Discover the craft, creativity, and expressive potential of deep relief woodcarving. Whether you are new to this beautiful art form or already chiseling your way through personal projects, this course will help you refine your design, sharpen your technique, and explore fresh approaches to bring your vision fully to life.

This week is all about discovery—pushing the boundaries of your craft. You will experiment with punch work, uncover the natural beauty of varied wood textures, and even splice different woods together to add depth, character, and vitality to your carvings.

Each student will receive a limewood oval carving blank—an ideal starting point for beginners. For seasoned carvers, you are encouraged to bring your own wood/project, where we will work together to spark new inspiration and help you carve your way out of a creative rut.

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

Part of the adventure in this course is experimenting with found wood. While you will receive a limewood oval carving blank to get started, I also encourage you to bring along any interesting dry wood you have collected. Some of the best carving discoveries come from unusual shapes and textures.

Great choices for carving: fruitwoods like apple, pear, or cherry; stable hardwood branches; reclaimed or scrap lumber; and orchard prunings with fine, even grain. – Please bring dry wood.

For more sculptural experiments: driftwood, tree roots, and storm-fallen pieces can be challenging but offer striking textures and organic forms.

Less suitable woods: very soft, rotten, or resin-heavy woods (like fresh pine) tend to crumble or resist traditional carving tools.

Don’t worry if you’re unsure — bring what inspires you, and together we will find the best way to work with it.

Please source some ideas, starting points, photographs or sketches, which you may like to work from.. Graphite pencils/rubber/pencil sharpener An ipad is useful if you have one Apron/overalls and sturdy covered footwear (no sandals) are essential to wear in this workshop.

The College provides carving tools for the course, but if you bring any of your own carving tools (chisels, mallets, gouges), please mark these with your name.

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