Carving Workshops
We will be teaching about four classes per year at my home workshop, with space for just four carvers—enough to ensure you receive plenty of personal attention. It will be important that before the course we discuss your goals so we can prepare the right materials and set the proper mindset.
You are welcome to bring your own tools, all necessary equipment will be provided, including paper, pencils, chisels, mallets, clamps, and more. In most cases I will have wood available, unless you have a special request, in which case we can discuss it ahead of time.
At 6 pm on Tuesday evening, before the course begins the next morning, I warmly invite you to join me and your fellow students for an "apéro"—a cherished French tradition of sharing a glass of wine (or whatever), and small bites. Your family and friends are more than welcome to join!
The workshop will open at 9:00 am, and classes will begin promptly at 9:30 am (with coffee etc. available beforehand). Lunch will be from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm, and we will finish each day at 5:00 pm.
Newcomers 3-Day Course: $775
Schedule: Wednesday – Friday
Dates: Wednesday 8th October - Friday 10th October 2025
About: This course is designed not only to introduce you to the basic techniques of using carving tools, but also to help you gain a deeper understanding of how to approach any woodcarving project. My goal is to teach you to observe your subject with accuracy, and how to efficiently remove wood in a controlled manner. Woodcarving is a step-by-step process, and by the end of the course, I want you to feel confident in your ability to tackle a project on your own.
Advanced Experience 4-Day Course: $975
Schedule: Wednesday – Saturday
Dates: Wednesday 22nd October - Saturday 25th October 2025
About: This course is designed for those who have previously attended one of my classes or have enough experience to further develop their specialist skills. With careful pre-planning and a small group of no more than four students, we can focus on any area of your choice. Whether it's refining your lettering, mastering carving in the round, enhancing ornamentation, or developing a product line for sale, this course provides the personalised guidance you need to advance your craft.
Carving in the Round 4-Day Course: $975
Schedule: Wednesday – Saturday
Dates: Wednesday 15th October - Saturday 18th October 2025
This course focuses on the fundamentals of three-dimensional carving. You will learn how to prepare for a fully rounded sculpture, including creating or bringing a model (maquette), carving efficiently, and accurately measuring and articulating your tools. Prior to the course, we will discuss wood selection, model details, and sizing to ensure you're fully prepared for the best learning experience.
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Carving as a Business 2-Day Course: $475
Schedule: Wednesday – Thursday
Dates: to be added
About: This course is open to more than just four students—bring a friend or anyone with related artisan skills. The more diverse the group, the richer the discussion.
For too long, there has been a reluctance in the craft trades to discuss business and money, a mindset rooted in the Victorian-era romanticisation of the artisan’s life. But I believe strongly that if you want to make a living doing what you love, you must learn how to run your business effectively.
Since 1978, I’ve made my living solely as a woodcarver. In 1988, I moved to the USA with the intention of teaching for half the year and spending the rest sailing around the South Pacific. Then the work started coming in—some of it major projects—and, well, I never did make it to the South Pacific. No regrets (well, maybe a few).
This course will be a free-ranging, interactive conversation centered around these key topics—though the discussion may take us anywhere:
Identifying your business model
Playing to your strengths and weaknesses
Understanding your clients and their needs
Public speaking and self-presentation
Marketing and selling your work
Pricing and estimating costs
Designing for clients
Billing and insurance
Delivery, shipping, and handling clients
Teaching as an income stream
And everything else that comes up…
If you want to turn your craft into a sustainable business, this course will give you the insights and tools to do just that.