit then 220 grit, and apply silicon sealer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\n\u003chr style=\"border:none; border-top:2px solid #bf9000; margin:24px 0;\"\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"color:#bf9000; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:1px; font-size:14px;\"\u003eWhat You'll Need\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA stone block approximately \u003cstrong\u003e15cm × 9cm × 4cm\u003c\/strong\u003e — a soft stone like Oamaru stone works perfectly. Tools: a hand saw or angle grinder, a chisel and mallet, a rasp, sandpaper (80 and 220 grit), and silicon masonry sealer. \u003cstrong\u003eSafety:\u003c\/strong\u003e always wear a dust mask and safety goggles when cutting and sanding stone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr style=\"border:none; border-top:2px solid #bf9000; margin:24px 0;\"\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"color:#bf9000; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:1px; font-size:14px;\"\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis lesson is written for complete beginners. No prior stone carving experience is needed. If you've ever wanted to try stone carving but didn't know where to start, this is it. You'll finish with a real, hand-carved sculpture — something you made yourself from a block of stone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"background:#f9f6ef; border-left:4px solid #bf9000; padding:14px 18px; font-size:14px; margin-top:24px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDelivered as a PDF download.\u003c\/strong\u003e You'll receive a link to download the lesson immediately after purchase.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Shaugn David Briggs Artist","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39436280004747,"sku":"","price":10.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1625\/7385\/files\/Lesson-cover-1-koru.jpg?v=1777175724"},{"product_id":"lesson-two-how-to-carve-a-native-flax-plant-in-stone","title":"Lesson Two: How to Carve an Abstract Native Flax Plant in Stone","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe harakeke — native New Zealand flax — is one of the most graceful forms in nature. This lesson teaches you how to translate that flowing, organic shape into stone, creating a sculpture with real contrast between light and shadow. It's still a beginner's lesson, but a step up in challenge from the Koru — a good next project once you've got the basics under your belt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is Lesson 2 in the series. If you haven't carved before, it's worth starting with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/lesson-one-how-to-carve-a-koru-in-stone\"\u003eLesson One: the Koru\u003c\/a\u003e — but if you're comfortable with the basics, you can jump straight in here.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr style=\"border: none; border-top: 2px solid #bf9000; margin: 24px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"color: #bf9000; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 1px; font-size: 14px;\"\u003eWhat's Inside\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e7 pages\u003c\/strong\u003e of clear written instructions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e28 step-by-step photographs\u003c\/strong\u003e guiding you through every stage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA printable Flax template\u003c\/strong\u003e — cut it out, mount it on cardboard, and trace it onto your stone\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDetailed guidance on drilling, cutting, chiselling, rasping, and creating sharp sculptural edges\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr style=\"border: none; border-top: 2px solid #bf9000; margin: 24px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"color: #bf9000; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 1px; font-size: 14px;\"\u003eWhat You'll Learn\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis lesson introduces a key new skill — carving raised edges that catch the light and create depth and shadow across the surface of the stone. You'll drill through the stone to create the loop in the flax form, cut and chisel the outline, use a rasp to shape angled surfaces, and sand to a finish that shows off the contrast between flat planes and sharp edges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr style=\"border: none; border-top: 2px solid #bf9000; margin: 24px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"color: #bf9000; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 1px; font-size: 14px;\"\u003eWhat You'll Need\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA stone block approximately \u003cstrong\u003e20cm × 8cm × 4cm\u003c\/strong\u003e. Tools: a hand saw, a size 12 drill bit, a chisel and mallet, a rasp, sandpaper (80 and 220 grit), and silicon masonry sealer. \u003cstrong\u003eSafety:\u003c\/strong\u003e always wear a dust mask and safety goggles when cutting and sanding stone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr style=\"border: none; border-top: 2px solid #bf9000; margin: 24px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"color: #bf9000; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 1px; font-size: 14px;\"\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis lesson is suited to beginners who have either completed the Koru lesson or have some basic experience with stone. The techniques build on Lesson One — if the Koru taught you how to shape a form, this lesson teaches you how to make it dramatic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"background: #f9f6ef; border-left: 4px solid #bf9000; padding: 14px 18px; font-size: 14px; margin-top: 24px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDelivered as a PDF download.\u003c\/strong\u003e You'll receive a link to download the lesson immediately after purchase.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Shaugn David Briggs Artist","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39440758603915,"sku":"","price":12.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1625\/7385\/files\/Lesson-cover-2-flax.jpg?v=1777171995"},{"product_id":"lesson-three-how-to-carve-a-love-heart-candle-holder-in-stone","title":"Lesson Three: How to Carve a Love Heart Candle Holder in Stone","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is a sculpture with a purpose. You'll carve a heart from a block of stone — shaped, smoothed, and finished — then drill a hole in the front to hold a tea light candle. On the back, a Koru spiral is carved in relief. The result is something functional and beautiful, and it makes a meaningful gift.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is Lesson 3 in the series. It introduces some new techniques — including drilling a cavity into the stone — so some experience with the basics is helpful. If you're new to stone carving, start with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/lesson-one-how-to-carve-a-koru-in-stone\"\u003eLesson One: the Koru\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr style=\"border: none; border-top: 2px solid #bf9000; margin: 24px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"color: #bf9000; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 1px; font-size: 14px;\"\u003eWhat's Inside\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e5 pages\u003c\/strong\u003e of step-by-step instruction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e18 photographs\u003c\/strong\u003e showing each stage of the carving process\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA printable Heart template\u003c\/strong\u003e — trace it directly onto your stone block\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e10 detailed steps from rough block to finished candle holder\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr style=\"border: none; border-top: 2px solid #bf9000; margin: 24px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"color: #bf9000; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 1px; font-size: 14px;\"\u003eWhat You'll Make\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA hand-carved stone heart with a Koru design on the back and a recessed tea light holder drilled into the front. The lesson covers shaping the heart outline, carving the Koru in relief on the reverse, drilling the candle cavity to fit a standard tea light, and sanding to a smooth finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr style=\"border: none; border-top: 2px solid #bf9000; margin: 24px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"color: #bf9000; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 1px; font-size: 14px;\"\u003eWhat You'll Need\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA stone block approximately \u003cstrong\u003e13cm × 9cm × 6cm\u003c\/strong\u003e — the depth is important to leave enough stone beneath the candle hole. Tools: a hand saw, a chisel and mallet, a 38mm spade drill bit, a rasp or file, sandpaper (80 and 240 grit). \u003cstrong\u003eSafety:\u003c\/strong\u003e always wear a dust mask and safety goggles when cutting and sanding stone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr style=\"border: none; border-top: 2px solid #bf9000; margin: 24px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"color: #bf9000; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 1px; font-size: 14px;\"\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis lesson is suited to anyone who has completed Lesson One or Two, or who has some basic stone carving experience. It's the most rewarding of the three — you end up with something you can actually use, and something that looks beautiful doing it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"background: #f9f6ef; border-left: 4px solid #bf9000; padding: 14px 18px; font-size: 14px; margin-top: 24px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDelivered as a PDF download.\u003c\/strong\u003e You'll receive a link to download the lesson immediately after purchase.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Shaugn David Briggs Artist","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39440765354123,"sku":"","price":15.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1625\/7385\/files\/Lesson-cover-3-heart.jpg?v=1777172143"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.artist.co.nz\/collections\/online-sculpture-lessons.oembed","provider":"Shaugn David Briggs Artist","version":"1.0","type":"link"}