Stone Carving
About this workshop
Learn the ancient art of stone carving in hands-on workshops led by sculptor Mattis Nicklas in Amsterdam. Suitable for complete beginners and experienced makers alike, you'll carve your own unique stone piece from start to finish.
What’s Included
- A small piece of limestone is provided free of charge. Larger stones can be ordered through me (these are not included in the course price).
- All necessary tools and equipment are provided.
- A vegetarian lunch including coffee, cookies and wine
- A short presentation during the break about stone sculpture and the work of a stone sculptor
About the host
My name is Mattis Nicklas, and I am a master stone sculptor with both journeyman and master qualifications from the Meisterschule für Handwerker in Kaiserslautern, Germany. My master certification includes professional teaching qualifications, allowing me to train and mentor future stone sculptors and stonemasons.
Throughout my education and professional career, I have mastered traditional stone carving techniques, including profile carving, tracery work, relief carving, letter cutting, and sculpture. My training also included portrait modelling, human figure modelling, mold making, and transferring plaster models into stone using traditional pointing techniques.
Between completing my journeyman and master qualifications, I worked in cathedral restoration and architectural stone conservation while also creating handcrafted gravestones. After moving to Amsterdam, I completed a Bachelor’s degree in Art Education at the Breitner Academy (Amsterdam University of the Arts).
Today, I teach stone sculpture and figurative modelling at various art centers and offer intensive small-group stone carving workshops from my own studio in Sloterdijk, Amsterdam. My courses are designed for both beginners and experienced makers who want to learn traditional craftsmanship combined with contemporary artistic approaches.
In my personal artistic practice, I focus on tracery and the reinterpretation of classical forms through a modern perspective. My work explores distortion, spatial tension, and the transformation of traditionally two-dimensional elements into dynamic three-dimensional forms. These investigations often create fascinating technical and artistic challenges that require innovative solutions.
Alongside sculptural work, I have a strong interest in Amsterdam’s historic facade stones, particularly their relief carvings, symbolism, and cultural significance.
Whether you are interested in learning stone carving, sculpture, relief work, or figurative modelling, my workshops provide hands-on experience rooted in traditional craftsmanship and contemporary artistic thinking.