March 28th and April 25th, 2026 Relief Carving of a Sailing Ship

Presented by Outaouais Wood Carvers

March 28th from 9:30-4:00 and April 25th, from 1:30-5:00

Nepean Creative Arts Center, 35 Stafford Road, Ottawa in the Practice Room,

Join Brian as he teaches the technique of relief carving a sailing ship.

A few words from Brian about his experience in carving and pyrography:

I have been carving for 34 years, starting in 1992, and I have very much enjoyed the

challenge and the comradery that this art form has given me.

I initially started carving in the round, mainly wildlife, and then settled on relief carving. I have been teaching Relief Carving to club members and the general public for the last

20 years.

I took up pyrography in 2001 and enjoyed it so much that I started teaching pyro to club members and others and continued for many years. I also was the coordinator of a pyro group, the Pyromaniacs, that met every Sunday for 20 years.

All in all, I have completed approximately 230 pyros and 70 carvings.

This relief carving project will teach you these fundamentals of relief carving:

1) How to set out the depths and how many levels you will need.

2) How to carve down to the depths you require.

3) How to undercut layers to give even more 3D effect.

4) How to carve out small holes in the sails.

5) How to outline the carving with an oval ring to give the carving definition.

6) How to stamp or stain the background so that the carving stands out.

Target Audience: Experienced beginner to Intermediate level carver.

Tools needed:

Bench Hook – Please indicate if you have your own or need to borrow one from the club.

Carving glove(s)

Stop Cut Knives

     Carving knife

     Chip carving knife (large)

Straight Gouges

     #3 or #5 10 mm (width)

     #4 20mm

Bent Gouge

     #9 10mm

V or parting tool

     #12 4mm

Veining Tool

     1/16 inch Palm V tool

Other items you should bring if you have them:

pencil (soft) and ruler, carbon or graphite paper, sharpening stones or leather strops

tool box or tool wrap, wooden mallet, 220-400 grit fine sandpaper.

Depth gauge, Stamping tool, tracing paper (these will be available by instructor).

Wood: Basswood 8.5” wide x 10.5” high x 1” thick - will be supplied

Tools and supplies are available from Lee Valley Tools at leevalley.com and Chipping

Away at chippingaway.com

Club Flex Cut gouge sets available for use

Please bring your food and drink to class so we can use our time as best we can.

You will be required to sign a waiver which will supplied at the class.

Note: The minimum # of participants required to run the course is 4 and maximum 8.

Fee: OWC member $ 60

        Non-member $ 80 (includes a reduced $20 annual membership fee)

Registration deadline March 23rd, 2026

Cancellation refunds given only with 4 days' notice of the course, by Tues. March 24th, 2026

Registration and payment are required in advance. First come, first served 😉

To Register: 

Send e-transfer to: owctreasurer8@gmail.com Be sure to include your name, email address, phone #(s) and name of class in the comment section of the e-transfer.

Or:

Send message to owctreasurer8@gmail.com 

Include your name, email address, phone # (s) and name of class.

send cheque made out to:

Outaouais Wood Carvers

c/o 2141 Beaumont Rd

Ottawa ON K1H 5V2

Or

pay in person at our monthly club meeting or weekly carving clutch.