Egg Carving Classes

Live Carving Classes Online!

Gary LeMaster ◦ 3625 Elgin Drive ◦ Iowa City ◦ IA ◦ 52245
Ph. (319) 338-2094
Fax (319) 339-9133
Email eggzotica@mchsi.com

PRE-BEGINNERS' CLASS

My first live online class is for people who have been thinking about carving,
but don't know how to begin. It's also for people who can't draw, don't think
they have any true talent... I'll prove that you're wrong, guaranteed. Tuition is
a special discount for this first class at $29.95 for the two hours (if we need
that long.) Although this class is over, you can still pay your tuition and watch
a recording of the Class. Once you register, you'll receive an email with
necessary instructions. So click HERE to be taken to the Registration Page.

INTERMEDIATE FILIGREE FOR ALL CARVERS

As I emphasized a number of times in my online “Pre-Beginner’s” classes, filigree
carving represents the basic rock upon which every other type or style of carving relies.
If you cannot master the critical details of filigree, you can continue to progress
through other styles, but unless you are a carving prodigy, the lack of basic skills will
show up in your emu carvings, your relief and reverse relief efforts and anything else
you attempt. Basic filigree, intermediate filigree and advanced filigree teach you - the
carver - how to be precise, how to finely hone your hand/eye coordination, how to
smooth surfaces and edges that you want smooth and how to create truly accurate
corners, points and various other elements. Would you like to be able to do that?

This is, then, a class devoted to honing the skills learned in the Beginner Filigree Class
and moving towards "Positive Filigree" which entails a different type of practice.
These designs have longer, sweeping lines which we will cut and smooth, and as a
bonus, we might take a tiny first look at adding a bit of very basic relief work. Both
this class and the filigree class for beginners are designed to prepare carvers of all
levels of expertise for the third and final installment: Advanced Filigree. Please click
HERE to register for Intermediate Filigree.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!

There is NO UP-FRONT tuition to pay for any classes except the first five!

That's right, just sign up for FREE, enjoy the class and then pay me whatever you think the class was worth to you
personally. That's it... The links below will carry you to all of the classes that we've had so far. So click on the link
representing a carving style you'd like to study, and you will be presented the opportunity to register for that class.
Every Class Page includes links to every other Class Page, as well as a calendar to let you know when the next
LIVE class will be held. Once you click the "Register" button I will take care of the rest! (I would very strongly
suggest that you start with the first classes and then watch the recordings in order because each class builds upon
the class before it.)

ADVANCED EMU SHELL CARVING

This class is going to be a wonderful challenge for us all! Unlike in
the Beginner's Emu Carving Class, where our goal was to
accomplish clean, precise lines, we will now dedicate ourselves to
opposing techniques. That is, we will learn how to blend one color
layer into another, with an outcome that is more like a painting!
Once again, I won't give up until everyone has mastered this
technique.
We will be applying many of the techniques already learned in the
filigree and emu classes, but we will be concentrating on many new
techniques. Perhaps more than ever before, so you won't want to
miss this one! I do hope that you all took my words to heart before
the last emu class when I said to lay in from 3 to 6 emu shells...
And finally, I would suggest that you have on hand a #699 carbide
bur, a #33 1/2 carbide, green and white stones (bullet shaped) and a
large or small diamond football. We'll also need a #1 carbide ball
and if you have other sizes of carbide balls, all the better. So let's
GO! Click HERE!

BEGINNING EMU SHELL CARVING

One of the most exciting classes we'll ever have... if you
aren't addicted to carving eggshells yet, this should do it. :-)
But this is an important class, because you will see the value
of mastering your filigree skills as you carve a Panda on your
emu shell. The pattern offers a myriad of contrasting shades
of color, so we'll utilize them all. Furthermore, this pattern
offers us the opportunity to learn and employ almost every
technique used on emu shells. Sounds to me like something
you shouldn't miss! Click HERE for more info.

ADVANCED FILIGREE

As before, this Class is also for absolutely everyone who carves, or
hopes to carve, eggshells. As I emphasized a number of times in my
first three online classes, filigree carving represents the basic rock
upon which every other type or style of carving relies. If you cannot
master the critical details of filigree, you can continue to progress
through other styles, but unless you are a carving prodigy, the lack of
basic skills will show up in your emu carvings, your relief and
reverse relief efforts and anything else you attempt. Basic filigree,
intermediate filigree and advanced filigree teach you - the carver -
how to be precise, how to finely hone your hand/eye coordination,
how to smooth surfaces and edges that you want smooth and how to
create truly accurate corners, points and various other elements. That
is what you'll be able to do.

This Advanced Class is, of course, a class devoted to applying the
skills learned in the Beginner Filigree Class as well as the
Intermediate Filigree Session to work with special designs which
impress other carvers, let alone your family, friends and the public!
So this Session is the culmination of what we've been working on so
hard, and is the final class of the Filigree Series. Click HERE to be
escorted to the Registration page.

