Learning to carve stone gives you a way to create artistic and decorative pieces that will last a lifetime from materials that can be found anywhere. Although the material itself is heavy, carving it doesn't have to be heavy. With the right tools, a little skill, and a little practice, you can learn to carve beautiful designs into stone for your home, garden, or as a gift.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Collecting Tools and Materials
Step 1. Find a rock
The level of skill and the design you want to make will determine the type of stone needed.
- Rocks with a flat surface, such as river stones, are best for beginners.
- Softer sedimentary rock (such as sandstone, limestone, and talc) is easier to drill.
- Keep your eyes on the rocks when at the beach, at the park, etc. or buy stone carvings from arts and crafts stores in your area.
Step 2. Purchase an electric engraver or a rotary tool
Instead, you can use a sharp chisel and a hammer or hammer to carve, but an electric engraver will make the process much easier.
- Look for an electric engraver or tuner grinder that can be replaced.
- The carbide tip is suitable for carving softer stones such as sandstone, limestone, or talc. The diamond tip is best used for engraving harder stone or glass.
- Engraver tips are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. For basic designs, your tool's standard carbide tips will suffice. Over time, you can add to the complexity of your design by using conical ends to create line details and cylindrical ends for a gradation and dimension effect.
- Electric engraving tools or tuner grinders can be purchased at your local hardware and craft store, or online.
Step 3. Find a wax-based pencil, marker, or stencil
Sketching your design onto the stone or making a stencil before you start carving will keep you from making mistakes while working.
- Wax-based pencils, porcelain or permanent markers can be used to draw your designs directly on the stone.
- You can make simple stencils using cardboard or transparencies and a cutter.
- Beeswax and latex paint are a selection of design tools that can be used to color and polish your stone.
Step 4. Purchase safety glasses
Safety glasses must be worn during the entire engraving. Engraving will splash small pieces of rock and dust into the air which can hurt your eyes.
Step 5. Take a basin of water
Prepare a basin of water large enough to submerge the rock. This basin filled with water will be used to cool and clean the stone during the engraving process.
Part 2 of 4: Creating Designs
Step 1. Choose a design for your stone
The skill level, size and shape of the stone, and the intended use of the stone have a role in making the design. Inspirational words, names, flowers, leaves, sun, or other basic shapes are good design choices for beginners.
- Create your own unique design or write the word you want to engraved.
- Search the internet for stencil designs that can be printed and cut.
- Create designs with a computer. Draw a picture or write a word using the font you like. Adjust the size of the design with stones and print it on black and white paper.
Step 2. Sketch or stencil your design
Whether you're engraving an image like a flower or feather or writing a word, having a design or stencil to follow will make the process a lot easier and give a neater result.
- Practice drawing your design on a piece of paper before sketching it directly onto the rock.
- Make a Stencil. If you are printing an image to use, place a sheet of printed paper on it and trace it with a pencil. Glue the tracing lines to cardboard or transparencies and cut out the design using a cutter.
Step 3. Practice carving on the extra stone
Make yourself familiar with the process of engraving using a stone similar to the one you will be using.
- Use the engraving tool to make straight lines across the rock in various directions.
- Vary the pressure you use to draw the line. Draw the lines using light, fine strokes. Repeat from the beginning and draw lines using more pressure. Observe the difference in line results.
- Draw a circle or other shape on the rock.
- If you are going to write a word in stone, practice making different letters.
Part 3 of 4: Preparing the Stone
Step 1. Clean the stone
Start by wiping any dust or debris off the rock with a damp cloth. Allow the stone to dry on its own or dry with a clean cloth.
Step 2. Transfer your design to the stone
Sketch your design on the rock directly using a wax pencil or marker, or stick a stencil to the rock.
- Use a wax-based pencil to draw the design if the stone is rough or porous. Use a porcelain or permanent marker to draw on stone with a smooth, glass-like surface.
- Place the stencil wherever you want on the rock. Attach the stencil using adhesive tape so it doesn't slide around while engraving your design.
Step 3. Keep the rock from shifting
Once something is engraved in stone, the marks cannot be erased, so make sure the stone doesn't shift when you engrave.
- If the rock is flat and won't roll or slip, simply place it on a flat surface.
- Placing a non-slip mat under your stone will help ensure it doesn't slip.
- If the bottom of the stone isn't flat, you can keep it from sliding with a vise or clamp, which can be found at your local hardware store.
Part 4 of 4: Carving Stone
Step 1. Trace your design with an engraving tool
Set the engraving tool to a low speed and slowly trace the outline of your design with light, unbroken strokes.
- Start by tracing the primary lines of the design. Draw shallow grooves to more or less outline the design.
- Continue to trace the outline of your design with the engraving tool. Instead of pressing hard to engrave your design, lightly trace the line many times.
- Occasionally dip the stone into a basin of water to cool it. This will also help clear debris from the design grooves so you can more easily see your work.
- Continue scribbling the design lines until you reach the depth you want.
- Add a gradient effect or other detail to your design. Carve thinner lines in the same direction as your design's primary lines to create a gradient effect.
Step 2. Clean the stone
When you are finished carving, clean the stone in a basin of water or wipe it with a damp cloth. Let it dry naturally or dry with a clean cloth.
- If you want the stone to be very shiny, use beeswax and a rag to buff and polish it. This will help your design stand out and give the stone an extra shine.
- If you want to add color to your design, use latex paint to fill in the grooves. Black paint on a bright stone or white paint on a dark stone can really make your design stand out.
Step 3. Show off your carved stone
Place it indoors, on your porch, in your garden, or give it to someone as a unique gift.
- Larger stones can be used to create unique stepping stones for a garden.
- A heavy stone can be used as a doorstop or a bookmark on a shelf.
- Small pebbles engraved with inspirational words or special dates can make great gifts.
Warning
- Always wear safety glasses when carving stone.
- Follow all manufacturer's instructions when using gauges or tuner grinders.
- Keep the engraver or tuner grinder away from a basin of water to avoid the risk of electric shock.
