Online on-demand course
Maker & location details

Learn willow sculpture online! - how to create a willow deer

"I am delighted with the willow deer course I recently purchased. The instructions and attention to detail regarding the legs ears and tail are excellent.” (A. Woodruff – Online student)

“Hi Sara..I have just spent the last 3 days weaving 2 deer, just have the finishing touches to do now, and am very pleased with the results." (A. Woodruff - Online student)

"Sara Holmes is an excellent instructor whose sculpting style creates a solid structure as opposed to a hollow...I highly recommend the Willowtwisters Online School of Willow Sculpture for anyone interested in figurative weaving with willow." (Marcia Mellens, Florida - Online student)

“Finding the training videos really useful and I’m already hooked. I have been looking for a way of satisfying my urge to make sculpture and because I found your website and fantastic training course, my imagination is running wild. I’m so grateful to you" G Keating - Online student

Description

In our flagship online course Sara will teach you how to sculpt a life sized deer from willow rods. In this step by step guide she will steer you through the whole process, from the initial preparation of the willow; building a simple armature and then through all the different weaving techniques and methods needed to follow her unique sculpting style. "Sara Holmes is an excellent instructor whose sculpting style creates a solid structure as opposed to a hollow skin. In each section of the course, she patiently highlights the best way to build form while maintaining balance and density throughout the entire figure. Her class videos allow for reviewing sections while you work, a bonus for the distance learner. Completing my first willow deer was a rewarding experience that built my confidence for taking on my next goal: weaving the human form. I highly recommend the Willowtwisters Online School of Willow Sculpture for anyone interested in figurative weaving with willow." (M Mullens - Online Student) Over the last 20 years Sara has been working with willow teaching thousands of people from far and wide. Not everyone who wants to learn willow sculpture is able to travel to our workshops due to time, distance and financial constraints. This is why we decided to compile all this information into an online course so you can learn at your own pace and from the comfort of your own home.

What's included in the price?

In this course you will be taught in a series of easy to follow video tutorials, clips & slides, online discussions and downloadable workbooks. Learn about: - Tools and equipment - Research, sketching and making the armature (frame) - Preparing and sourcing your materials, types and lengths of willow needed - Weaving a base layer and sculpting the head and legs of your deer - Sculpting the finishing touches and adding detail - After care and how to prolong the life of your newly created masterpiece! This online course is the first of its kind and the beginning of a series of educational online products to be created by Willowtwisters, Sara & Hanna Holmes. Future courses will guide you through beginner & intermediate willow sculpting where you can learn how to make a willow sphere & a life sized willow heron. We then plan to offer some figurative courses.

Duration

Maker

Willowtwisters

with Craft Courses since 2017

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What does this mean?

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This course is taught online

Price:

£151.20

Quantity:

Available on request

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Reviews

All maker's reviews

16 Mar 24'

Liz Milner reviewed: 'Willow deer' sculpture - two day course with Willowtwisters

"Absolutely fantastic couple of days with Sarah, loved every minute of sculpting deer,… great teacher, location, ambience and results. The wonderful lunches and flow of coffee, tea and cake were all an added bonus. Highly recommend this course and already planning to book again. Thank you Sarah for a very enjoyable and memorable couple of days. "

Willowtwisters responded:

"Hi Liz, you are very welcome. Thank you for your great review but also for being such a fun bunch to teach! I've not chuckled so much for a long time! I look forward to seeing you again! Sara"

21 Jan 24'

Dee reviewed: Willow 'sculpture of your choice' - one day workshops with Willowtwisters

"Fantastic day, great teacher, great fun and whilst initially I felt a little overwhelmed, I am thrilled with the result and how reassuring Sara was. Would love to go back "

Willowtwisters responded:

"Thank you so much for your lovely review (and email!) Your dragon is fantastic! Well done. It was lovely to meet you. : ) Sara"

11 Jun 23'

Nicci reviewed: Willow 'sculpture of your choice' - one day workshops with Willowtwisters

"Wonderful day and great venue for the course. I was amazed at what I completed at the end of the day and Sarah made sure that everything was secure and helped when I was a bit baffled. She also moved us along and helped out when needed so we would finish our sculptures before bed time! Lovely lunch too and great company. Have booked again!"

Willowtwisters responded:

"Thank you for your lovely review Nicci. A lovely day in the coolness of the church rooms spent teaching a great bunch of students. Your sculptures were all amazing, Well done! "

22 Jan 23'

Mary reviewed: Willow 'sculpture of your choice' - one day workshops with Willowtwisters

"A really good days course with lots of practical guidance and encouragement. Sara was a patient and friendly teacher and the animals we were creating emerged surprisingly well. I would highly recommend this course. "

Willowtwisters responded:

"You were a great student Mary! Thank you for your lovely review, im glad you enjoyed the day. "

30 Aug 22'

Jane and Karen reviewed: Willow 'sculpture of your choice' - one day workshops with Willowtwisters

"My Sister and I had a fabulous day - thank you. We both came away with a sculpture that you could reconise, which is amazing having not done this before. Sarah gave us the necessary instruction and lots of encouragement. The small group was informal and supportive and lunch was very tasty. Definitely something I would recommend and would like to do again."

