PORTRAIT CARVING GETAWAY

Reviews

I went into the class with little carving experience and somewhat more “can I really do this” anxiety (to be honest the anxiety kind of stuck with me the 1st and part of the 2nd day). Alec is really a masterful instructor, he understood where each of us students were mentally (as well as skill level), was adept at keeping us moving forward with our carvings, applying each session’s skill focus (roughing out through to detailing and finishing techniques) and keeping it fun all the while. It was an immersive experience in technique, tool selection and usage, and watching Alec carve live was simply fascinating (I believe this was the most important and effective aspect in my case, it’s just how I am.)! We had a really good mix of personalities too, really great folks, which added a lot to the experience, I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone’s progress and maintaining the camaraderie we established. It was a really great learning experience, I learned so much, had a lot of fun and came away highly motivated to continue my “journey” into carving as well as resurrecting my creative side! Thanks again Alec LaCasse!

Dan Ogren

_______________________________

My experience with Alec and the workshop was great! Alec is a natural born teacher and a humble down to earth guy with incredible talent. He created an atmosphere that made everyone feel as though we were old friends. I highly recommend taking his workshop no matter what your skill level is. You will leave far more proficient than when you arrived.

Scott Lamper

_______________________________

Alec’s master class was everything I hoped for. I was able to work in an intimate setting with other wonderful pupils. We all got the attention we needed from Alec’s hands on approach. Alec is kind, gifted, humble and a born teacher. You WILL learn and enjoy yourself while doing so you’ll come out with a great carving.

Rob Scott

_______________________________

I attended the Carving Class hosted by Alec in February 2024. It was a wonderful experience having such small class size and having the face to face coaching and input from Alec on the carving. He supplied a wonderful piece of bark, all the required tools, snacks and lunch. He and his wife treated the three of us students just like family. I had a great time interacting with the other student carvers as well. We were from all over North America. I cannot over state how much I enjoyed this little weekend retreat into the carving world, and the hands on personal teaching from Alec.

Lorne Penner

_______________________________

I wanted to share my experience with Alec Lacasse’s online school and his in-person workshop. I started carving only a couple years ago. I am a hobbyist. Like most of you, I wanted to get better. I found Fundamentals of Wood Carving online school. I signed up and my carvings got much better. When Alec posted he was doing an in-person class for a few students. I jumped at the chance, and I am so glad I did. We carved most of the time, Alec would come by each one of us, make a couple pencil marks on our carving while giving us instruction and let us do the work. If we weren’t grasping the idea or he wanted to show us a specific way to make the cut. He would show us on our carving, and we would duplicate it on the other side. I learned so much in three days and came away with my best carving ever. It was a blast, besides the carving part. Alec couldn’t have been a more gracious host. He made sure we were well taken care of. His wife made us Chili one day for lunch and his mom made food and snacks also. He really and truly wanted this to be the best experience for us and it was. This is not just for amateurs; one of the guys in our class is a professional carver. Makes his living doing it. His improvement was dramatic. If you want to learn from the best realistic face carver in North America, take his classes, and if he offers an in-person class. Don’t hesitate to sign up. I have a feeling I will take another class from him in the future.

One last thing, if you go to one of his classes. Ask him about the ” Duffy Method”

George Duffy

_______________________________

I have carved for 37 years and taught Jr High for 40 years. I have taken many carving classes and Alec is one of the best instructors I have had! Alec breaks down the steps into small parts and gives instructions on how and why—then everyone goes to their carvings and works on that step. Alec goes around and makes sure everyone is understood. Alec is an excellent instructor and carver I had a great and fun time! I learned about using a V-tool to create wrinkles, a new eye method, beads and braids, overall structure of the face, and using sandpaper to shape carvings. Thanks so much for taking the time and effort to give this class!

Roger Beane

_______________________________

I have been fortunate enough to take the inperson carving lessons with Alec. His teaching style is easy to understand and his approach sent me to the next level in my carving abilities. His encouraging, fun, and easy going instruction made it simple for me to grasp his content. I am a better carver today, have loads of fun, and help others because of my time as his student.

Nate Elarton

_______________________________

If you're lucky enough to have Alec as a carving instructor, mentor, you're lucky enough!!

Jeff Church

_______________________________

My 3rd year of carving. WHAT A JOY TO WATCH ALEC CARVE. But what a great experience to also have him as a wonderful teacher that I could learn from!

Jim Walsh

_______________________________

My dad and I were thrilled to step out of our comfort zones and delve into the craft led by Alec's example. It is really quite remarkable to assess a piece of wood and uncover the hidden potential. Alec makes the challenge so much fun and we found ourselves moving with ease through the process.

Zack Kaiser

_______________________________

I’ve been carving native Americans in cottonwood bark for 25 year and was excited to learn of this “class by Casse”. His style and technique are very interesting. He is an excellent teacher and I learned many new techniques and approaches that (as a self taught carver) would probably have never figured out. I am very have to have taken his class and met this nice young man in the process.

Jeff Lipka

_______________________________

I been a whittling wood for a good while now and never figured a young whipper snapper could teach me much! I stand corrected and testify to the fact that young Mr. LaCasse is talented, and even better, can pass that talent along with his teaching style. I thoroughly endorse learning from this good mannered young man.

Phil Terping

_______________________________

Thank you for the great class you are very talented and I have a better understanding of some of what needs to happen to get a face to be realistic. Enjoyed the class and the company!

Carol Leavy

_______________________________

Great class, lots of fun, very informative, thanks for doing it!

Doug Clancherty

_______________________________

Thanks for the class! Great job! Hope to see you again!

Rick Bissonette