Enrollment for this class opens on February 17, 2025 at 8:00am EST. If you wish to enroll please email info@petergalbert.com . Space is filled in the order emails come in starting no earlier than 8:00am.
Bird-inspired bowls have been produced from ancient times up to today, across many cultures. We'll begin by carving a goose-inspired bowl, then venture out from there. We'll work through the practical design/layout process together and proceed through each stage of the carving. Students will make individual design decisions that will allow each bowl to be unique. The same process that we will practice is adaptable to sculptural bowls of many forms, and students will leave with an understanding of how to design and carve their own bowls (bird or otherwise) from either green wood or dry lumber. Several examples of bird bowls and other bowls will be on hand to explore.
Among the skills and techniques that will be emphasized are:
Envisioning the three-dimensional form in the block of lumber, log, or branch crook.
Layout techniques to achieve symmetry and beautiful curves. Methods that will apply to any style of bowl and beyond.
Exploration of various bird forms and how to translate them into figurative bowls.
Hollowing and Carving techniques
Sharpening gouges and other carving tools
Paint and coloring options
Decorative carving techniques using knife and gouge.
Tuition is $1900 which includes all materials.
Reservations will be first come first serve. A deposit of $700 is due upon enrollment.
COVID Policy
All students must be vaccinated against Covid 19. We recommend each student traveling for the workshops carry travel insurance in the event their trip is cancelled due to contracting the virus. In the unfortunate situation a class is cancelled or missed due to illness, the class will be rescheduled not refunded.
Tool List: By bringing your own tools, you'll leave with sharp tools ready to use when you're back at home. Although I'll try to have a spare or two available in a pinch.
12" pencil compass (like this or similar: https://www.grizzly.com/products/grizzly-12-divider-compass/h5886?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwrIixBhBbEiwACEqDJXmFZiCHr1qPCIeH9w-0WDVFvrB2YrdsorZWSaReUGzsyQYOTbsi3hoCMlsQAvD_BwE
#8/25-30mm bent gouge, or very similar https://woodworkerspecialties.com/product/8l-long-bent-tools/ Other good spots to compare/look for carving tools: https://www.chippingaway.com https://www.woodcraft.com https://www.highlandwoodworking.com (Auriou or Hirsch) https://twocherriesusa https://www.dastrausa.com https://www.classichandtools.com
#6 20-22mm straight gouge or similar. https://woodworkerspecialties.com/product/6-sweep-gouges-by-pfeil-swiss-made/
1"-1.5" chisel (single or double bevel). So, a wide carpenter's chisel that can be hit with a mallet, or a wide carver's chisel that can be hit with a mallet. Alternatively, a wide shallow gouge like a 30-40mm #3 gouge will work just as well. https://woodworkerspecialties.com/product/1-double-bevel-straight-chisels-by-pfeil-swiss-made/
#8/7mm gouge https://woodworkerspecialties.com/product/d8-gouges/
Sloyd knife (Mora 106, 120, or similar) https://ragweedforgestore.com/products/copy-of-mora-carving-106?variant=42260056801509&country=US¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAABw-XPoBYxX4aJWkkGIhZFWIPdO1E&gclid=CjwKCAiAjKu6BhAMEiwAx4UsAolDWCLGvLSSLDyIy7pPJ5sPS64n6n_Su7RtGLQH6gl6v7k0TspgxRoC2soQAvD_BwE
chip carving knife or similar (with a straight cutting edge -- even a utility knife will do) https://woodworkerspecialties.com/product/pfeil-chip-carving-knife-2/
The following tools could be useful. No pressure, just suggestions. (Bring them if you have them and can fit them):
Hook knife or other hollowing tools. Some of the bird bowl forms I do have very deep steep hollows. For such forms, hook knives like those used for hollowing the bowls of spoons or scorps of one sort or another can be very useful. If you have any, bring them. For bowls, some are more useful than others. One of my favorites for deep steep bowls is the E-bend crooked knife from Kestrel Tool https://www.kestreltool.com/store/kestrel-crooked-knife. Lee Stoffer's scorps are also very good: https://stoffercraft.com. The Kestrel double edge and the fully round scorp form both allow you to adjust to changing grain direction in the bowl hollow.
Two holdfasts for 3/4" holes. Only bring these if you already have some and you are driving. I'll have a bunch at Pete's for you to use.
Block plane or bench plane.
Whatever other carving gouges, hook tools, or the like you have and would like to bring
Hatchet
Pocket Saw or other small hand saw
#7 or #8 spoon-bent gouge https://woodworkerspecialties.com/product/8a-short-bent-spoon-gouges-by-pfeil-swiss-made/. Many blacksmiths make similar tools calling them swan-neck, bottoming, or dog-leg gouges.
#8/25mm straight gouge or similar. https://woodworkerspecialties.com/product/8-sweep-gouges-by-pfeil-swiss-made/
V-tool. If you want to get a nice little v-tool that is an incredible bargain and comes razor sharp ready to go: https://www.goodsjapan.com/mikisyo-power-grip-wood-carving-pmc-parting-tool-60-degree-v-gouge-6mm-knife/a-20601 You can find these mikisyo power grip tools elsewhere too. Not for mallet work though.
some sharpening stones/slips/strop (unless your checked baggage is nearing 50 lbs!)
square
simple notebook/sketchbook and a pencil/pen if you wish to take notes
Substantial carving mallet, I especially recommend the Wood is Good 20oz https://toolsforworkingwood.com/store/item/EE-170-10.20 A search will show the same mallet sold by many places if you want to compare prices. Again, only if you have one and it's easy to bring. We'll have some at Pete's.
