Wood Carving | Adam Williamson

Intensive Woodcarving Week | Adam Williamson

Join us for a special London Craft Week collaboration with Adam Williamson and spend five days learning the essential tools, techniques, and traditions of woodcarving through the Art of Islamic Pattern studio programme in London. This immersive course offers participants the chance to experience the full process of woodcarving, from selecting and preparing the right wood to developing a design and creating an original carved artwork by hand.

Over five days, participants will be introduced to the practical methods behind hand-carved wooden artworks, including the use and sharpening of specialist tools, wood selection, carving techniques, surface finishes, scale, proportion, and design development. With expert guidance throughout, the course will lead participants from initial exercises and maquette-making through to a completed piece carved in Lime wood, inspired by classical decorative motifs from around the world.

Open to all abilities, this course is ideal for those interested in ornament, craftsmanship, traditional decorative arts, sculptural practice, and the material language of wood.

Important Booking Note

A special discounted rate of £45 is available for bookings made through our collaboration using the code YEELONDON at checkout.

Places are limited, and booking is essential.

Date: Monday–Friday, 11–15 May 2026
Time: 10:00 AM–5 PM
Location: Art of Islamic Pattern, Bow Arts Trust, 183 Bow Road, London E3 2SJ

Fee: £450
Fee special discounted rate with code YEELONDON: £405
USE CODE YEELONDON

Capacity: Limited places
Instructor: Adam Williamson
Website: www.adamwilliamson.com

Suitable For: Open to all abilities.

Materials: All equipment and materials are included.

Learning Outcomes

Participants will:

• Learn the essential tools, techniques, and processes of woodcarving over an intensive five-day format
• Understand how to select, prepare, and work with wood suitable for carving
• Learn sharpening techniques for chisels, knives, and specialist carving tools
• Explore a range of carving methods, decorative motifs, and surface approaches
• Develop an original design through scale, proportion, maquette-making, and composition
• Experiment with surface finishes and the final treatment of carved wood
• Complete at least one finished carved artwork in Lime wood to take home

About the Instructor

Adam Williamson is a sculptor, carver, and decorative pattern specialist. He has received commissions from HRH the Prince of Wales, Oxford University, Shakespeare’s Globe London, Kew Gardens, and Westminster Abbey.

He is a leading specialist in biomorphic art, including arabesque and islimi, and is a sessional lecturer at Birkbeck, University of London. He has also lectured at Cambridge University and taught in schools, museums, and major cultural institutions across London, including the British Library, the V&A, the British Museum, and PSTA.

Adam wrote the Islimi chapter for the Thames & Hudson volume Arts and Crafts of the Islamic Lands and recently published the book Profound Patterns. His practice has also been shaped by study and travel with artists and craftsmen in different parts of the world, including Malaysia and Indonesia, where he researched woodcarving and biomorphic art traditions.

Workshop Policies and Guidelines

• The workshop is primarily taught in English, but some terminology may be in Turkish. Your instructor will clarify any terms or concepts as needed during the class.
• For your safety and comfort, we recommend avoiding wearing loose clothing, especially items with large cuffs and neckties, during classes.
• While the Institute strives to maintain a safe learning environment, students are reminded that they are solely responsible for the security of their personal belongings. The Institute assumes no liability for any loss or damage to personal items incurred during course activities.
• The Institute endeavors to maintain a conducive learning environment by ensuring that courses meet a minimum enrollment. If this requirement is not met by the end of the registration period, the Institute reserves the right to cancel the course/ workshop one day prior to its scheduled start. In such cases, any course fees paid by enrolled students will be promptly refunded in full. Refunds will be processed to the student’s designated bank account, unless the course was purchased online, in which case refunds will be issued via PayPal.
• Applicants can withdraw their application without incurring any charges up until the commencement date of the workshop. No refunds will be issued for withdrawals made after the day of the workshop.
• Photography and videos may be taken during classes for archival and promotional purposes. Your participation in the class implies consent for us to use these materials. If you prefer not to be photographed or filmed, please inform your instructor.
• Your feedback is valuable to us. If you have any suggestions or concerns regarding the class structure or content, please feel free to discuss them with your instructor, the administrative staff or the coordinator at londra@yee.org.tr

By enrolling in the course, students acknowledge their understanding and acceptance of the aforementioned terms and conditions.