Woodcarving Courses

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.

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, Dorset and Somerset, at times to suit by mutual arrangement.

Zoe teaches all types of carving skills, which may be carving in relief or in the round, creative sculpture, lettering, utilitarian items or decoration such as carving detail on furniture and boxes. This flexible approach enables Zoe to tailor her teaching to the requirements of each individual student during his/her wood carving course.

The tranquil studio has 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. A good selection of relevant books and magazines is also available for reference and inspiration.

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 direct carving using hand tools in the traditional manner, experience showing that learning a good basic grounding in correct hand techniques is essential to be able to carve wood successfully and safely, and that most students have neither space nor desire for expensive power equipment and machinery.

Rose polishing her carving of the family cat

Rose with her flower relief and her polished cat

Chris carving 'Mrs Daley' in Yew wood. This is a project from Zoe's book, "Woodcarving, A Foundation Course" GMC Publications 1997

Formerly living in Somerset, in 1980 Zoe started her woodcarving courses, attended by students of all ages and experience. A course may be a mixture of newcomers and those who have attended previously; and 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 are also welcome but must be over 8 years old and accompanied by a family adult participating at the same time.

To see some more woodcarvings made by students and children

click here

Nina used a piece of Cherry wood and carved a leaf in relief which she is waxing then polishing

Henry aged 11 years with his mallet and trophy, and his Mother who carved a sign for the garden gate

Ross carved his beloved VW camper van from a piece of oak

Lunches and refreshments are included each day, 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 wood carving 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.

Paul's first carving was a fine detailed fish carved using Acacia wood and polished with wax to finish it. On his own at home he carved the sitting hare shown on the right

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.

We welcome Carving groups and clubs and offer special rates for 4 or more persons. details

How to Book your Wood Carving Course.

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 £60, 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.

A Gift for a Lifetime.

more details

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, special birthday or retirement present, perhaps?

You purchase the voucher, and the recipient chooses when he or she would like to come.

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