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    FineWoodworking Webinar

    Webinar: Surface Carving with Michael Cullen

    Replay! Join Michael Cullen for a master class in surface carving and learn how to incorporate pattern and texture in your work.

    Author Headshot By Michael Cullen Jul 15, 2021
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    Join Michael Cullen for this master class in surface carving and learn how to incorporate pattern and texture in your work. Cullen, who has taught handwork around the world, has a deep background in fine furniture but is also widely known for his bandsawn boxes with dynamic carved surfaces. He’ll take you through the crucial steps of designing and executing carved patterns and textures, demonstrating how to carve simple designs as well as more complex ones. And he’ll cover how to sharpen your tools to attain perfectly clean, crisp carvings.

    Beautiful Bandsawn Boxes

    Make Beautiful Bandsawn Boxes with Michael Cullen

    Watch as Michael Cullen shows you how to build his bandsawn boxes that are quick to make, requiring no measuring, no joinery, and almost no planning.

    Turn a Carver’s Mallet

    Shopmade tool is the perfect fit for hand-carved details

    Dress Up your Furniture with Surface Carving

    Walk past a piece of furniture with surface carving, and the light dances on and off the carved surface, creating highlights and shadows that are in motion from every vantage.

    Accentuate Carving with Color

    Accentuate Carving with Color

    Creative use of milk paint gives textured surfaces a new dimension.

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    Comments

    1. hryc111 | Jul 23, 2021 07:33pm | #1

      Fantastic.

    2. User avater
      Jurgen01 | Jul 24, 2021 11:00am | #2

      Excellent webinar. I could listen to Michael Cullen talk about his work for hours on end. A privilege and a pleasure.

    3. DaveFisherPA | Jul 25, 2021 10:03am | #3

      That was wonderful, Michael and Ben! Thanks. Michael is is a great example of the brilliance that comes from combining attentive observation, patient perseverance, and playfulness.

      1. user-7214132 | Jul 25, 2021 07:59pm | #4

        Very nice and informative webinar. Love Michael’s work, unpretentious ethic, great teaching style, and dry humor. “Ok, I’m actually into this carving, Ben. I just need to focus on this.” This looks very incomplete, I apologize.” “No, I’ll finish it up at home.” Though, I do not doubt that he will.

        I’d love to see more, like the way you fielded and filtered questions Ben. Covered a lot of ground in short amount of time, kept it interesting and great video on the fly.

        Have watched it three times now, learned something new each time. Also rewatched the Band Saw Box series. Master Class each one.

        Keep it up.

        1. User avater FWW Editor
          BenStrano | Jul 26, 2021 09:51am | #6

          The carving sits, unfinished, on my bench. I have debated trying to finish it but I know that will just turn it into scrap and not a momento.

    4. MuskokaLayne | Jul 25, 2021 09:09pm | #5

      Fantastic presentation - extremely enjoyable. Michael’s knowledge and method of presenting is wonderful. Lots of laughs and filled with valuable info. And Ben is always awesome too!

    5. User avater
      tom8021 | Jul 26, 2021 06:53pm | #7

      Loved it. I will try some techniques soon

    6. User avater
      SMEAC | Jul 30, 2021 11:06pm | #8

      I really appreciate the deference up front about the quality of the piece/design and it’s independence from its suitability for carving. I’d think that by keeping the thoughts independent upfront grows legs going forward on how the two come together complementarily.
      S/F, Shannon

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