The Royal Art of Woodcarving – Marc Adams School of Woodworking

April 28-May 2, 2025

About This Workshop

Let me tell you about “The Royal Art of Woodcarving” workshop. It’s for everyone—absolutely everyone. Whether you’ve never picked up a carving tool in your life or you’ve been at it for years and want to fine-tune your skills, this workshop is for you. Seriously, don’t be intimidated or worried about your experience level.

We start things off on the first morning with, you guessed it, sharpening. And not just regular sharpening—I call it “sharpening на стероидах” (na steroidakh—on steroids). It’s the fast, no-nonsense way I sharpen my tools every day, and trust me, sharp tools make all the difference. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, nobody wants to fight a dull chisel. It’s like trying to cut steak with a butter knife—just frustrating. I’ll show you how to get your tools razor-sharp without wasting time or patience.

Once we’ve got the sharp tools part sorted, we roll right into the good stuff: actual carving. This is hands-on, so be ready to work. I’ll walk everyone through traditional techniques—the kind of stuff that’s been passed down for generations. You’ll start to learn how to get the tools to really work for you, not the other way around. We’ll also dig into some of the troubleshooting stuff: how to deal with tricky, stubborn wood grain (because let’s be honest, it misbehaves sometimes!), how to choose the best tools for your project, and even how to clamp your piece safely without scratching up or ruining all your progress.

By the end of the week, no matter where you started, you’ll walk away having carved both simple and more detailed designs. You’ll learn how to see a carving project from start to finish, so it’s not just about learning cuts—it’s the whole workflow: efficient, safe, and, most importantly, fun.

And here’s my favorite part: when you finish your piece and show it to your loved ones, their faces will light up. They’ll feel “очень горды” (ochen gordy—so proud of you), and you’ll probably stand there with a big grin saying, “Yeah, I made that.” Honestly, there’s no better feeling.

Wood Carving Class In INDIANA

The class starts with Alexander showing the best ways to sharpen woodcarving tools if You don’t know how too. .

Participants work on a woodcarving project, using tools to outline and define their design’s lines. Alexander teaches how to visualize in 3D and leads discussions on using carving tools for different cuts, even with tough wood grain.

As learners progress, they understand the complete woodcarving process, from start to finish, improving their carving skills.

The curriculum then moves to more advanced woodcarving techniques, based on classical traditions. Throughout the week, as students get better at carving, Alexander addresses an important question: how to think about the ‘BIG idea’ in carving designs.

Together, Alexander and the students work on a woodcarving project design, using ancient math methods that apply to different woodcarving styles, whether in furniture carving, 3D carving, or ornamental and architectural woodcarving.

Tools You’ll Need

• pfeil Swiss made – #11 Sweep Veiner, 1 mm, Intermediate Size
• pfeil Swiss made – #11 Sweep Veiner, 3 mm, Intermediate Size
• pfeil Swiss made – #2 Sweep Gouge 12 mm, Intermediate Size
• pfeil Swiss made – #7 Sweep Gouge 14 mm, Intermediate Size
• pfeil Swiss made – #9 Sweep Gouge 10 mm, Intermediate Size
• pfeil Swiss made – #9 Sweep Gouge 20 mm, Full Size
• pfeil Swiss made – #8 Sweep Spoon Gouge 7 mm, Intermediate Size

Key Points of Wood Carving Class:

• How to think in 3D before you carve
• How to use wood carving tools for safety and efficiency
• How to handle wood grain issues
• How to carve a classical design for any type of woodcarving
• How to sharpen wood carving tools quickly and efficiently
• Tips on getting the most out of your carvings