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BA (HONS) CARVING: WOODCARVING & GILDING
This three-year course accredited by the Ravensbourne University London, is designed to prepare you for work as a professional wood carver. Graduates usually progress to employment within the field of architectural heritage.
The curriculum focuses on the wide range of skills required to become a professional wood carver. These include not only advanced carving techniques, but also drawing, modelling, frame restoration, casting, portraiture, artistic anatomy, ornament study, gilding, heraldry, design and the history of carving in architecture and sculpture. You are also introduced to repair and restoration techniques and to relevant conservation practices and ethics.
Full course details can be found in the Course Handbook.
The first year lays the foundations for the development of your carving, study and research skills. Simple exercises start from first principles and develop skills in a progressive manner, whilst simultaneously introducing you to the ornamental vocabulary of the wood-carver. In the Drawing Studio, structured courses support you to develop observation and technique, whilst your modelling and casting skills are developed in relief and portrait study. Lettering study initially covers the construction and design of letterforms, before moving into cutting in wood. Art Histories lectures and assignments will support you to develop your knowledge and understanding of the historical context of woodcarving and architectural ornament.
The second year continues the pattern of the first in its combination of woodcarving practice supported by the study of drawing, modelling and lettering in tutor led sessions. The basic skills and understanding you developed in the first year are now applied to the production of more complex ornamental forms, as well as drapery and the human figure. The practice of gilding is taught covering different techniques such as oil and water gilding, gesso cutting, toning, distressing and verre eglomise. Study visits and Art Histories lectures will provide you with an essential insight in to the meaning and significance of historical forms of ornament.
Art Histories Tutor, Michael Paraskos, will lead you on study visits to some of London’s significant historic buildings. In this Zoom conversation, he explains how students benefit from experiencing a building first-hand.
The final year of study involves you in the planning, research and execution of major projects within your own chosen specialist area. The projects provide you with the challenge and opportunity to demonstrate your technical expertise, design skills and aesthetic awareness, supported by evidence of your historical and contextual research presented in your sketchbooks, three-dimensional studies, dissertation and in your portfolio documentation. The final year culminates in a public exhibition of work produced.
Career development and professional practice seminars cover subjects such as estimating, marketing and websites, working to commission, and setting up a workshop. Live projects support your portfolio development and provide valuable opportunities to learn about the commissioning process first hand.