The May 2025 course will take place in Ian Hamilton Finlay’s library at Little Sparta, the internationally acclaimed garden, Hamilton Finlay’s home, and his greatest work of art. Little Sparta is filled with numerous sculptures and poetic art works, created in collaboration with some of the most renowned letter carvers in both wood and stone, and at times with other poets and artists.

The course, led by Robbie Schneider, will explore letter carving in wood and will focus on technique and safe use of tools. No previous experience is necessary. All equipment will be provided. Students will practise carving incised lettering and will look in detail at choosing the right chisel for each cut and how wood grain direction affects carving. The course will also cover tool care and sharpening. We will look at the use of different timbers as well as trying out some alternative approaches to letter carving.

Robbie Schneider specialised in letter design, lettering sculpture and inscriptional letter carving after studying sculpture at Camberwell and Byam Shaw Art Schools in London. Working in Stone, wood, metals and other media, Robbie’s interest in the integration of text, material and form has gained him a reputation for both technically accomplished and innovative work, winning him many public and private commissions. Robbie exhibits regularly and is chairman of the Scottish Lettercutters Association, former chairman of Letter Exchange and an elected member of the Royal Society of Sculptors. Robbie teaches regularly and has run courses in Britain, Europe and Australia. His work can be found throughout Britain from Kent in the south to Shetland in the far north.

www.robbieschneider.co.uk
Instagram – @rslettering

Course details

The 3 day course will run on 16th, 17th and 18th May 2025, from 9.30am to 5.30pm. The fee for the 3 day course is £255. If you would like to  attend Robbie’s course at Little Sparta, please email contact@littlesparta.org.uk to register your interest. 

Please note: the specifics of the courses are not vetted or endorsed by the Lettering Arts Trust.