Back to Main Page RED DEER COLLEGE SERIES 2009:
SUMMER SCHOOL OF THE VISUAL ARTS

CREATIVE ANTLER CARVING

Abstract Fish, 2008 by Keith Levoir TBA, 2009
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada

During this workshop participants will learn how to carve moose antler as an artistic medium, using power tools. Our subject will be an exotic, imaginary tropical fish. Why? Using an imaginary tropical fish as a subject we will be free to experiment, helping us develop our individual and unique styles, while also focusing on how to carve recognizable features usable on other realistic carvings: eyes, mouths, and textures like hair, feathers, and scales.

The course will take place during the Carving School portion of Red Deer College's fabulous Summer School of the Visual Arts, date TBA, 2009. Check out the Red Deer College website for further details after January 2009, or call - Toll Free: 1-888-886-2787.

The Red Deer Series is one of the largest summer art programs in North America, offering practical instruction from world class practicing artists in a variety of media. They also offer very reasonable accommomdation at the Red Deer College Residence for the duration of the course. In 2009, Series classes will be held in the newly completed arts wing at Red Deer College.


Creative Antler Carving
Outline

Preparation (1-2 months prior to course):
I will call each student to establish expectations, available tools, design and material requirements.

NOTE:
Class Hours: 9AM-4:30PM
Studio Hours: 8AM-11PM

Day 1
Morning:
Orientation: Red Deer forms, etc. Antler Carving basics - lecture format using Power Point
Principles of Creative Design - class review
Choose fish as basis for carving design

Afternoon:
Create paper template, choose antler, transfer design
Cut rough outline, refine outline
Draw in basic contours, eye, mouth, gill and fin placement.
Begin to give thought to individual design elements (overnight).

Evening:
5:30-6:30PM - Welcome Supper, location TBA
7:00PM-8:45PM - Instructors' Talk and Slide Show (Lecture Hall)

Day 2
Morning:
Field trip to House of Tools, Acklands.
Begin roughing out basic contours.
Complete individual designs on paper and transfer to antler.

Afternoon:
Rough out designs using larger grinders and burrs (Foredom S Series, burrs - various)

Day 3
Morning and Afternoon:
Refine designs using smaller, more precise grinders and burrs.
Shape body edges and fins.
(RAM Micromotor Tool or Proxon or Dremel, 1/8", 3/32" burrs: Dremel 9901, 9905, 107, 110, 117, engraving burrs with round and square tips).

Day 4
Morning:
Discussion of burrs, concave, convex and straight cuts.
Eyes and mouth detail.
Carve eyes and mouth.
Final carving touches.
Finishing techniques: sanding, polishing and buffing
(Dremel Flexible Shaft with 1/8" abrasive cone, sanding drums (flap and regular), polishing wheel with White Tripoli compound, buffing wheel)
Afternoon:
Continue work on carvings until 5PM, deliver to show area
Discuss mounting and presentation techniques (fixed mount, wall mount, floating mount)

Evening (6:30-8:00PM):
Student Show

Day 5
Morning and Afternoon:
Discuss implications for carving a full antler. Other considerations.
Tour of other art classes. (Further creative ideas)
Group Lunch
3:00PM - Complete program evaluations and service reviews
4:00PM - Clean-up

Course Tools/Materials List (Students encouraged to bring own tools)

One of the following grinders:

Plus:

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Copyright © 1997 - 2009 Shane Wilson