What Students say about Calvo Woodcarving School

To Those Considering David Calvo’s Carving Class:

I am writing this letter to recommend without reservation the woodcarving course given by David Calvo. I took the woodcarving course and found it to be essentially a perfect introduction to the art and craft of woodcarving and would recommend it to anyone that brings a serious desire to learn. In the paragraphs below I will try to pinpoint exactly why I believe this course is so wonderful. It might be difficult for me to convey exactly why found this course so enjoyable and satisfying. So if I fail I recommend that you call David directly as I did when I was considering taking the class.   

The key to the course is David himself, since for the five days of the course it’s just him and several students (Four in my case but I’m told up to seven or nine is the norm.) in a room talking, sharpening and carving.

David wants to give his students a sense of the full range of what woodcarving is and what it means to him. He tends not to gloss over important matters such as tool sharpening. Thus, in the five day course I took, most of us spent the first day and one half sharpening our tools and rendering the pattern onto the wood block before we made our first cut into wood.  David carefully explained the theory of sharpening and the different kind of sharpening stones and we all practiced the techniques as we honed our tools for the tasks ahead.

David brings a good perspective to his craft. The first thing we did in the class was for each student to discuss why he was drawn to the class, what their experiences with woodcarving and woodworking have been and what they hope to get from the class. With that as background Mr. Calvo was able to let the students know if their expectations were realistic (they mostly were) and to start the students along the way to achieving their goals. 

David sees woodcarving as an art that fully reflects the human experience. So, as we discussed the various woodcarving topics such as design, style, rendering, design transfer, wood quality and type, the nature of grain and using the various chisels, David found it appropriate to introduce a wide array of related topics. The conversation in the class often shifted to music, philosophy, art, and the joy of life. Mr. Calvo spoke of his years in Mexico, his wife and child, his various woodcarving projects, and the European masters who taught him his craft and whose tools he still uses. Since you work pretty much close to each other for the duration of the course I think it is important to be able to be in a relaxed mode and the conversation to be free. Both these conditions were easily met. In addition, David is able to bridge the gap between being very serious about woodcarving and having a light enough touch so that his drive for excellence and his desire to convey something important to his students do not become too intense or oppressive. 

For me it was the perfect introductory course and I enthusiastically recommend it as an inspiring and learning experience. 

Rob Stern

New York City..............................

Fellow woodworker/hobbyist:

If you're considering taking a wood carving course and unsure if that offered in David Calvo's studio is right for you, go no further. David's shop is where you want to be and David is the one to teach you.

Let me say for myself, as a person with intermediate woodworking skills, who has been notoriously hard to please and has very high expectations, that I was completely blown away by David and the course. His organized approach to the craft of carving and step by step mentoring made it a most thoroughly enjoyable and productive five days. The fundamentals were stressed in the relaxed atmosphere of the studio and in the beautifully tranquil town of Gloucester, providing what I felt a solid foundation for any level of carving. David was approachable and an excellent resource, sharing very entertaining historical tidbits and anecdotes along the way as he walked us through the carving process. Our class consisted of 7 students of varying skill and we all unanimously agreed that the course was excellent, and each of us came away with new ideas, carving talents, enthusiasm and great respect for our teacher.

I am pleased to say, having just returned from Mr. Calvo's studio, that it was absolutely the best course I've ever taken and I'm planning to return for both the tool forging course and the advanced carving course. The opportunity to gain knowledge and skills from Mr. Calvo is not to be missed if you are a serious student of carving or are just considering it as a hobby. 5 STARS!!!!!

John Jovanovic

Ontario, Canada...................

I have taken several classes from David and have come to know him as a master craftsman, a fantastic artist, a gifted intellect, a great storyteller and a friend. 

I came to the first class having somehow previously carved a wood horse head for my first son’s rocking chair. I was exhilarated and frustrated by the experience. I persisted with that first project despite the wrong tools, wrong sharpening and wrong carving technique.  What a fantastic ‘eureka’ moment awaited with the first class I took with David. In three remarkable days we quickly learned about the right tools, the right way to sharpen them and the right way to use them.

