Takako Jin
July 14-18
In this introductory course, Takako introduces students to the fundamentals of traditional woodcarving techniques. The course begins with foundational exercises that focus on sharpening, handling carving tools, and understanding how to work with wood grain. Students practice making smooth, precise, and flowing cuts to leave work straight from the chisel.
Students first learn to carve elementary designs based on simple incised ornamentation using both flat and curved chisels. Then they progress to carving a simple floral ornament in low relief. Building on these techniques, students design a substantial foliate relief carving project, where they model in clay and carve a leaf of their choice.
Takako Jin is a Japanese-British woodcarver with a background in fine art and violin-making. She has worked as a professional woodcarver, gilder and antiques restorer for just over a decade. She trained in historic ornamental woodcarving at City & Guilds of London Art School, where she is now a regular tutor on the undergraduate course. She also trained and worked for six years at Carvers & Gilders Ltd, a Royal Warrant-holding London workshop specializing in the restoration of 18th-century English giltwood furniture. Takako was awarded the Master Certificate for Woodcarving by The Worshipful Company of Joiners & Ceilers in the UK in March 2025. In 2024, her woodcarving ‘Silk’ was selected as the winner of the British Antique Dealer’s Association annual Art Prize for contemporary makers. She currently works from her south-London workshop, undertaking woodcarving commissions and restorations of antiques and as well as making her own sculptural works. Her website is takakojin.com.
Open to all.
