Stewart Furini
Airbrushing Classes
£180 per person | Friday 19th March and Saturday 12th June 2027 | Maximum 5 students
Spend a full day learning how to use an airbrush to add colour and decorative effects to a wide-rimmed shallow bowl, which you’ll turn during the day. The morning starts with covering important health and safety information before learning the basic airbrush strokes, controls and simple maintenance. Following this, you’ll learn how to use airbrushes with stencils, templates and masking to create a wide variety of decorative patterns and effects. Complex and intricate designs can be built up very simply with these techniques. Don’t get too attached to your morning designs though, as they will be on the back of blank that you’ll be turning off frequently.
Over lunch, you’ll be able to mull over your design ideas for the afternoon project when you’ll first shape the back of your blank and then prepare the rim for decoration. Once your design is complete, we’ll cover how to finish your project with sealer and lacquer, before hollowing out the centre.
Who is this Class for?
Anyone curious and excited about adding decoration and embellishment to their woodturning.
Would-be airbrush users who would like to try airbrushing first before buying their own equipment.
Woodturners who think, ‘I’m not artistic’: let me prove you wrong!
You will have some turning experience and be able to turn a simple shallow bowl with minimal support.
This is not a beginners class.
Your Tutor - Stewart Furini RPT
Stewart has been teaching woodturning and decorative techniques for nearly 10 years, as well as demonstrating regularly at woodturning clubs and events in the UK, Europe and USA.
A thirty year career as a school teacher in a comprehensive school has proved to have many transferable skills to teaching woodturning, including not just patience, but also gentle encouragement, cajoling and confidence building.
Perhaps most importantly, the expectation is that it is Stewart’s responsibility for you to enjoy the course and learn new things – he’ll love it if you find yourself asking a question that starts with, ‘What if…’ as that is what the day is about: a playful, exploratory foray for your imagination and creativity.
What's Included?
All airbrushing equipment, stains, paints, finishes, and consumables are provided, along with a blank to practise on and then use to make your finished piece. Turning tools are provided, but feel free to bring your own. Face shields, gloves and masks are provided, but if you have your own mask rated for use with vapours, you may wish to bring this with you as well. Smocks are available, but bring your own if you prefer or wear clothing that you don’t mind getting a bit dusty, and that won’t be ruined by the odd drop or two of paint! No open-toed footwear.
Tools Used
Bowl Gouge - Parting Tool - Skew or Recess Cutting Tool -
- Airbrushes - Inertia Sanders - Stains - Sealer - Lacquer-
What You'll Learn
By the end of the day you will have a good understanding of the mechanics of an airbrush, how to dismantle it for cleaning, and how to clean between colour changes.
You will be able to airbrush a wide range of patterns, including geometric designs, three dimensional effects, and colour changing gradients. You will have an understanding of masking and its possibilities for developing more complex patterns. And perhaps that little voice that might have said you’re not artistic will have been put in its place!
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).
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
12.30pm: Lunch at the Coffeeshop (included)
1.00pm: Workshop continues
2.30pm: Coffee break
4pm: Finish and tidy.
Included: All timber, tools, consumables, safety equipment, lunch, refreshments, your pen and platter 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 date for £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.