In addition we learned to focus the body, eye and mind on the carving process. We learned about material and design, art and architectural history, tool design and metallurgy (examined in depth in the forging class). David tells wonderful stories about his training and experiences as a master carver.

Woodcarving, and the teaching thereof, encompasses far more than just intellectual knowledge.  This is a physical/mental, right brain/left brain skill.  David’s teaching is perfectly adapted to this holistic and challenging craft.  This is not carving-by-the-numbers. You can’t get the multi-channel learning input and feedback from a book. The skill and sensory learning process is cyclical and David is masterful in identifying the next little tidbit of understanding that will bump you through the rough spots. You will learn to use and trust you artist’s eye.  I’ve always come away from these classes with a lot of satisfaction and real accomplishment.

Greg Charney

Pepperell, MA......................

Your teaching technique had an amazing sense of balance from knowing when to take a break, to taking us to a different local restaurant for lunch each day.

You have a unique insight that allows you to let us struggle enough to learn from our small mistakes but tells you when to be there to answer any questions and to provide right amount of guidance to prevent us from making big mistakes.

I enjoyed your wonderful sense of humor.

John Schnobrich

Redwood Falls, Minnesota

David,

What a pleasure it was to attend your woodcarving class this October.

I was amazed that as a complete novice (never having pushed a gouge before), I was able to create something I will actually display at home!  I’ve never been in a class with such personal attention, along with an honest camaraderie.  It was great FUN!

I came to the class to begin a new hobby with no particular artistic flare or background in woodworking.  Although others in my class were competent and experienced woodworkers, I was able to move at my own pace, and very much enjoyed your careful tutelage at my own pace.

And you boiled the techniques down to their essence.  We were exposed to clear instruction in tool choice, tool sharpening, techniques for lettering and design, creative design principles, design transfer methods, and general carving.  Beyond that, I learned as much by watching you use the tools and my own tools to help me “feel and hear” the wood. There were meaningful discussions on each aspect, and a free and open response to all my questions. Mingled with the demonstrations and instruction was exposure to some of the great sculpted works of the old masters.

Keep me on your list!  I’ll be back for your graduate course….

Bruce Woolsey

Valley Springs, CA..........................

Hello David,

I just returned from my two week pleasure/business trip. The week in Gloucester was the highlight of my trip. I learned many useful tips and techniques. I will incorporate many of these things in my business and hobbies.

From the start of your class on the first day I learned many things. The sharpening tips and hands on practice are very valuable. I have about 20 tools, other then the ones I purchased from you, and I am sharpening those one by one. Now that I have the proper sharpening technique they are each turning into much more enjoyable tools to use. The design ideas that you pointed out, such as the many facets of contrast, will help my work improve. Plus now that these ideas have been put into words as far as what to look for and focus on I look at art work and nature in a much different way. Almost as if I have a brand new connection between eyes and brain. There are things in art and nature that I have always enjoyed looking at, but now I can see more clearly how the individual parts blend in ways to accent each other. I am now more inspired to expand my carving techniques as I embellish my woodworking projects. Thank You. The cost of the class was well worth it.

Happy Carving,

Jim Grass

California...............................

To the interested student,

I have always wanted to learn woodcarving. Many years ago I saw David Calvo on the PBS Television Show "The Woodwright's Shop" and knew he was the one I wanted to instruct me. It was only last summer '06 that I finally had the opportunity to take a week long class with him. The reason I wanted to study with him is he was so impressive in his style and manner on The Woodwright Television show. He was able to make it all seem to flow in a natural manner. His presentation in class was a classical learning experience. Everyone was so relaxed after the first few hours that it seemed we had been with him for a very long time. I don't think one could learn more about woodcarving in one week and be able to take what was learned and run with to the degree we were able. Everyone was so excited and eager to continue. Many of us agreed we would sign up for the Level 2 class in '07.

