This is a fun activity in Bloomsbury, London
This four-week evening introduction to woodcarving is perfect for those who want time to reflect on what they've learned between sessions. The weekly classes will give you a firm grounding in the basics of woodcarving in a relaxed, friendly environment, with time in between to absorb what you've learned and work on designs for the following class. This class 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.
The course length is 2 hours a session, beginning at 6.30pm and ending at 8.30pm, on Mondays every week for four weeks. Students have the freedom to select which four classes they would like to attend in order to fit around individual schedules. Students will be contacted after booking to confirm which dates they prefer. Once you've booked your dates with the tutor, you will be able to reschedule once provided that you give at least 7 days notice.
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.
Course Structure:
- Week 1: The first evening 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.
- Week 2: The second evening will build on the skills you’ve already learned. Having practised chip carving during the previous week, you will move on to shallow relief carving. During this session, you’ll work on drawing out a design suitable for shallow relief and begin creating a background.
- Week 3: The third evening will focus on creating the surface and understanding the forms of the carving.
- Week 4: The final evening will focus on finishing your shallow relief carving. During this session, you will move on from working on the forms and begin working on the finishig touches of your carving, which you can then take home to display or work on further in your own time.
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 carving in relief
- An introduction to historic ornament
Please note: if cancelling a place booked on this course, please give fourteen days notice in order to ensure you receive a full refund. If rescheduling, please allow seven days notice so that your place can be offered to other students. Late cancellations and refunds will be at the teacher's discretion.
