This training program combines theory, practical application, and experimentation to enable participants to acquire comprehensive skills, blending traditional techniques with contemporary creativity in wood carving. Each stage is designed to foster confidence, technical proficiency, and artistic sensibility, while emphasizing manual dexterity and an appreciation for the material itself.

Upon completion of the training, participants will be able to:

• Recognize basic techniques and the correct use of various hand tools
• Understand ergonomic postures for working safely in a workshop and safety guidelines related to sharp tools
• Visualize and work with three-dimensional shapes in wood
• Understand the different stages of creating a wood sculpture
• Learn the basics of sharpening their tools

This workshop invites participants to delve into the art of wood carving, exploring both traditional techniques and a contemporary, creative approach. They will learn to handle tools with confidence, from roughing out the basic shapes to adding the finest details, creating harmonious and dynamic forms.

Each stage is designed to foster confidence: learning about different wood textures, sharpening tools, and applying finishing techniques that enhance the material (staining, burning, brushing). This comprehensive course reveals the full richness and natural beauty of wood, while also encouraging the development of a personal artistic style.

By the end of the workshop, participants will have acquired the essential skills to design and create their own wood sculptures, combining technical mastery with creative flair. This workshop is open to anyone who wishes to enhance their skills and discover the magic of working with wood.

Day 1

Morning

• Welcome to the workshop and introductions to learn about participants' backgrounds and expectations
• Presentation of the essential tools for wood carving, with a practical demonstration
• Theoretical introduction to the fundamental concepts of sculpture: forms, volumes, lines, and balance

Afternoon

• First practical exercise: getting familiar with using a chisel on test pieces of wood to learn the movements, pressure, and control

Day 2

Morning

• Detailed presentation of the sculpture to be created during the workshop
• Start of the roughing-in process: shaping the main volumes to define the basic form

Afternoon

• Continue and complete the roughing-in process
• Gradually refine the curves to give life to the overall shape

Day 3

Morning

• Start of the detailed carving: precise work on details and the refinement of forms
• Create and enhance curved lines, adding movement and harmony to the piece

Afternoon

• Refine the sculpture, paying attention to transitions and subtle volumes
• Presentation of different textures and possible finishes
• Experiment with textures on test pieces to master the effects

Day 4

Morning

• Introduction to sharpening tools: techniques for optimal and safe sharpness
• Create textures on test pieces to further improve tool control and effects

Afternoon

• Apply the chosen textures to the sculpture in progress, respecting the artistic expression of each form

Day 5

Morning

• Continue and perfect the texture on the sculpture
• Make final adjustments and add finishing touches to harmonize the piece

Afternoon

• Finishing touches: applying stains, burning, and brushing...
• Reveal the nuances, depth, and natural beauty of the wood
• Training evaluation, personalized feedback, and advice on how to continue practicing independently
• Workshop cleanup

Maxime Perrolle

Maxime Perrolle has always had a fascination for plant life, and particularly for trees, true witnesses to time and nature. This passion naturally led him to work with wood, a living material which he shapes with exceptional skill.
After training in cabinetmaking and then in artistic woodturning at the Escoulen School, a world leader in this field, he opened his first workshop in Ivry-sur-Seine before joining the prestigious JAD (Jardins des Métiers d'Art et du Design) in Sèvres in 2022. There, he develops his contemporary creations, blending ancestral traditions with modern daring.

Through techniques such as turning, carving, pyrography, and the application of delicate natural finishes, Maxime shapes wood with a precision and sensitivity that transcends the material itself. His works, often of medium to large size, evoke both the fragility and the strength of trees, playing with light, texture, and form, drawing inspiration from nature and the refinement of Japanese ceramics.

Recognized with prestigious awards (Young Craftsman of the Year Award in 2019, Rémy Cointreau Foundation Award in 2023) and exhibited at major international fairs such as the Révélations Biennale at the Grand Palais and Milan Design Week, he is considered one of the most promising talents in contemporary artistic woodturning. His pieces appeal to both galleries and leading luxury brands, such as Cartier.

Beyond his own creative work, Maxime is passionately committed to passing on his knowledge, convinced that the true richness of the craft lies in sharing and continuity.
By sculpting each piece, he pays homage to the tree, giving it a second life where tradition and innovation coexist in a subtle and poetic balance.

• Classroom, multipurpose room, workshops with professional equipment
• Materials provided
• Individual and collaborative work
• Hands-on workshop activities
• Active participation and experimentation by participants are encouraged

• Group and individual progress monitoring, with regular updates
• Self-assessment of technical skills acquired
• Group feedback session
• Attendance sheet for each half-day session
• Certificate of completion issued by Campus MaNa