The Craxford Snelling Workshop

Slow day today, started new project (stiff leaf capital) so spent the majority of the day picking out a mould and stone. Managed a bit of carving in the early am but couldn’t get a proper head of steam. Started the drawing of the capital and will do some research by the end of the…

Started out modelling while the teachers went around the 3rd years. Nina wasn’t happy with that so moved onto the carving again at 10:30/11. Spoke to Kim and she said due to the length of the figure and where the viewer is the highest point should be the feet and knees, then drop back to…

Started calligraphy today, really good, u struggled but was great practice having a teacher instead of trying to teach myself. started with the italics. Need to make sure I notice mistakes as I write and train my eye in terms of spacing, forms and the slant of the italics. After quick pint (5:00 – 5:30)…

Started today with clay, carried on working it until 10:00am then moved into carving Starting to define edges of the leafs, carried on working volumes as I went to make sure they all worked together. By the end I started to dig into the in between of the leafs, I think my design is off…

The Craxford Snelling Workshop is now a limited company (Craxford Snelling Workshop LTD). Started the relief in clay, depth is 3mm, set on some dividers so I can check constantly (all my rulers are in inches). Started by building up layers but Tom Merrett quickly recommend I remove outside material instead to bring everything to…

Carving undulating leaf at college, went well today, happy with progress. Using claw is helping I think, felt easier to see the volumes and where I was going with the carving. Trying to keep it clean as I go. Progress throughout the day, last photo shows progress on that side only, need to do that…

In studio drawing out inscription for ‘Fate of the Guilty’, 1st draft done, needs lots of work with both spacing and letterforms. The ‘o’ shape is far too tilted compared to the ‘G’ so need to adjust them and the spacing is all over the place. Will correct in 2nd draft this week. The letters…

Was going to be in the studio finishing letters but spent more time at hospital than expected. I’ve broken my collar bone.

Writing on the way to Ruskin House on Friday as I forgot to yesterday. Carried on with lettering, cut the 10 letters, forgot to take photos too, take my word they were cut well and drawn badly. Picked up marble from GMI near Battersea Power Station, enough for my relief with Kofi, look forward to…

Lettering today, started with some calligraphy I had missed (was meant to be with Rosella but will have to catch up when she’s in next week). Only a couple of letters I’m remotely happy with, my excuse is I didn’t have time to warmup as I’m trying to catch up so much. Quickly moved onto…