Discover the craft, creativity, and expressive potential of sculptural and deep relief woodcarving. Whether you are new to this beautiful art form or already developing personal projects, this course will help you expand your design skills, refine your technique, and explore fresh approaches to bring your ideas vividly to life.

A central part of the week is the invitation to work with found and reclaimed wood that holds personal meaning—pieces of timber you have picked up on walks, salvaged from an old piece of furniture, rescued from a storm-fallen tree, or simply discovered and felt drawn to. These fragments often carry their own quiet stories: a remembered place, a connection to home, a sense of time passing, or just an intriguing shape. Carving such wood encourages a deeper, more intuitive relationship with materials, prompting ideas that emerge directly from the grain, form and history of each piece.

During the course, you will explore the natural beauty and irregularity of these woods while experimenting with punch work, textural carving, and the creative possibilities of splicing contrasting woods together. These approaches help develop rhythm, depth, and sculptural presence, offering new momentum and direction for both beginners and experienced carvers.

Every student will receive a limewood oval carving blank-an ideal and forgiving starting point—but you are warmly encouraged to bring any personally meaningful or visually interesting pieces of dry wood.

Together we will evaluate their carving potential, explore how to collaborate with their forms, and use them as catalysts for creative invention.

This week is designed to help you break new ground, overcome creative blocks, and push your carving practice into fresh and unexpected territory—guided, supported, and enriched by the unique materials you choose to bring.

Summer School Highlights
The Summer School week is an immersive learning experience with more time to develop your creativity and embrace opportunities for creative development beyond your chosen course. A detailed timetable for your Summer School week will be given to you on arrival. This will include:

• Short inspirational talks by tutors and displays of their work
• A short creative experience session in another discipline/media or course
• An optional evening at the Chichester Festival Theatre (discounted if pre-booked through West Dean)
• An optional lunchtime tour of West Dean Gardens, the historic rooms at West Dean College, or West Dean Tapestry Studio
• A celebration dinner on the last evening themed on ‘Fantasy and Myth’. Feel free to respond to the theme if you wish
• Informal end-of-course group reviews and displays of students' work in studios

All lunches and evening meals are provided for residential and non-residential students during summer school due to planned activities/events in the early evenings.

Included

On this course the College will supply drawing paper/tracing paper supplied for use by the group.
Sketch and tracing paper to work out your design
A piece of lime wood (approx. 20cm x 30 cm x 3 cm)

What students need to bring

Wood for carving (optional but encouraged) Experimenting with found and reclaimed wood is part of the creative process. You may bring:
Good choices:

• Dry fruitwoods (apple, pear, cherry)
• Stable hardwood branches
• Reclaimed or scrap timber
• Orchard prunings with fine, even grain

For more sculptural experiments:

• Driftwood
• Roots
• Storm-fallen pieces with interesting forms

Avoid:

• Very soft, rotten, or crumbly wood
• Fresh resinous woods (e.g., pine)

If unsure, simply bring pieces that inspire you-we will assess them together.
Reference material

Ideas, starting points, photographs, or sketches

Drawing essentials:

• Graphite pencils
• Eraser
• Pencil sharpener
• iPad (if useful)

Clothing & safety

• Apron or overalls
• Sturdy covered footwear (no sandals)

Tools

• The College provides carving tools
• If you bring your own chisels, gouges or mallets, please label them clearly

Available to buy

Available from shop:

• Drawing materials

Additional information

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).

Arrival day - first date of course
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm for registration  
Student welcome, followed by dinner: 6.45pm (dinner included)
Teaching session: 8pm-9pm (attendance is essential)

Daily timetable
Course teaching: 9.15am-5pm  
Morning session: 9.15am-12.45pm including coffee/tea break  
Lunch break: 12.45pm-2pm (lunch included)  
Afternoon session: 2pm-5pm including coffee/tea break  
Teaching finishes: 5pm    
Evening working: students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with permission from the tutor and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.  

Departure day - last date of course
Course teaching: 9.15am-3pm (lunch included)  
Teaching finishes: 3pm  

All lunches and evening meals are provided for residential and non-residential students during Summer School due to planned activities/events in the early evenings.  
Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am.
Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required.  
Several evening events are planned throughout the week, a detailed timetable for your Summer School will be given to you on arrival.

Terms & Conditions