1:  Downloadable Notes for Ornamental DVD
2:  Teaching USA
3:  Miscellany:
       One for the Bench
       Back issues
       Woodcarving Tuition/Teaching
       Woodcarving DVDs
       Slipstones Woodcarving Manuals

1  Notes to Accompany the Ornamental Carving DVD

When I first taught the Corner Leaf carving that features on my Ornamental Carving DVD as a good exercise for learning basic ornamentation skills, I handed out 'stage notes' to accompany each step and flag up things to look out for.

I improved on this document and had it with me when I made the DVD: Ornamental Carving. It helped me remember important points and details when I under the spotlight and actually includes a few small things I didn't get round to saying!

I'd like to offer my 'teaching notes' as a gesture of thanks to those of you who've bought the Ornamental Carving DVD and, in particular, those who've bought it from my website.
I'm sure that they'll help you learn to carve the Corner Leaf even better and improve what many have reported as a great carving experience.

If you haven't bought the DVD, you are still welcome to download this document.
I should warn you, however, that it doesn't 'stand alone' well: it won't make much sense without viewing the DVD and following what I show you there.

The document is in a PDF format. And copyright of course: you may print it out for your own use but not make it available from another website - as I said, it's my personal thank you here for those supporting my work for the carving community.

I suggest you:

  Print the document out
  Have a look through it
  Watch the DVD again, referring to these notes
  Then take the document to your bench as you work.

Here's the link to the download page for a copy of:

Notes to Accompany Chris Pye's Ornamental Carving DVD  

I wasn't there of course, but if I can just evoke the late 60's, with it's Love-Ins and Sit-Ins, here, what I'm running in Maine, USA this Summer could be described as a 'Carve-In': two full weeks of carving in the company of other carvers!

Each year I have run an Intermediate/Advanced single week course, which has proved very successful. The one complaint has always been that they weren't long enough!
Last year, students mooted the idea that we try it for 2 weeks, so that's what we are going to do!

A few notes:

Eligibility

  The 2-week course is for more experienced carvers who want to expand their technical and creative skills.
My whole aim is to helps students with a regular carving practice - who are really 'into it' (You?) - deepen your understanding of woodcarving.

  That means anyone who has been taught by me, or can demonstrate some experience - simply by sending me pictures - is eligible. Through this criterion I want to achieve an overall 'tone' to the class: the 'group' aspect, where we intensify our learning through sharing, is very important to its success.
If you are a beginner, you can take the Relief Carving class running the week before (July 21 - 25), then join in the two-week carve-in.

  Participants embark upon new projects or bring work-in-progress. All types of carving are welcome, including relief carving, carving-in-the-round, and lettering.

  I will supervise and support your project through extensive one-on-one personal supervision, demonstrations, shared class 'problems' and individual exercises.

  I'll be dealing with the technical requirements of carving but also emphasizing woodcarving design: how carvings 'work' visually and aesthetically.
This is an absolutely crucial aspect of woodcarving, one that separates carvings the 'work' and ones that don't, and one that you need to pay lots of attention to once you have moved beyond the beginner's stage.

  Because we have extended time this year: I intend to run 'mini-workshops' every other day where you can learn the basics of some important skills which will backup your carving. Tool making (altering shapes, re-hardening) and clay modelling are on the list already.

Your Project(s):

  Please understand that you must be self-sufficient in your project(s) when it comes to your tools, materials, reference information, any special means of holding your workpiece etc.
The School can often help with wood or special carving needs but you must phone them, not me, beforehand to discuss this.

  You MUST discuss your project(s) with me in advance. Why?
So you don't waste time, I want to be sure you come with designs appropriate to the scope of the course and your skill levels; also that you have the right tools, materials and reference information.

  Two Week Intermediate Woodcarving: July 28 - Aug 8

  Student numbers are limited to 12 maximum, signing up for the full 2 weeks, not single weeks.

  More information, details and registration about the 2 week here:

Center for Furniture Craftsmanship
Intermediate/Advance Woodcarving Course

SLIPSTONES WOODCARVING MANUALS

Help yourself!
You are free to copy any or all of these ebooks, send them to your carving friends, or have them available on your own website but you must not charge money for them.

Full list and details: here

  Chris Pye Signature Slipstones (pdf only)
  Deep Undercutting Tools (pdf only)
  Key Notes on Sharpening Woodcarving Gouges (pdf only)
  Master Woodcarving Secrets (pdf only)
    (Sponsored by Tools for Working Wood)
  Quick Carving Questions - 1
    (Sponsored by Tools for Working Wood)
  Quick Carving Questions - 2
    (Sponsored by Classic Hand Tools http://www.classichandtools.com/)
  Quick Carving Questions - 3
     (Sponsored by Preferred Edge Carving Knives & Supplies)
  Quick Carving Questions - 4
  Selecting & Sharpening Your V Tool
  Learning to Carve
  Learning to Carve 2
  A Guide to Safe Woodcarving
  Mistakes and Woodcarving
  Fundamentals of Woodcarving
  Slicing, And The Value Of The Inside Bevel (pdf only)

  PDF versions of all Ebooks