Demonstrating
Wood Carving Classes
"Perhaps the greatest gain was to see an expert at work, samples of his work and feel inspired to have a go oneself"
"Went along at our own speed with Gerald always there to help out and give advice"
Carving lettering
Carving turning
A well deserved 'cuppa'
Wood Carving Courses
WOODCARVING FOR BEGINNERS
Thursday afternoons 2.00 - 4.30pm.
COURSE DATES MAX 5 STUDENTS.
Booking Form
Gerald gained a Cert Ed, teaching qualification in 1998 and has taught at Adult education and technical college level for many years. He has run his own carving business since 1986, all courses will be taught in the workshop and students will get the feeling of working in a professional atmosphere.
AIMS OF COURSE:
The course is designed to introduce students to the specific skills and techniques involved in woodcarving, to boost their confidence and enthusiasm to take on new projects.
WHAT STUDENTS SHOULD ACHIEVE
Students should gain a good understanding of the fundamentals of woodcarving techniques and practices, the tutor aims to encourage and direct individuals to use their talents effectively. You can expect to complete a piece of work in the time available.
TECHNIQUES AND MATERIALS COVERED
- Health and Safety
- Basic design work
- learn how to sharpen and use a range of tools
- Ways of Holding and securing work
- Roughing out and initial wood removal
- Developing and detailing the work with various tools and gouges
- Surface treatment and finishing.
The course is hands on: tuition is by demonstration; learning is by practice with tutor input.
STUDENT PREPARATION
Students should wear clothing and footwear suitable for hands on workshop work.
Bring any hand tools you already have but please do not buy new or extra as there are tools available and advice will be given on what is required. Wood is available at cost.
Woodcarving courses - projects
WOODCARVING COURSES WEEKEND / WEEK
As well as the subjects covered in the beginner’s class the following, more specific areas can be taught.
These are suggestions as weekends can be tailored to suit individual carvers, we aim to have fun as well as be instructional and inspirational.
CARVE A CABRIOLE LEG
This covers the subject from design to finished product, various aspects are looked at:-
- Design and patterns
- Cutting out
- Shaping with spokeshaves
- Carving, depending on duration of course, shell knee, scroll knee, acanthus leaves, pad foot, ball and claw foot.
- On the week course it should be possible to carve a set of legs, looking at maintaining a matching set and making up into a stool or coffee table.
LETTERING
Again the course looks at design, transferring design to wood, cutting and finishing
Students should by the end of a weekend have a house sign or plaque to take home.
STUDENT PROJECTS
Bring your own new or ongoing projects for advice and further encouragement.
If you could send photo’s or drawings before the course, we can have a head start.
A maximum of 5 students are accepted, so tutor/student contact time is high. On the week courses and sometimes on the weekends I might work on my own work as well, which I think is helpful, (a) so that I am not looking over your shoulder the whole time! And (b) Students can see and learn from different aspects of the craft depending on what I am working on at the time.
Please give me a ring on 01508 532111 to discuss fees and dates.