Willowtwisters responded:

"Thank you Jane and Karen for you lovely feedback. I'm glad you enjoyed the day. We look forward to seeing you again in the future! "

28 Aug 22'

gail gearing reviewed: Willow 'sculpture of your choice' - one day workshops with Willowtwisters

"I had an amazing day and produced a sitting pig that now sits in pride of place on our decking. I shared a photo and was asked if I had done it as a commissioned piece! Sarah was really informative, patient and encouraging, everyone who attended went home with a finished sculpture of a high standard. Highly recommend "

Willowtwisters responded:

"Thank you Gail for your lovely feedback. It was a pleasure to teach you and well done for working so hard and producing your fabulous, rotund sitting pig! "

28 Aug 22'

SharonB reviewed: Willow 'sculpture of your choice' - one day workshops with Willowtwisters

"Had a brilliant day yesterday with Sara, creating a beautiful willow sculpture. A relaxed workshop and plenty of help and advice during the day. I definitely want to do it again!"

Willowtwisters responded:

"Im so glad you enjoyed the day. I love it when people choose abstract shapes and forms for their sculpture choice. The fluid form you chose worked perfectly because you were very mindful and dextrous with the placement of each rod. Well done, its beautiful."

30 Jul 22'

MRS Caroline Frankson reviewed: Willow 'sculpture of your choice' - one day workshops with Willowtwisters

"My friend and I attended Saras course yesterday. We had such a lovely day with an amazing teacher. We will be going back!! "

19 Jun 22'

Suzanne reviewed: Willow 'sculpture of your choice' - one day workshops with Willowtwisters

"What a great day! I had absolutely no experience but was guided through the process expertly. Help was at hand at all the right times and it was a joy to see my creation and those of the rest of the class slowly take shape. I’m amazed by what everyone managed to create in a day. Thoroughly recommended."

Willowtwisters responded:

"So happy you enjoyed the day! Thank you for a lovely review. Well done for creating a beautiful deer."

18 Jun 22'

Beverley Winn reviewed: Willow 'sculpture of your choice' - one day workshops with Willowtwisters

"Absolutely brilliant day. Sara is a patient and helpful teacher. So happy with the hare I created for my garden. Lunch was yummy too. Will be back!"

Willowtwisters responded:

"Thats very kind of you, thank you Beverley. You did an amazing job, your hare is really beautiful. We look forward to seeing you again."

30 May 22'

COLIN WARK reviewed: Willow 'sculpture of your choice' - one day workshops with Willowtwisters

"Truly enjoyable day Willow Twisting. Leadership and ongoing guidance from Sara Cox was wonderful, as was her level of patience. We both had a fantastic day. Excellent."

Willowtwisters responded:

"Thank you so much for that lovely review. It was a pleasure to meet you both and im so glad you enjoyed the day. Sara Holmes really appreciates it!! and is happy to be confused with the lovely Sara Cox though!!"

29 May 22'

Mel reviewed: Willow 'sculpture of your choice' - one day workshops with Willowtwisters

"Had a very enjoyable day making a hare. Lots to learn, but Sara took us through the various stages and techniques, but more importantly to get a feel for material. The group was a good size for the work involved and was lovely to see everyone's sculptures coming to life. Would definitely recommend."

Willowtwisters responded:

"Thank you Mel, It was a great day and you were a pleasure to teach. Im so glad you appreciated how important getting a 'feel' for the willow is. Your hare is wonderful! Thank you for joining the course. Sara"

30 Mar 22'

Heidi reviewed: Learn willow sculpture online! - how to create a willow deer

"Absolutely love, love, love this on-line course! Fantastic resources, everything you need to create a deer, great community too. I have done some willow sculptures before so have an idea of what it's like to work with willow which I think helps however, working on a much larger scale and over a number of days is very different and the guidance in this course is brilliant. Can definitely recommend!"

Willowtwisters responded:

"Wow! Thank you Heidi, what a lovely review! I'm so glad you enjoyed the course. The online course works really well for a lot of people, as you say, over a number of days and in your own time. Well done and again thank you for taking the time to review, it really helps my little business. We all look forward to seeing your deer in the group, hopefully!"

19 Mar 22'

Amanda Ellison reviewed: Willow 'sculpture of your choice' - one day workshops with Willowtwisters

"A really enjoyable and productive day. Sara is an excellent tutor who explained everything in easy to understand terms. The lunch was delicious, home made, and welcome after an industrious morning. I had no previous experience in willow weaving but my unicorn sculpture was completed on the day and exceeded my expectations of my own abilities. I am delighted with it. Sara gave me the confidence to achieve this. I would thoroughly recommend this course. Thank you so much."

Willowtwisters responded:

"That is very kind of you Amanda, thank you. I'm so glad you enjoyed the day and you have taken away with you, not only some new skills but an amazing unicorn!"

6 Mar 22'

Sam reviewed: 'Willow deer' sculpture - two day course with Willowtwisters

"Had such a great time on this two day workshop. Sara was really patient and attentive with us all and made us feel empowered. She had a great way of explaining the techniques she employs to create beautiful willow sculptures. I was really happy with the way mine turned out (despite a few mishaps that’s Sara kindly and patiently helped me correct!). My mum will love looking out on the deer browsing in her garden! Thanks again."

Willowtwisters responded:

"Hi Sam, thats very kind of you to give me a review! You were a pleasure to teach. I'm so glad you enjoyed the course and your deer is beautiful, your Mum will love it! Sara : )"

9 Oct 21'

Jodie reviewed: 'Willow deer' sculpture - two day course with Willowtwisters

"Just finished my 2 day deer sculpture course. Would thoroughly recommend it to anyone, the techniques and methods you learn on this course are brilliant, the deer looks so life like. Sarah is a great teacher and supported us well, and kept us well topped up with tea and lovely home cooked lunches."

Willowtwisters responded:

"It was a pleasure to teach you for the last two days Jodie. You worked so hard on your deer and the result speaks for itself, a truly beautiful deer."