BEGINNING RELIEF CARVING

This is the class that I believe you've all been waiting for: Relief Carving! And we are going to do it up right,
beginning with all of the basic concepts of three-dimensional carving in Part 1, "Basic Relief Carving." In fact, we
will not move on until everyone understands exactly why and how relief carving can produce such depth in even a
thin shell. We'll start, however, with a very simple basket weave which we'll do on an ostrich shell, or even a broken
piece of a shell. Either way, lay in two or three ostrich eggs because we'll also be doing Part 2, "Intermediate Relief
Carving," and Part 3, "Advanced Relief Carving." If everyone seems to be having fun, then I might even consider a
Part 4, "Crazy, Mind-Boggling Ultra-Advanced Relief Carving." I know exactly what we'd do in that 4th Part, but
I'm keeping that to myself for now. <Evil Grin>

The point is, if you want to be able to create beautiful, jaw-dropping relief carving on Ostrich shells (and eventually
on Rhea shells), then this is a series of classes that you will not want to miss. I said the following about my very first
class for pre-beginners, "I absolutely guarantee that no matter how uncreative you feel you are, no matter how
strongly you tell me that you'll never be able to learn how to carve an egg even after a million lessons, that I could
teach you in one lesson." And I proved you wrong, using a wonderful little unicorn pattern, a goose shell and my
pattern transfer method.

So I'm challenging you with yet another guarantee: if you come to the classes and do your homework, you'll be
doing relief carving like a pro when we're done. If not, you will owe nothing. But that's not going to happen because
I have faith in all of you and I have faith in myself, so I can toss around as many guarantees as I want and be
confident that the results will speak for themselves.

Beginning Relief Class will be held May 19th-21st, four sessions at different times to accommodate those around the
world. We will follow up exactly one week later to share homework, solve problems and to make absolutely sure that
we are all ready for Intermediate Relief. Hopefully we'll have several new students who have never been in my live
online classes. And to everyone, I'll remind you how confident I am about our success: there is no up-front tuition!
Just take the class and then pay what you think it was worth to you, personally.

This is just too exciting... Remember, this is the series of classes that you will not want to miss. See you there!

And finally, I would suggest that you have on hand a #699 carbide bur, a #33 1/2 carbide, green and white stones
(bullet shaped) and a large or small diamond football. Tag, you're it, so click HERE!

INTERMEDIATE RELIEF CARVING 1, PARTS 1 & 2

Now that everyone has done such a superb job on understanding the basics of
Relief Carving and have demonstrated their understanding in the Basic Class,
it's time to move up to a bit more complexity. And don't worry, I know how to
make it very easy,for you. We'll quickly review what we did last time and then
I'll show you some new techniques to deal with more involved patterns. I can't
wait We need to get this show on the road so be sure to register HERE! I'll see
you soon...

And remember, these classes are LIVE! You can ask questions in real time via the chat
pod or with headphones and a microphone. I'm telling you right now, the HD resolution
will blow your mind because I don't use a web cam. With my HD video cam I can zoom
in so close that all you can see is the cutting bur itself, crystal clear. Find out for
yourself by signing up for your favorite style of carving right now!

I don't think I've been this excited since I carved my first eggshell over 27 years ago!
Online classes will save you at least $1,000.00 in travel expenses and we'll be able to
learn carving techniques in the comfort of our own homes. You'll only need a computer,
PC or Mac and Adobe Flash 10 or above - you can download Version 10.3 HERE

This is not an ongoing Live Tutorial, unfortunately, but like so many before you, you can sign
up to view a recorded class! Many students have never attended a live class, but they have
kept up with us via the recordings. And once you've paid your tuition or made a donation, you
can watch the recording 24/7 as many times as you like!

BEGINNING FILIGREE FOR ALL CARVERS

This Class is for absolutely everyone who carves, or hopes to carve, eggshells. As I
emphasized a number of times in my online Pre-Beginner classes, filigree carving
represents the basic rock upon which every other type or style of carving relies. If you
cannot master the critical details of filigree, you can continue to progress through
other styles, but unless you are a carving prodigy, the lack of basic skills will show up
in your emu carvings, your relief and reverse relief efforts and anything else you
attempt. Filigree and advanced filigree teach you - the carver - how to be precise, how
to finely hone your hand/eye coordination, how to smooth surfaces and edges that you
want smooth and how to create truly accurate corners, points and various other
elements. Would you like to be able to do that?

With those skills under your belt, you’ll be a sculptor who is confident of your own
work, a sculptor confident enough to take risks, knowing what the rewards can be. In
short, this body of skills will put you well on your way to becoming a Master Eggshell
Sculptor. In short, this skill set will enable you to be one of those carvers who actually
wants to take the time to put the finishing touches to their pieces, transforming them
into miniature masterpieces rather than carved shells that are merely “okay.” Does
that ability sound attractive to you?

