Two Day Woodcarving Course

For those who want to take a deeper dive into ornamental woodcarving, this two-day carving course will give you a firm grounding in the basics of woodcarving in a relaxed, friendly environment. Spread over two consecutive Saturdays, it will give you the time to fully immerse yourself in the craft and practise the techniques at your leisure. This course will whet your appetite for learning this heritage craft and provide you with the resources you need to continue your practise. With no more than six students to a class, you’ll receive a high level of attention and guidance.

• Day 1 will focus on the basics of woodcarving with an introduction to the tools, how to use them safely and effectively, the properties of timber including understanding grain direction, and a practical project focusing on chip carving.
• Day 2 will build on the skills you’ve already learned, allowing you to create a shallow relief or chip carving from one of the available designs, which you can take home to display or work on further in your own time.

This course runs over two consecutive Saturdays from 10AM to 5PM. Tea and coffee will be provided at 11.30AM and 3PM. The class takes place in Central London in a working carving studio with ongoing projects and commissions, giving you the opportunity to see the working practise of a professional carver.What will I achieve? By the end of the course you will have covered:

• Identifying suitable timber species for future carving projects
• The correct way to safely use chisels and mallet
• How to secure your work
• How to lay out your design on timber
• How to create a design in low relief
• A brief introduction to sharpening chisels
• An introduction to historic ornament

Please note: Public dates for this class require at least 2 guests to run. In the unlikely event that we don't reach this number, we'll cancel the class; in this case we'll inform you and allow you to get a refund or reschedule, so please watch your email/SMS one day prior to the class.

No prior carving experience is necessary. Complete beginners will be guided through the basic techniques, while more advanced students will be given guidance on how to refine their skills further. Please note that the nature of woodcarving means that you will be working in a standing position during the course hours, which some people may find physically demanding.
 

• Your completed carving project
• Wood suitable for your carving project
• The use of carving tools
• Focused personal tuition
• Tea, coffee and cake
• A printed document detailing the contents of the course, and resources for developing your woodcarving practice further
• Timber carving blanks available to purchase at the end of the course

• Sturdy, covered shoes are essential for your safety, and you’re strongly encouraged to wear leather boots or a safety work boot for maximum protection. Students who wear open-toed shoes or sandals will not be allowed to take the course. Safety boots are available inexpensively for both men and women from multiple suppliers online.
• Any additional carving tools you may wish to use on the day (please ensure any tools you bring are clearly marked with your name).
• A packed lunch, which can be enjoyed in the nearby Queen’s Square a few minutes' walk from the studio. Alternatively, there are a number of shops and cafes less than a minute’s walk away, and several supermarkets within five minutes’ walk. Students are asked to leave the studio during the lunch break.
• Appropriate clothing for a workshop environment, which you don’t mind getting dusty, dirty, or covered in wood chips. If you would like the additional protection, please bring an apron.
• A notebook and pencil.

This class series runs over 2 consecutive sessions, which are 1 week apart.