Letter Carving
Chris Pye
September 20 – 24
The art of letter carving has wide applications, from signing a piece of fine furniture to sign making, and as a decorative element in furniture and other woodwork. In this workshop, participants acquire an understanding of good letter design and layout, as well as the carving skills necessary to tackle any letter style.
Beginning with simple tool cuts, Chris leads students through a series of informal exercises and projects which build into carving the full Roman alphabet—the classic style of capital letters with which we are familiar today. Other styles, such as Gothic and Celtic, are also covered. Throughout, Chris focuses on correct tool sharpening and efficient carving techniques: incising the clean flowing lines which are the mark of good workmanship.
From his studio in Herefordshire, England, Chris Pye works on a broad spectrum of commissions, including lettering, heraldry, furniture ornamentation, architectural carving, and sculpture. A Member of the Master Carvers Association, clients include HRH the Prince of Wales. Chris has some thirty years of experience as a carver, and is the author of five books published by GMC Publications Ltd.: Woodcarving Tools, Materials, and Equipment (1995, 2002), Carving on Turning (1995), Lettercarving in Wood (1997), Relief Carving: A Practical Introduction (1998), Elements of Woodcarving (2000), and Woodcarving Projects and Techniques (2007). He has also produced three DVDs which are available through his website: www.chrispye-woodcarving.com.