Complete a beautiful whittled and carved bird over two days with Dave Harter . . . from start to finish.

Whittling is addictive!  Many consider it therapeutic - it is relaxing, absorbing, creative and richly rewarding giving a a sense of personal achievement. Another bonus it that it has a small and low tech kit list ~ a lump of wood, a craft knife and your lap. This means whittling can be done almost anywhere in and spare time available- and it is also easily transportable.

During this 2 day course you will start from a lump of wood and Dave will teach you traditional hand carving techniques and whittling skills, using craft knives and other specialist hand tools provided to enable you to complete your beautiful carved bird over the two days .  There will also be a chance to make the legs and a realistic stone/ wood base and also have a go at pyrography to create feathered effects.  Suitable for all abilities.

The photos below are from last year's one day course. The new two day course will enable students to understand better the entire process and work to greater detail including a chance to try pyrography and creating their own bird legs and base mount.  An new example of what might be achieved is the main photo above.

10.00am – 4.00pm each day
£190 Lunch included
Material Charges from approx £20

Dates for this 2-day course - see the table below to book:

Thu 29th and Friday 30th August 2024   -  **   new date confirmed **

Kindly note there will be a materials charge payable directly to the tutor on the day, of approx. £20. Typically this course runs with around 8 students.

Please bring:. It is recommended that you bring an apron. Everything else will be provided by the tutor. If you wish to purchase you own tools before you arrive (not necessary at all) the knives required are Stanley code 10- 590 and Stanley 10-598 Blades are coded Stanley 5901. Dave will have all these tools available to borrow for the day or to buy at the end. There are two types of wood available for carving; the beautiful native lime and the more exotic Jelutong.

The photos below are from last year's one day course. The new two day course will enable students to understand better the entire process and work to greater detail including a chance to try pyrography and creating their own bird legs and base mount.

About the Artist  Dave Harter is an exceptionally experienced tutor of many years and multi multi award winning bird carver in National Bird Carving competitions.  "My sisters and I would just like to thank you, and Dave, for the wonderful day we had whittling our birds, everything was fantastic from your amazing food to us completing our birds with brilliant instruction from the very patient Dave, we are still reeling from what we achieved and some of us are still whittling and improving our birds further, please will you pass on our thanks to Dave, we hope to come back to your lovely home to learn something new soon,
Regards  Susan, Christine, Liz and Linda  "