Spoon and chip Carving with Lee John Phillips
Saturday and Sunday 6th and 7th July 2024
10:00-4:00
Adult workshop
(but GCSE and A-Level students are very welcome to join in. It will be a great skills workshop for those taking art)
WORKSHOP:
Join Lee, illustrator and maker, for a packed weekend course introducing two very complimentary heritage crafts. You will learn the fundamentals of safe spoon carving and then be introduced to decorative pattern work to adorn your creation. The itinerary is as follows:
DAY 1:
You will be introduced to the basic tools you need to begin your career as a carver.
We will discuss wood selection and acquisition focusing on the best materials for enjoyable carving.
We will discuss health and safety concerns to ensure we all carve confidently.
I will talk through spoon and utensil design and highlight grain orientation when considering your own work.
We will look at safe axing techniques and how you get from a log to a spoon blank ready to carve.
You will be walked through several, safe knife grips and cutting techniques that will make for efficient and effective carving.
You will then be introduced to the hook knife or spoon knife to hollow the bowl.
We will then discuss finishing techniques and consider, burnishing, oiling and decoration.
To end the session we will discuss sharpening carving tools - one of the most important aspects of the craft
DAY 2:
We will discuss the heritage craft of chip-carving and talk through examples of spoons decorated utilising various techniques.
Through specifically created design sheets, you will gain understanding of the cutting techniques and knife grips used.
After completing a series of practice pieces, you will design your own pattern to transfer onto your spoon created in day one.
You will chip carve your spoon and learn about varying ways to add colour to your work.
Artist / Maker / Tutor:
Lee is a freelance illustrator, maker and tutor based in Pembrokeshire, West Wales. He has been invited to teach at the prestigious Spoonfest and Bowl Gathering and has recently been invited back to the Norwegian arctic circle to teach this same course as part of a culinary retreat. He is also collaborating with a blacksmith to design a signature LJP axe to go into production.
As a day job, Lee is a technical illustrator for publication, a designer, a sketchbook keeper and a package designer. He has recently worked on re-brands for Kettle Chips, Nuii ice cream, Timothy Taylor Brewery and Snowdon Cheese to name a few. You may also know him as the guy who is illustrating everything in his Grandfather’s shed - The Shed Project.
He has recently purchased a 3.5 acre plot of ancient, deciduous woodland that will become a base for the delivery of heritage craft in West Wales.
What is included in the ticket price?
All equipment and materials that you need for the workshop are included.
Tea, coffee, biscuits and cake! Lots of cake!!
Where will the workshops take place?
In Beth’s inspirational studio and in the grounds of Insole Court, Cardiff. CF5 2LN