Sebastián Pérez Gómez is one of the few extant specialists in clay-brick carving. His work includes pieces such as carved mouldings, corbels, etc. to be included as decorative elements mainly in facades, courtyards or basins.

His chief material is clay bricks, although exceptionally he works also… with limestone.

On starting a project he always begins by making a full-scale sketch of the piece, so that it may be in proportion to its intended setting. He then roughs the brick to remove burrs, and using a template of the artefact he trims off the larger surplus portions with an angle grinder. Then from the bottom of the piece he sets to work with gouges and chisels and a mason’s hammer, gradually sculpting the desired forms. Finally he sands it down with coarse or medium paper – but without overdoing it, as in his view there should remain some small flaws in handicraft.

Once the article is finished he coats it with a water repellent, as long as it is not to be subsequently painted (as paint would not then be absorbed). The repellent is a colourless fluid that does not affect the brick’s natural tones and is designed to prevent the piece from absorbing water or other liquids and consequently deteriorating with time.

For such work he uses various gouges, coarse and fine chisels, mason’s hammers, brushes, sandpaper, squares, compasses and an angle grinder for removing larger chunks. In restoration work he also uses toothbrushes, ammonia, distilled water, wine or cleaning vinegar, cellulose pads, a scalpel, etc.