Colour and lacquer Masterclass
Producing a Gallery Standard Finish
£229 per person | Mainly Saturdays | Maximum 5 students
A full day taking a piece of 3” sycamore or maple from its blank to a piece with a gallery-standard finish. You'll turn it, learn Martin’s colouring and lacquer-finishing techniques, and then polish the piece faultlessly. And then, when we’re done, take the piece, sprays, respirator and abrasives home to do it again in your own workshop.
The morning is at the lathe, turning a large spindle and maybe hollowing it (depending how you get on). You'll then choose your own dye from the eleven different shades in Martin’s Intrinsic Colour Collection, and if the morning goes to plan, your piece will be sealed before lunch.
The afternoon is devoted to learning lacquering techniques to produce a gallery-quality finish.
As the lacquer dries, we have time to talk about troubleshooting common problems and discuss design and proportions.
A 3M Vapour Respirator and Spray Finishes to take home
Also take home the True Grit abrasive pastes you used on the class.
Who Is This Class For?
Turners who want to work in colour. If you've used dyes and watched the finish lift or blotch over the top, the answer is in the order you do things.
Turners who want to improve their finishing. You've turned something you're pleased with, put a finish on it, and want to do better next time.
Anyone who wants to spray at home. You'll leave knowing how to get good results safely in an ordinary workshop, with the sprays and the respirator to get you started.
This class asks for turning experience. You should be comfortable at the lathe on your own and familiar with basic spindle work.
Your Tutor - Martin Saban-Smith RPT
Martin has been teaching woodturning since 2018, bringing a photographer's eye for proportion and form to the lathe. He teaches patiently, leaves room for questions, and treats mistakes as part of learning rather than a failure of it.
What You'll Learn
You'll learn the order things happen in, which is where most colouring and finishing goes wrong. Dye on bare wood, then sealer over the top before you cut back and start building. You'll see how the same colour behaves differently on end grain and side grain.
You'll also learn what spraying asks of you. Distance, speed, overlap, and the patience to stop before you've put too much on.
What's Included
Everything for the day: timber, tools, dyes, abrasives, safety equipment, lunch, refreshments, and your finished piece. You'll also take home your finishing kit:
One can of sanding sealer spray
One can of satin lacquer spray
Two pots of True Grit abrasive paste
One 3M 4251+ half mask respirator
That is the whole process, ready to use on the next thing you turn. Just bring yourself and clothes you don't mind getting dusty.
Tools Used
-Spindle Roughing Gouge - 3/8" Spindle/Bowl Gouge - Diamond Parting Tool - Hollowing tools -
- Abrasives through the grits - Intrinsic Colour Collection wood dyes - Spray sanding sealer -
- Spray Satin lacquer - True Grit Abrasive Pastes -
We strongly recommend you bring your own freshly sharpened tools.
What To Expect On the Day of Your Lesson at The Woodturning School
If you have queries, please check the FAQs
Book Your Place
Booking your place is simple. The calendar shows the next available date (up to 9 months in advance).
2026: Saturday 10th October, Friday 4th December.
2027: 9th January, 3rd April, 24th July, 30th October.
Click the date, then click the time. Then fill in some details and pay the deposit. We’ll look after the rest for you.
The day
9am: Meet at the Garden Centre Coffeeshop
9.30am: Workshop begins
12.00pm: Lunch at the Coffeeshop (included)
12.30pm: Cutting back and the first lacquer coats
2.00pm: Coffee break (if time permits)
2.15pm: Building the finish and polishing
4pm: Finish and tidy.
Included: All timber, tools, dyes, consumables, safety equipment, lunch, refreshments, your finished piece, and your kit to take home.
Payments
A deposit of 30% is required to secure your booking. This deposit is non-refundable in the event of cancellation by the client. It covers buying materials and advertising your space in the event of cancellation. Amendments can be made up to 14 days before the date for a £10 admin fee. Cancelling within 14 days will forfeit all monies paid. Click HERE for full terms and conditions.
Queries?
Before contacting us, please take a moment to check our FAQs. You'll often find the answer you're looking for is already there.