Zoe’s woodcarving courses are suitable for beginners or more experienced carvers and are held near Penzance in the lovely county of Cornwall, convenient to the M5 Exeter, the A303 and the A30 highway to St. Ives and on to Lands End. The setting is tranquil with unspoilt views over Mounts Bay and the Penwith Moors – a peaceful haven in which you can concentrate fully on your carving without any distractions.
Zoe teaches all types of woodcarving skills including carving in relief or in the round, creative sculpture, lettering, utilitarian items such as signboards, spoons and how to carve decoration and detail on turned bowls, furniture and boxes. This flexible approach enables Zoe to tailor her teaching to the requirements of every person as an individual while you are here.
During your time with us you will receive individual attention and guidance with your woodcarving. 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 carry on with your wood carving successfully and safely in the future.
A specially selected range of woodcarving tools is provided for your use so that you do not need to buy any beforehand, thus avoiding expensive mistakes. A selection of relevant books and magazines is also available for reference and inspiration. Complete beginners are most welcome, as are the retired and those who feel they have no artistic ability. Tuition is usually ‘One-to-one’, or occasionally, ‘Two-to-one’.
Although for many the relaxed atmosphere of a woodcarving class provides both ‘Leisure and Pleasure’, several students have won awards in national, regional and local competitions, some demonstrating at County Shows; others have acquired a most pleasureable hobby in their retirement. Children are also welcome but must be over 8 years old and accompanied by an adult family member or grandparent participating at the same time.
Lunches and refreshments are included each day thus leaving you free to concentrate entirely on your carving during the day. You will be guided through your particular project, given advice about selecting suitable woodcarving tools for your style of carving, (some of which may be available to buy), how to sharpen and maintain them and be shown the appropriate finishing methods for your individual project.
Although you do not need any previous experience, for complete beginners or those who have not handled hand woodworking tools before a course of longer duration is recommended, for example, 5 or 6 days, which should give you ample time to master tool handling and basic woodcarving techniques without feeling pressurised – a relaxed and pleasant way of learning.
Or, why not try a ‘Taster Day‘ and see if woodcarving is for you? You are welcome to come by arrangement for a day during any of the course sessions. Former students are most welcome during any days that suit them, space permitting, or at any other mutually convenient time. We can usually arrange accommodation in the Studio or close by, and non-participating partners and well-behaved pets are also welcome.
How to Book your Woodcarving Tuition
Choose from any tuition dates shown or suggest an alternative time you would like to come for tuition then contact Zoe to discuss arrangements, including accommodation if you require this.
Please confirm your dates and accommodation arrangements in writing/email within a week of booking, and either post a non-refundable cheque or make a non-refundable Bank Transfer deposit payment of £97 per person payable to Zoe Gertner. On receipt you will be sent confirmation of your booking with further information about your tuition; the balance/s will be payable when you are here, alternatively, you may pay the full amount on booking if you prefer.