Student Testimonials

David:

Here are some my thoughts and notes on the class. You might remember that I had no exposure to Carving at all before your class, with the exception of a few magazine articles mostly aimed at turners who embellished their work with small grinders. I was a little reticent at first due to my lack of experience.

Fortunately, for me, however I had enrolled in the "Two Day tool forging class." The class was a great initiation, not into carving per se, but into your method of teaching, which is a very friendly, "Don't Worry Style." Don't Worry was a great way for me to approach the discipline of carving. When the Carving class began I was very comfortable and not the least nervous about what I did not know.

In the course of the carving class David slowly exposed us to complex theories of Art and Design, almost incidentally, leading me down the road to understanding with an easy deep flow like the Gloucester tides. We started each day with a "Camp Fire" where carving concepts were discussed. Concepts such as light and shadow contrasts, concave as opposed to convex forms, highs and lows in the carving, all in easy to digest plain language approach. Intricacies such as grain direction made understandable by the Grain Compass. Stance and tool control, arms position, use of both hands, and leg position to guide tools along the projected path were made simple to grasp by David's easy style.

David uses the analogy of peeling a carrot to describe the process of reveling the carving from the wood. My analogy is his teaching is like an Artichoke, peeling away the leaves of the fruit, layer by layer until you expose the Artichoke's heart.

The information flows from; tools shaping, sharpening, to proper usage of the tools; stance, "Front seat driving" and further to concepts described as "Ceiling to Floor" i.e. Highs and Lows. Seeing the Design, peeling the carrot as the design emerges, working the carving as a whole not in parts, setting in, digging the ditch and landscaping all are descriptions of order of working a carving. But foremost remember, "Don't Worry" keep going.

The Class left me with the desire to dig deeper into the craft and myself.

Dear Interested Student:

I recommend the five-day Basic Woodcarving class. The course gave me the skills that I needed to be self-sufficient in carving at home. David's teaching method is to gather the class together for brief teaching sessions where he'll explain some aspect of carving and also demonstrate a carving technique. I found a short demonstrations from a master to be invaluable for my learning. Then he has the students return to their workstations to practice what they've learned. He walks around the studio observing the students' work, giving one-on-one instruction where needed, and answering questions from the students. Some of the topics that he taught were wood grain anatomy, body and hand position, letting the tools dictate the cuts, the steps of a carving project; creating contrast - foreground and background, rough and smooth, curved and straight, etc., - to increase visual appeal; tool sharpening, and workspace organization. The class size - 11 students - allowed David to watch our progress closely and give individual attention.

I found out about the Calvo studio courses on the Internet. After reading Calvo's website I knew the Basic Carving course was what I was looking for. The studio was easy to reach: I flew into Boston, caught a Massport bus to the T, caught a Commuter Rail train to Gloucester, and walked to the Rocky Neck Accommodations near the studio. One aspect of the course I enjoyed was its location. I could feel the history as I walked the streets of Gloucester. Its economy has been based on fishing for centuries. My class bonded in the studio and over meals. David's local knowledge guided us to one excellent and reasonably priced eatery after another. I gained weight. On two mornings I borrowed a bicycle and rode north up the coast. Just outside the town the coastline is beautiful with the sea crashing on rocks. When I saw that and the harbor I understood why artists are drawn there.

I learned and had an enjoyable time. The classes are physically demanding and focused. The ratio of carving to instruction was about nine to one, and that was a good ratio because carving is learned by doing. We did three projects, each building on the one before.

Student email:

For years, I have been struggling to learn to carve. I've read books, purchased video and online classes, even took a few classes from the local Woodcraft store. Every attempt to carve left me frustrated. I had more questions after every attempt and just couldn't get the hang of it.

I saw an announcement of the 5-day Bare Bone Beginning Class somewhere and just the very description of the class began answering my questions. I signed up and got a reservation at Rocky Neck Accommodations (I highly recommend this place). Arizona to Boston to Gloucester. By the way, Gloucester is a really nice town with lots of good food and art.

Within the first hour of the class, I knew I'd have all my questions answered: I'd learn to hold the tools, learn how to get the tools sharp and keep them that way, have a good understanding of how to approach relief carving. The days were packed with information, exercises - the Grain Wheel is an awesome learning project -, music, conversation, humor, coffee breaks and lunches at David's favorite places in Gloucester. I was exhausted at the end of every day and raring to go the next morning. The fleur di lis project (It was also David's first project as a beginning carver) contains all the techniques and components of any relief carving. David showed us in a stepwise fashion how to complete it successfully. My fleur di lis is not perfect, but I'm mighty proud of it. I learned all the things I wanted to learn and much much more and had a really good time doing it. I'm confident I can do a repeat fleur di lis (David recommends repeating the project at home) or any other basic relief carving.

The class is great. Don't hesitate to take it. You'll learn lots about carving and have a lot of fun doing it. I'm going back for the next level as soon as I can.

Student email:

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.

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 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.

David sees woodcarving as an art that fully reflects the human experience. The conversation in the class often shifted to music, philosophy, art, and the joy of life. For me it was the perfect introductory course and I enthusiastically recommend it as an inspiring and learning experience.

Dear 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.

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. 5 STARS!!!!!

Dear Fellow Interested Students:

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.

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. David tells wonderful stories about his training and experiences as a master carver.

David's teaching is perfectly adapted to this holistic and challenging craft. You will learn to use and trust your artist's eye. I've always come away from these classes with a lot of satisfaction and real accomplishment.

David,

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.

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!

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

Hello David,

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.

The sharpening tips and hands on practice are very valuable. 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. The cost of the class was well worth it.

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. 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 it to the degree we were able. Many of us agreed we would sign up for the Second Level class.

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".

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

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.

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.

David,

I've wanted to learn how to do ornamental and architectural wood carving 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. A quick review of David's background and work convinced me to contact him. 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.

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.

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. You can't learn from videos what you'll learn from a live instructor. David is a real master carver. He learned from masters and wants to pass that knowledge on. David is also a really nice person. I'm thankful I had the opportunity to take the course.

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.

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 their own rate.

The sharpening component of your class was most helpful. 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. 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.

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!!

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 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 also, for the first time, have some very sharp tools.

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.

I just got back from David Calvo's Five Day Bare Bones Wood carving Class. After spending many months researching which of the many wood carving classes to take, I assure you, without any reservation whatsoever, that this is the class to take.

Five days with David is worth ten thousand pages! David learned his craft from European masters, and has honed his skills for decades. He is a master woodcarver. Throughout every day, he reminded us of those basic skills and reinforced and instilled them in a way that resonates in my memory - and my muscle memory -- every time I pick up my tools.

David talked to us about, showed us, and taught us about the details of every aspect of the craft... sharpening, clay modeling, body position and mechanics, wood choice, tool choice, design and imagination, to mention only a few.

I came home with a confidence and excitement which has not abated after 5 weeks! I will soon be diving into my second fleur-du-lis, as I plan my next trip to Gloucester, Mass. and another David Calvo class.

David's skills and experiences of woodcarving show in his teaching. His teaching of his techniques are very valuable. I would highly recommend taking his workshop because when you come away from it you'll find satisfaction in getting ready to do some serious woodcarving at home on your own. Again, he's approachable, down to earth and a great teacher. The art of woodcarving is evident.