Pyrography as an art has been there since fire started. Though not certain, it is believed that cavemen etched the wall of their caves with fire sticks. Today, this is done primarily on wood with heated pen. It has gone even further to being done on clay, leather and gourds. To learn and improve your wood burning skills, you will need the following guide.
According to the Art of Manliness, a wood burning pen is the simplest tool for Pyrography. It is a device that well symbolizes a pen with a metal end through which heat transfers. Getting familiar with every tool is the most important thing even before working on any project. To understand the tool, try to test out drawings on wood with various tips.
Get familiar with the tool
A few other pointers to keep in mind: I like to keep a wet paper towel on hand to wipe off the end of the tip every once in a while as residue from the wood builds up. If you’re getting a lot of smoke, the pen is too hot. Try turning down the heat for a smoother, smokeless burn.
You can Google to find patterns and designs of your own interest, and then try to practice drawing them until you understand the Pyrography pen very well.
Most woodwork artists are skilled, therefore they tend to go free hand. If you are new to wood burning though, you shouldn’t go freehand. According to Most Craft, you should trace on a carbon paper. Simply place the paper under a printed design and trace the drawing.
Use Carbon Papers
The material you choose for your project will impact its end result greatly. Woods that are softer and have less grain, such as pine or aspen, are good to start with for a simple and easy burning experience. It’s possible to burn harder wood, but this requires more effort and time for a nice end result. Some artists use pallet wood since it’s typically cheap or free, but if you do this, make sure that the pallets are chemical free and have been sanded down to a smooth surface.
A carbon paper will be your best friend for the next few months because you are new to the game. This will help you have a painless and fun experience burning wood as a beginner. Once you are good to go freehand, you can toss the carbon paper aside.
Your safety is the most important thing to consider. First, put on your safety gear before starting the project. According to Letting Daily, you should have your safety gear on before you start burning wood.
Safety is always first
The first thing I do when I get a new canvas is decide what to burn in it. For these new frames, I like to choose a quote about family or something most people can relate to and would likely go with a picture.
As an artist, always have your gloves and respiratory mask on. You should also have a fan that moves the smoke. If you have one fan next to the burner that will blow away smoke, you will be safe.
Conclusion
By now I know you know that pyrography is an inexpensive art that can help spice up your DIY projects. The only things needed are clean pieces of wood, Pyrography pens, and your imagination.