Mike Hamud

California........................

I like David's approach. It's not all mechanical. There is an organic feel to it all. Getting to know your tools...making them an extension of yourself...knowing the wood and working with it. David gave me the "outline within which to work. Now I can allow myself to fill that "outline".

Charlie

Maryland.....................

Excellent learning experience. Appreciate your extreme patience. You are a natural teacher. Easy to ask questions and get clarifications for what the student needs help with. Enjoyed the lunch experience. Very helpful all around. Thanks

Lynn Schafer

Illinois.................................

Today, I am walking out with a real sense of accomplishment. I thoroughly enjoyed the course. You opened up a new world and passion within my life as a beginner woodworker. I know we will meet again in another course. I would really like to take your forging class.

Bob Lindsay

Massachusetts.......................

I always wanted to learn carving - a quiet and cerebral pursuit- but I couldn't do so from books or a video.  It takes a master carver with a gift for teaching to impart the secrets. In David I was fortunate to find that individual.  He explained, and the class applied, design concepts, drawing, material selection, tool techniques and sharpening, and error avoidance - all the important fundamentals. I'm quite pleased with what I can produce now and it gets better with practice.

Carl Lizio, Boston, MA...........................

David,

I've wanted to learn how to do ornamental and architectural woodcarving for many years. I took a course several years ago from which I came away extremely frustrated and quite pessimistic about my chances of ever acquiring the skill. I now have the time to devote to carving, so I did a Google search on “woodcarving instruction” and found David Calvo’s web site. A quick review of David’s background and work convinced me to contact him. Since I live an hour or so from his studio, I arranged to meet David. That led to my decision to take his beginner's course.

First, let me say that if you don’t already have a collection of carving tools, buy the beginner set David sells. Don’t buy a set of tools from a retail store or on the internet. David carefully selects the tools you need to begin and his set doesn’t include any tools you’ll never use. But if you have a collection of carving tools already, bring them to class and buy any additional tools you need from David.

Learning woodcarving is a daunting undertaking. There are so many skills involved. You need to learn how to shape and sharpen your tools. You need to learn how to approach a carving – what do you do first, second, third, etc. You need to learn how to hold your tools and use them, both with and without a mallet and using both hands. You need to know about the types of wood to use. You need to understand design. You need to know how to achieve depth in your carving. You need to know how to work with wood grain and how to fix your “oopses” and how to avoid them the next time. That’s a lot to learn in a three day class. It requires a well-structured course. The course begins with a discussion of tool shape - why you need the shape David recommends and how to sharpen your tools to achieve the correct shape. You have a chance to try a tool of your own sharpening and compare it to a tool David has sharpened. If that doesn’t make a believer of you, I don’t know what could! You learn how to know when your tools are properly sharp. Hint: it’s not by shaving your arm or testing on your thumbnail. When the carving actually begins, David demonstrates the tools you should use and the cuts you need to make. It is marvelous to watch David carve. The wood seems to know what he wants and does it willingly for him. The wood didn’t obey me nearly as well, but having watched David is an inspiration. I know that it can be done well and I'm confident that with properly shaped and sharpened tools and lots of practice, I too can produce really good work.

Throughout the class, David takes breaks from sharpening and carving to discuss topics related to design, types of wood for carving, etc. He knows intuitively when the class needs a change of pace. He’s also present all the time and quite willing to answer any questions you might have or show you how to do something with which you’re having difficulty.

If you want to learn woodcarving, I highly recommend David’s beginner workshop, if you can possibly do it. You can’t learn from videos what you’ll learn from a live instructor. When (not if) you encounter difficulty, you’ll have no one to ask for help if you go the video instruction route. The interaction with other students in the class is also a real bonus. I thoroughly enjoyed the other students in the class I took. One last word. David is a real master carver. He learned from masters and wants to pass that knowledge on. He believes in what he’s teaching because it has worked so well for him for many years. David approaches his teaching with confidence because he knows he’s teaching the right way to carve. He doesn’t try to hide anything from his students or keep any “trade secrets” to himself. David is also a really nice person, which isn’t always true of highly accomplished people. I’m thankful I had the opportunity to take the course and very thankful to know David. I have to go practice. I want to be ready for David’s next intermediate class.

