THE WEEKEND BEGINNERS COURSE IN FRENCH POLISHING

INCLUDING A ONE WEEK HOME STUDY SECTION [course 06]

PRINT DATES & FEES BOOK

---

TOTAL COST: £350 INCLUDING 2 DAYS TUITION AT OUR WELL EQUIPPED COURSE VENUE IN CENTRAL EXETER, A SIMPLE LUNCH, TEA & COFFEE EACH DAY, 5 DAY HOME STUDY COURSE SECTION, COURSE MANUAL & ALL MATERIALS. A DEPOSIT OF £150 IS REQUIRED IN ADVANCE TO SECURE YOUR COURSE PLACE.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Two days of the course (Saturday and Sunday) are entirely practical, hands on, and are conducted at Exeter University or in one of the other suitable venues near the centre of the beautiful cathedral city of Exeter within easy reach of the M5 motorway, railway stations and airport.

There is also a 5 day home study part of the course that is designed to prepare you for your course and to provide the opportunity to learn more about the topics we will be covering. If you find you do not have the time to complete it or you are interested in a purely hands on experience, don't worry your course will still be fine, please just complete the parts that interest and inspire you.

A course manual is also included it explains the techniques you will be learning, so nothing will be forgotten when you get home after the course.

This course is for the complete beginner and acts as a basic introduction to our French Polishing system. You will receive plenty of one-to-one tuition from Peter or Josie Thomson and be taken, step by step, carefully, through all the techniques you need to learn to produce a beautiful French Polish finish.

---

THIS IS A LIST OF THE TOPICS WE WILL COVER ON THIS COURSE:

• You will learn the correct solvents to use when removing old perished polish from an original antique surface.

• You will learn about French Polish, its history, how it is made, how to use it safely and how to store it.

• You will learn how to make and use a polishing rubber, the tool used to apply French Polish.

• You will learn how to produce a beautiful French Polish finish using our system.

• You will be shown how to recognise the different woods used in the making of antique furniture and how they change in appearance over time.

• You will learn the importance of original surfaces and how to preserve them.

• We will provide you with a reading list to learn more.

• We will provide you with a list of suppliers of restoring materials.

• You are invited to bring restoration projects you are planning to complete after the course. We will evaluate the pieces originality, age and the woods from which they are made. We will also provide restoration advice for you to carry out after the course. If you are unable to bring the pieces of furniture with you please bring photos or videos instead.

WHERE THIS COURSE IS HELD & ACCOMMODATION

This course will be held at Exeter University or in one of the other suitable venues near the centre of the beautiful cathedral city of Exeter within easy reach of the M5 motorway, railway stations and airport.

THE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE OF THE COURSE TUTORS

Josie Thomson:

She completed her training with distinction 24 years ago, a master craftswoman. She specialises in refinishing and French Polishing techniques. Her ability to render a difficult antique furniture repair invisible is unsurpassed.

Peter Thomson:

He is a 4th generation master craftsman. He completed a traditional training at his family’s antique furniture restoration workshops and then attended West Dean College where he received a B.A.D.A diploma in antique furniture restoration and conservation in 1974.

Our superb training sparked off a great love for antique furniture that culminated in the privilege of being asked to restore some of the finest antique furniture in the world and to teach restoration techniques in the USA and later in the UK. Our previous clients include The National Trust, Sotheby’s, the Jordanian Royal family, museums, private collectors and antique dealers in Britain and America.

---

DATES FOR THIS COURSE

DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED

---

FEES & BOOKING

The course runs on Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm - Lunch - then from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm, with tea breaks at 11.00 am and 4.00 pm.

TOTAL COST: £350 INCLUDING TUITION, A SIMPLE LUNCH, TEA & COFFEE EACH DAY, 5 DAY HOME STUDY COURSE SECTION, COURSE MANUAL & ALL MATERIALS. A DEPOSIT OF £150 IS REQUIRED IN ADVANCE TO SECURE YOUR COURSE PLACE.

BOOK COURSE

If you would like to discuss any aspect of this course please call Josie or Peter Thomson on:
+44(0)1392 432 786 or enquire via our Contact Page.

We provide an attractive Gift Card with an enclosed course voucher that makes one of our courses the perfect birthday or other present.