Intermediate Wood Carving: Shorebird
Experience Level: Intermediate
Instructor: Ryan Barnard
His Website
Moderator: Jamie Harpster
Class Size: 10 Students
Sessions: 2 sessions at 6 hours each
This course will be via Zoom.
Course Description
Take your carving skills to the next level in this immersive two-day class focused on carving a realistic shorebird in the round. Designed for students with prior carving experience, this intermediate course emphasizes form, proportion, and detail.
Over the course of 10–12 hours, you’ll refine your technique and deepen your artistic eye as you learn how to see and draw form before committing blade to wood. You’ll shape a full-bodied bird from roughout to refinement, learning how to carve complex features like wings, tails, beaks, and eyes using only hand tools.
Each session includes a sharpening and safety review, guided instruction, and dedicated carving time with individual coaching.
You’ll walk away with:
• A fully carved shorebird sculpture
• Confidence in anatomical shaping
• Skills in proportion drawing and feature detailing
Whether your interest lies in wildlife carving or decorative sculpture, this class is a perfect step forward on your carving journey.
Day-by-Day Class Agenda:
Day 1: Forming the Body & Major Features (5–6 Hours)
• Welcome & Safety Refresher (30-60 min)
-Carving safety practices and grip techniques
-Carving safety practices and grip techniques
-Sharpening demo & review (stropping, bevel angles, edge care)
• Visualizing the Bird (45 min)
-Drawing the shorebird with correct proportions
-Interpreting a form from flat patterns
• Contouring the Body (1.5 hours)
-Rounding and blocking out the bird’s form
-Identifying feather groups and muscle masses
• Carving the Wings & Shoulder Haunches (1.5–2 hours)
-Establishing wing planes
-Smoothing transitions between shoulder and breast
• Carving the Tail & Refining the Body (1–1.5 hours)
-Creating natural tail taper and wing overlap
Day 2: Head, Beak, Eyes & Detailing (5–6 Hours)
• Review & Prep (15–30 min)
-Quick project review Q&A
• Carving the Head (1.5 hours)
-Blocking and rounding head shape
-Neck transitions and posture
• Carving the Beak (1 hour)
-Tapering, symmetry, and undercutting
-Reinforcement techniques for fragile tips
• Eye Placement & Sockets (45–60 min)
-Positioning for a lifelike gaze
-Drilling, shaping, and recess carving
• Final Touches & Detailing (1–1.5 hours)
-Texturing and refining feather groups
-Undercutting, contour enhancement
• Wrap-Up & Group Review (15–30 min)
-Student show-and-tell
-Instructor feedback
Tools & Materials Needed
Required Tools:
• Detail carving knife
• Sloyd carving knife
• Detail Sanding Sticks
• Sandpaper (80 – 400 grit)
• Sharpening stone with leather strop and green honing compound
• Pencil, compass/dividers, ruler, and drawing or graphing paper.
• Drill with a 3/8” bit
• Optional: students may use a wood burning kit for detailing the feather groups, paint the feathers, or finish the carving with oil and beeswax.
Required Materials:
• 3/8” x 8” Dowel
• Recommend a piece of driftwood or firewood as the base.
o NOTE: Students may choose to decorate the base with river rocks.
• Pattern reference sheets will be emailed to students one week before the class.
o NOTE: Students will need to cut out the blank according to the pattern before the start of the class. This can be done on a bandsaw, with a bow saw, or a coping saw.
• NOTE: Eye beads or eye punches: Eyes are difficult to carve, and it is recommended that students use either a round eye carving punch or pearl beadinserts for the eyes. Students will need to determine whether they prefer to use carving punches for the eyes or pearl bead inserts that are drilled and glued into place with E6000 adhesive.
Course Dates
Date: November 1st and 2nd, 2025
Start Time: 12:00 PM CST (10:00 AM PST / 11:00 AM MST / 1:00 PM EST)
End Time: 6:00 PM CST (4:00 PM PST / 5:00 PM MST / 7:00 PM EST)