caricature class

Big_Al · #1 03-03-2005, 09:20 AM

Just took a class with Floyd Rhatigan for two days. If you have an opportunity to take a class with him, it would be worth your while. He brings dozens of cutouts, and photos of them, with a pattern and you can choose which one you would like to carve. He can teach all levels and does a paint demo also. He is from Michigan and he will travel ( he drove 610 miles to our location in Pa.) Big Al

Anthony Filetti · #2 03-03-2005, 12:22 PM

...wish I had known he was there!! Al, how are classes typically run when everyone might be working on a different roughtout?

Big_Al · #3 03-03-2005, 05:27 PM

Phil runs a class much the way I do. He takes 10 students and each can choose one of his blanks or his own. He sets a small alarm clock for 5 minutes and the student comes to him - he stays put. When you have a class of 10 doing the same thing, some expect you to do all the carving on thier piece, others go ahead of you, therefore making a mistake that can't be fixed (frustrating) etc. Last night I had a class and we were doing a mouth and 50% of the class wanted me to carve the mouth on thier piece! Talk about draging a class out. We have a large club -250 members and a solid treasury. We invite pros ( next month Pete LeClair) and we book a year in advance. Classes are on Saturday and Sunday in a high school lunch room. If we have a good year at our annual show we subsidize part of the cost. It is for members only. ( we have a lady join and got subsidized for a class and got two years dues back!) This year we are having our 29th annual show, and we usually book about 80 tables. Big Al

Big_Al · #4 03-03-2005, 05:29 PM

P.S. Floyd Ratgan's web site is: www.fantasycarving.com
Big Al

Mitchell · #5 03-03-2005, 09:17 PM

Floyd Rhadigan.

I really like his style and would like to take a class with him. My favorite carving at the CCA event this past year was his

Cat carving of a cat with a guitar sitting on an amp.

Anthony Filetti · #6 03-04-2005, 07:56 AM

...thanks for the info Big Al...I would think having the instructor carve for me would defeat the learning effort. I would rather they explain what the next step is and let me try and get there. Once you have mastered the different cut types (stop, scissor, 3 cut chip, etc.) they really can't teach me a new cut, what I would like know is how they achieve there special style... I'm debating between a class with Marv or Phil & Viki bot of whom have different styles, each having its own merit.
Either way I applaud you Al for taking the time to teach. It takes alot of patience.
Mitchell, have to agree with you about his carving, I imagine it looked better in person than the pictures I saw.

Big_Al · #7 03-05-2005, 09:11 PM

I would love to take a class with Marv, byt something always comes up & I can't make it. I think he is the best. Big Al

Anthony Filetti · #8 03-09-2005, 03:40 PM

Big AL,

Turns out that after Bob D. posted the information about the Folk School I found out that Gary Falin will be teaching a class there and signed up there instead. The price was right and included lodging and food (@ $700).
Going to see Marv was more expensive and I'm on a waiting list to see if I get to take a class from Phil & Vicki.
Either way the Folk school atmosphere looks just right, relaxed and focused.
Just the way I like to learn. For those interested there were still several openings for Gary's class.

http:\\www.folkschool.com