Roger Olney

Boxboro, Massachusetts..........................

I took David Calvo’s carving class to learn carving taught by a respected craftsman with a national reputation.  And carving I learned.  What I really found, however, was how David used carving and his beloved seaport town of Gloucester to take us through a journey of European carving techniques surrounded by consideration of aesthetics, design, work ethic, small business models, and personal health.  And yes, the outings of food, art and boatbuilding.  All of this in an atmosphere of mutual respect and the easy throw of ideas between teacher and students.   For a week we learned, we experienced… and we were happy.

Bob Hamilton

New Hampshire...........................

Dear David,

I wanted to drop you a line thanking you for a great class.

It was amazing to see a group of people with different reasons for taking the class, different interests and different skill levels all get the same amount of satisfaction from the instruction.  The structure of your class meets the individual student where they are skill-wise and enables everyone to progress at there own rate.  I have taken courses previously where the class was too difficult or not challenging enough, which ends up causing an unsatisfying experience.  I think I could take the same class again and achieve the same amount of progress that I did the first time.  

The sharpening component of your class was most helpful.  Today there are so many options when it comes to sharpening tools it is hard to know where to spend your time and money.  It is hard to become more proficient at putting an edge on your tools if you don’t commit to a sharpening strategy.  Your method makes sense and doesn’t require a lot of money for some machine.  It is reassuring to know that carvers have been using the method that you teach for generations (before expensive machines were available).  Once you taught our class the proper steps I could see that your process makes good theoretical sense.  After some guided practice I was able to satisfactorily sharpen my tools.  I have continued to use your sharpening methods back in my shop with good results.  

I personally enjoyed the portion of the class on the history of design.  To see examples of symmetry in architecture and nature was fascinating.  In our present day society so much of the information we are presented with lacks specificity.  It was wonderful to be able to be immersed in a few details such as: the edge of a tool, the design of a leaf, and carving a small piece of wood.  I feel like the old saying that, “less is more” holds true for your class. We only focused on a few details but I feel like I came away from the class learning a tremendous amount. 

Finally, the setting in the historic town of Gloucester was great.  To wander around the old village during breaks was a lot of fun.  Thanks for a great class!!  I hope I can take another class some time this year.

Thanks,

David Lockwood

Rhode Island..........................    

David Calvo's Barebones class was just the thing for me . The abilities in our 5 day class ran from very experienced to no carving experience, and from furniture carvers to caricatures carvers. David's lessons were of great help to all of us. His training in classical carving and his practical approach to using these skills made learning woodcarving very approachable for the novice and the experienced.

The hands on classes covered a lot of material from how to sharpen and what kind carving tools are best, to project designing and how to decide what comes next in the carving. David is available all along the way, patiently answering questions and pointing out problems.

I had been thinking about a piece before the class but had no idea how to start. After I got home, I was able to design the piece using a lot of David's technique. The carving took about a week with some stops and starts. I was very pleased with the result.

I find I am better able to think through my carvings with a new view to design using David's valleys and mountains metaphors and his concave and convex theory. I can better guide my tools and am more aware of a dull tool. I am better able to design a project and have a fool proof method of where to go next .... I also, for the first time, have some very sharp tools.

Denis Barry

Central Valley NY

Mid Hudson Carvers....................

David Calvo's passion for wood carving was evident as he taught us the techniques that have been passed down through generations of master wood carvers. As a design professional, I was delighted that David incorporated design concepts throughout the week long Bare Bones course. He is a talented wood carver and an excellent teacher. 

Laurie Coderre, AIA

Nashville,Tennessee