Mark Brooks stone carving in motion

Watch Mark Brooks create a headstone to remember Edgar Holden in this stop-motion film, which shows four days of work compressed into one minute. Mark took 750 photos throughout the making process and describes how his choice of design reflected Edgar's life and personality.

Letters are first dawn on to the slate using white pencil, then carved, followed by the carving of the wreath motif. Running all the way round the edge of the stone a “bead moulding” is carved. This softens the hard edges, gives emphasis to the shape of the stone and makes an attractive border. When the carving is finished, the letters are flood painted and the motif is gilded. Finally, the surface is sanded with a very fine grit paper revealing the crisp, cut letters.