Demonstrations
Power Carving & Surface Design 101: Tools, Textures, and Safe Techniques
This introductory demo gives turners a clear, approachable overview of power carving as a companion to the lathe. It covers how micromotor carvers work, recommended gear, safe and ergonomic setups, beginner-friendly woods, and the fundamental burr types used to sculpt and add texture. We’ll go over simple surface design techniques—relief carving, stippling, cup burs, experimental texturing—and explore how a woodburner can complement carving to create unique patterns. Participants leave with a solid understanding of the tools, essential texturing techniques, and inspiration to explore carving and woodburning in their own work.
Power Carving & Surface Design 201: Complex Patterns, Layered Texture, and Color
This advanced demo dives deeper into developing bold, intricate designs on turned forms. Building on basic rotary carving knowledge, we’ll explore how to create multi-layered textures, options for building outward from a flat surface, and adding exciting color using acrylics, milk paint, inks, dry brushing, and washes. You’ll learn how to bring bold, layered textures to life and how to use contrast and repetition to make surfaces visually compelling. Ideal for turners ready to push beyond basic embellishment and into expressive sculptural surface work. Participants will gain strategies for designing complex patterns, techniques for combining carving and color, and ideas for pushing turned forms into expressive sculptural surfaces.
