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Escuela de Arte y Superior de Diseño de Mérida. Ciclo de Grado Medio de Reproducciones Artísticas en Piedra
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Architectural Stone Carving Programs (ARSCAP) www.arscap.info
Stone arches
Stone arches are made out of independent pieces called voussoirs.
The resulting shape derives from the arch configuration and the final curving-up or division into independent parts.
On a horizontal plane we draw an arch the same size it will be once performed. Scale 1:1
Then we draw some radial lines in order to divide it into the voussoirs or components.
This drawing is called “montea” (working drawing) and must be done in such a way that it could be available and well-kept for carvers to check during the carving process.
In order to transfer the shape of each of the different voussoirs to the stone blocks to be carved, it is necessary to previously prepare a template
The actual arch drawing or “montea” (working drawing) is used to get the patterns or templates that will allow us to transfer each voussoir design to the stone block.
To avoid altering or modifying the templates when working with them in the carving process, they should be done out of a tin or wooden plate.
Each voussoir has a fixed place in the arch, so there are several templates to be used, having a different shape each of them.
Drawing a voussoir on a block of stone by means of templates
In order to draw on the block sides more easily and so as to preserve this drawing well-kept during the carving process, we should rub the stone with fresh grass and we should mark the lines by carving them with a sharp-pointed graver.
Next we place the voussoir template on the block of stone.
Now and by means of a graver we mark the template on one of the stone sides to be able to draw the frontal side of the voussoir.
We elongate the essential lines on the side planes so that we can place the template accurately on the back side in order to transfer it here as well.
Drawing different planes and sides
Just by watching one of the sides of the drawing and the opposite one we can predict the material we need to rough out.
In order to start roughing out the stone we will use a Pitcher.
We begin to rough out slightly above the drawn line and leaning on the block we hammer in it with a stone-carving hammer.
In this way we will rough out stone chunks.
By means of a stone-carving chisel we rough the tracks or starting points of the planes, we adjust them to the line of the drawing as much as possible.
These tracks, around 2 and 4 cm wide, show clearly the material to be rough out which should be first roughed out by means of a point chisel and then by means of a tooth chisel and a bush hammer.
By using a point chisel we can remove the remaining stone between the carved lines. By means of a tooth chisel we can even the surface in order to get an uneven texture close to the plane.
Bush hammers smooth the texture given by tooth chisels, showing almost a finished touch.
With the help of a ruler and a set square we have to constantly watch the carving process of the planes and sides of the voussoirs.
It is important to carve the sides of the voussoirs one by one, in this way we can assure the stability of the block of stone throughout all the process.
Carving the moulding
On each of the voussoirs we place a decorative moulding in the front part and a right-angled one in the back side where the stain glass will be placed.
We set up the arch on a level horizontal surface.
We sketch a drawing of a curved, concave molding, it is 2 cm wide.
We prepare the template with the curve of the moulding and draw precisely in each of the voussoirs.
We start carving the moulding by checking the template all the time.
In order to carve the back moulding we follow the same steps.
Fitting and adjustments
We place the arch again on an even horizontal surface and check measurements and angles so that everything can be fitted and adjusted properly.
Each voussoir must fit together seamlessly, the mouldings must make up a continuous decorative arch unit.
Credits
Architectural Stone Carving Programs (ARSCAP)
Escuela de Arte y Superior de Diseño de Mérida
Thanks to: Excmo. Ayuntamiento de León
Centro de los Oficios de León
Canal Extremadura
Master Carver: Pedro Pablo García Primo. Centro de los Oficios de León
Script and Direction: Luis Alfonso Macías Moreno
Camera operator: Manuel Acedo Lavado
Video editing: Manuel Acedo Lavado. Luis Alfonso Macías Moreno
Voice over: Jose Carlos Macías Moreno
Translation: Manuel Gómez Mirón, María Jesús Bazaga Conde, María Teresa Sánchez Moruno
Infographics: María del Carmen Méndez Bonilla