This page gives details about Zoe's woodcarving courses, suggests
dates for wood carving sessions and
shows you examples of
some carvings made by students, including
children's woodcarvings.
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Woodcarving courses with tuition suitable for
beginners or more experienced carvers can be arranged in a
pleasant Devon studio convenient to the M5 Exeter and A30
highway, the north Devon A361 link road, Cornwall and Somerset, at times to
suit by mutual arrangement. |
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Zoe teaches all types of carving skills, each course
being tailored according to the specific interest of the
individual which may be carving in relief or the round,
creative
sculpture, lettering or decoration such as carving
restoration detail on
furniture and the heads of rocking horses. |
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The studio is tranquil with unspoilt views across our own
south-facing tree bordered meadows and is fully equipped
with a specially selected range of tools
for students' use during the course so that these do not need
to be purchased beforehand, thus avoiding expensive mistakes.
There is also a good selection of relevant books and magazines
for reference and inspiration.
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Tuition is limited to a maximum of 5
students which ensures that not only do you receive
individual attention, but you also benefit from seeing other
aspects of woodcarving being carried out at the same time.
Zoe's teaching style emphasises the use of hand tools in the
traditional manner, experience showing that most students
have neither space nor desire for expensive power equipment
and machinery, and that learning a good basic grounding in correct
hand techniques is essential to be able to carve wood successfully and
safely. |
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Zoe's woodcarving courses, started in 1980, are attended by students
of all ages and experience, and a course may be a
mixture of newcomers and those who have attended before.
Complete beginners are especially welcomed, as are the
retired and those who feel they have no artistic
ability. Although for many, the relaxed atmosphere of a
woodcarving course provides both "leisure and pleasure," several students have
won awards in national and regional
competitions. Children over 8 years are also welcome but
must be accompanied by a family adult participating at the
same time.
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To see some more
woodcarvings made by students and children
click
here |
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Willa with Josh, her
teenage son, and their woodcarvings. Willa is carving a
horse lying down and Josh has made a guitar. |
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Lunches and refreshments are included each day,
thus leaving you free to concentrate entirely on your
carving for the day. During the course you will be
guided through your particular carving project, given
advice about selecting suitable tools for your style of
carving (some of which may be available for you to purchase),
how to sharpen and maintain them, and be shown
appropriate finishing methods. |
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A Student's Oak beam being
delivered. When carved, this will be fitted above her farmhouse
fireplace. |
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Her relief carving of oak
leaves and acorns is under way. This is the
first carving she has ever done. |
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She will carve a reversed copy
at the other end, and finish it at home, then
the beam will be installed over the fireplace. |
For complete beginners or those who have not
handled wood working tools before a longer course is recommended,
for example, five or six days, which should give ample time
to master tool handling and basic woodcarving techniques
without feeling pressurised - a relaxed way of learning.
Former students are most welcome in the
studio during the days that suit them, studio space
permitting, or at any other mutually convenient times.
We can usually arrange accommodation
for students in the
Farmhouse or close by, and well behaved pets/non
participating partners are also welcome to stay.
Click here for examples of
suggested course dates.
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We welcome Carving groups and clubs
and offer special rates for 4 or more persons.
details |
1. Choose from the
course dates suggested or
if none is suitable, suggest an alternative time that you would like to
come for tuition and telephone me
on (+44) 01409 261648 (please leave a message if
necessary) or
e-mail
to the address below. I will return your call as
soon as possible to discuss arrangements, including
accommodation if you need
this while you are here.
2. Please confirm your dates and accommodation
arrangements in writing within a week of making your
booking, enclosing a non-refundable deposit of
£52, cheque payable to Zoe Gertner. You will then be
sent confirmation of your booking with a receipt for your
deposit and further information about your tuition. A place will be kept for you for one week
pending your confirmation by post.
For suggested course dates click
here.
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Could you be looking for that special gift for
someone? A woodcarving course may be the answer. We can
issue gift vouchers for any combination of days,
suitable for that Christmas, birthday or retirement present,
perhaps? You purchase the voucher, and the
recipient chooses when he or she would like to come.
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Jessica's 14th birthday present from her
grandmother was a few days woodcarving. Her relief carving
will be included as part of her GCSE schoolwork assessment.
See more carvings by children |
back to top of page
/ go to next page /
see carvings by students |
