Fundamentals of Carving -Marc Adams School of Woodworking 2024

Woodcarving enthusiasts seeking to enhance their furniture-making skills find a valuable resource in Alexander’s class, focusing on woodcarving fundamentals. Presently, Alexander guides students through the art of woodcarving, imparting wisdom on the design process and methods to give furniture a unique flair with carving. He shares his “sharpening on steroids” technique, a swift and precise method essential for effective daily carving.

This woodcarving course emphasizes the practical application of carving gouges by hand, embracing traditional techniques. It delves into tool selection, addressing grain issues in wood, and strategic planning of woodcarving cuts. Alexander stresses the importance of carving safety, securing wood without harming the carving, and maximizing gouge utility through subtle tips and tricks.

Students engage in woodcarving from the outset, starting with a simple relief of floral designs. Progressing through the curriculum, they tackle an intricate relief carving of a classic acanthus leaf pattern before advancing to a traditional shell relief carving. Alexander’s approach to woodcarving instruction includes strategic planning for efficient carving project execution.

Moreover, the class showcases how to masterfully carve a linen-fold pattern, as well as techniques for carving grapes, beads, and even lettering. This comprehensive introduction to woodcarving not only equips furniture makers with enhanced carving skills but also instills confidence to elevate their craft with characterful embellishments.

Key Points:

*Sharpening process gouges ( fast and without sacrifice)

*Proper Techniques for Safely Handling and Using Gouges to Maximize Effectiveness

*Methods for Reducing the Background in Relief Carving Techniques

*How to work with the grain of the wood ( Carve with the grain )

*How to carve a basic  decoration

*How to carve a more advanced classical acanthus leaf  ornaments

*Tips and tricks on how to get the most out of your carving tools