What I always find so ironic is the fact that such skills can be acquired in a relatively
short time, with a little practice and guidance, yet the vast majority of carvers skip
right over them. My filigree classes give beginning carvers the opportunity to nail these
skills down early and these classes will solve many of the problems experienced by
both intermediate and advanced eggshell sculptors. This class is so important for every
carver that I’ve even thought of making it a prerequisite for all other classes to follow.
I do require it when students come to my studio to learn, even if they only came to
learn relief carving, I let them know that we won’t continue until they can
demonstrate the skills set forth above. So click HERE and let's get started!

INTERMEDIATE RELIEF CARVING 2, PARTS 1 & 2

In this class, we move forward in two ways. First, we tackle leaves. Yes, you
read that correctly... Leaves. They offer us a perfect opportunity to leave the
fairly simple relief carving behind us so that we can charge into a new set of
techniques. Or perhaps I should say that you already have a good foundation
for relief carving, but we are going to apply your skills in different ways, which
will bridge the gap between Intermediate Relief and Advanced Relief. It should
not be difficult for you. On the contrary, it should be fun and it should give you
a sense of pride in what you've already learned. We'll have two homework
assignments and I've scheduled Part 2 of this class two weeks down the road so
that you will have plenty of time to see what you've learned in the online classes
we started one year ago this month. We should have an anniversary bash! The
other homework assignment will determine whether or not I'm a good teacher.
Yikes! Click HERE and I'll see you soon...

A Folded Oak Leaf

You MUST be signed up at least 24 hours Before any Live Class Session

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INTERMEDIATE RELIEF CARVING 2, PART 3

We had two homework assignments and I scheduled Part 2 of this class two
weeks down the road so that you would have plenty of time to see what you've
learned in the online classes we started one year ago this month. I still think
that we should have a 1st Anniversary bash! Anyway, the second part of your
homework assignment was to draw or pick a pattern appropriate for Relief
Carving and to go at it without my help. This will help determine whether I'm a
passible teacher or not. Yikes! (Or maybe you are all just great students.)
Donations are way down, so my teaching methods might be the cause. Either
way, I know that people have been busy and many had trouble even getting the
leaves done. So, I'm giving all of you an extra week to work on your
independent project, then we will meet at the sessions listed below. Please fill
out the top section, then click on the radio button next to your preferred session
and hit "Register." If I screw up the html coding on THIS one, I'm committing
eggocide. Yikes! Click HERE and I'll see you soon...

???????

We'll just have to wait
and see what you
choose to carve on
your own!

ADVANCED RELIEF CARVING 1, PARTS 1 and 2

In this class, we embrace Advanced Relief. The Intermediate Relief Classes
offered us a perfect opportunity to leave the fairly simple relief carving behind
us so that we could charge into a new set of techniques. Or perhaps I should say
that you already had a good foundation for relief carving, but we applied your
skills in different ways, which should have bridged the gap between
Intermediate Relief and Advanced Relief. Those who participated should have
felt a sense of pride in what you've already learned. Now we've arrived at the
BIG TIME! I hope that Advanced Relief Carving will challenge you a bit, but
certainly not to the point of frustration.

I have to admit that even I am a bit shocked at what I plan to do... For our
Advanced Sessions we are going to carve what has become my "signature
piece" over the past several years: my "Cranes at Dawn." Even if you are a bit
behind in your Relief Carving homework from the Intermediate Sessions, you
are NOT going to want to miss these Advanced Sessions, guaranteed! So get
registered ASAP because the first session begins in only a few days from now. .
Click HERE to register and I'll see you soon...

ADVANCED RELIEF CARVING 1, PART 3

In our last class, we explored the world of rough-cutting our relief carvings, and then we reviewed the techniques
necessary to turn the ugly duckling (or in this case the ugly crane) into a metaphorically beautiful swan. So once
again, it will be time to review the photos you submit of your progress. (Or - hopefully - of your finished egg.)

Click HERE to register!

ADVANCED RELIEF CARVING 2 , PART 1

As with our "Cranes" before, by now you should have roughed in my "Tea
Rose," which presents an entirely different set of finishing techniques because of
the different type of design. It's less "busy," but that fact really makes smoothing
not only more difficult, but also more obvious. So in this class we will explore
more advanced finishing techniques. Our goal is to be able to share and critique
photos of our finished "Cranes" AND our finished "Tea Rose," although I know
this isn't going to happen overnight. These techniques take practice.

Click HERE to register and I'll see you soon...

ADVANCED RELIEF CARVING 2 , PART 2

Once again, we meet to review photos of your work... An invaluable experience in your development.

Finally, we will discuss the last phase of Relief Carving so that we can move on to "Reverse Relief."

Click HERE to register!