Wood Carving Flowers Class
With Caroline Martinez
You do not need to take any of our Woodworking Fundamentals classes including Woodworking I, II, or III in order to take this class. No experience is required.
Discover the traditional art of relief wood carving using classic hand tools. This hands on class is the perfect introduction to shaping wood, creating depth, and sculpting organic designs from raw lumber. Working on a 5”x5” block of soft basswood, you will learn how to safely handle carving knives and gouges to carve a decorative wooden flower. You will also learn how to apply wood stain to bring out natural grain patterns and add color to your finished sculpture. The carving cuts and dimensional techniques covered in this workshop can easily be applied to your own furniture projects, decorative signs, and home builds. Join this supportive beginner-friendly workshop, expand your handy DIY skillset, and connect with a community of fellow makers!
What You'll Make:
A custom relief carved wooden flower on a 5 inch by 5 inch basswood block, finished with your choice of wood stain. Your carved wooden keepsake will be ready to display on a shelf, hang on a wall, or give as a handmade gift.
Skills & Concepts You'll Learn:
Which wood species are best for hand carving
How to transfer a design from paper to wood
How to use hand carving tools (chip carving knife and #5 Gouge) to create a relief of a flower
A variety of cuts & techniques for each tool
Strategies for how to achieve depth in your design
How to approach a reductive method of sculpting
Guidance on where to buy tools if you choose to continue your wood carving journey
Equipment & Tools You'll Learn:
Chip carving knife, shallow gouge, carbon transfer paper, clamps, and wood stains.
Class Outline:
Introduction to the materials and tools
How to safely and effectively hold the tools to make different cuts
Tips on how to get the wood to lift with ease to create a smooth and high quality design across multiple cutting techniques
How to shape and sculpt the design for a nicer finish and more depth
Finishing the project with wood stain
Other Class Details:
Prerequisites: None. No Experience Required.
Class Capacity: 6 maximum, 3 minimum
Materials Provided?: Yes
Age Limit: 13+. Guardian required if under 18 (info)
Partner Ticket Available?: No
Clothing/Equipment Requirements?: Comfortable well fitted clothing, close-toed shoes, put your hair up, and be prepared to get a little dirty.
About the Teacher
Caroline is a wood carver specializing in relief carvings using hand tools, a CNC router table, and responsibly sourced wood wherever possible. Caroline primarily creates nature-based designs such as flowers, animals, and topographical maps with the goal of connecting people to the beauty in nature.
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