The Pyrographer by Ghavuri

The

pyrographer

The NEW Guide to Woodburning

Stencils Inside!

12 EASY PROJECT IDEAS CAN I BURN

That?

TOP TOOLS

All Beginners Need

LEARN

TO BURN November 2017 | $9.99

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Editor's Note

Welcome to our first issue of The Pyrographer! Since you picked up this magazine, I think it's safe to assume you either have an interest in this ancient art or you are already a fellow pyrographer! If you are a newbie woodburner, this month is perfect for you as we mostly focus on how to get you started, what tools to get, what woods to burn, some inspirational ideas and even a few stencils if you've got an artist's block! Happy Woodburning! Editor in Chief Ghavuri Kumar

CONTENT

ISSUE 01

History of Pyrography

Four Best Woods for Burning

Top Five Pyrography Tools

Adding Color to Pyrography

FREE Stencils!

Wood Burn Your Pumpkins This Halloween

12 Easy Projects to Get You Started

Health Risks in Pyrography

What Items You Can & Cannot Burn

Learn to Burn: A Step-by-Step Guide

The Pyrographer | November 2017

HISTORY OF

PYROGRAPHY The Ancient Art of Woodburning by Jeni Sandberg

racticed for centuries all over the world, log and advertisements in ladies’ magazines. veau style. Generally characterized by flowpyrography- the art of burning designs These kits generally included tools, wood ing, sinuous lines and natural motifs, pyroginto wood- enjoyed a surge in popularity blanks and patterns, though designs could be raphy from this period was often decorated during the late 19th century, particularly in the taken from magazines, prints or the creator’s with flowers such as poppies and poinsettias, United States and Australia. Pyrography liter- own imagination. Reused scraps of wood from leaves, vines, fruit and beautiful women as ally means “fire writing,” an apt depicted by Charles Dana Gibname for the branding process. son and Alphonse Mucha. Sometimes called pokerwork, Small, manageable pyrogthis technique had a broad apraphy projects were common, peal and is still practiced today. with glove and handkerchief Practiced for centuries all boxes, frames and wall plaques over the world, pyrographyseen most frequently today. the art of burning designs More ambitious projects were into wood- enjoyed a surge in executed as well, including popularity during the late 19th large-scale furniture — hangcentury, particularly in the ing cabinets, wardrobes, chairs United States and Australia. and tip-top tables were all Pyrography literally means “fire burned with intricate designs. writing,” an apt name for the Pyrography grew so popular branding process. Sometimes in the years around 1900 that called pokerwork, this techthe Flemish Art Co. of Brooknique had a broad appeal and is lyn began producing it comstill practiced today. mercially, and “Flemish Art” Artists such as Robert Ball From Fancy Work For Pleasure and Profit (Addie E. Heron, first published in 1894), Library of became almost synonymous Hughes and J. William Fosdick Congress. with the burned decoration. gained some acclaim for their The company manufactured pyrographic works during the second half crates and cigar boxes were sometimes used finished pyrographic works that were mainly of the 19th century, but the greater part of for small works. handmade (often by their female employees), work in this medium was done by women in Wood burning was also featured in Fancy as well as kits with wood blanks and tools. the home. Books and magazines of the time Work For Pleasure and Profit (Addie E. Heron, Some commercial pieces were also made by urged women to beautify their homes through first published in 1894), which encouraged pressing a heated, engraved metal plate into handiwork- china painting, embroidery, bead- women to create decorative works for their wood — these often have more intricate dework and many other crafts. Pyrography was own homes, as well as making work for sale signs, but lack the subtle variety of hand work. just one of Three Hundred Things a Bright Girl to earn additional income for their family. PyPyrography is still a popular means of decCan Do (by Lilla Elizabeth Kelley, 1903), which rography required relatively few tools and was orating wood today, one that many Etsy artists delineated the many projects that could be called “a delightful and profitable pastime for use. Aided by electrically heated tools, artists undertaken at home. explore numerous and diverse styles in their long winter evenings.” Pyrography kits were sold through various Unsurprisingly, many of the pieces created work. mail-order sources including the Sears cata- in the years around 1900 were in the Art Nouhttps://blog.etsy.com/en/history-pyrography/ 2

The Pyrographer | November 2017

BEST WOODS FOr BURNING by Pyrocrafters

Basswood

Poplar

Pine

Palette

Basswood is a great wood burning wood. It’s very soft and easy to burn, there are practically no grains. It’s a solid surface of soft burning wood and it’s beautiful. It’s so clean and light, so you can burn in wonderfully light or dark details making it one of the best woods to burn. My only gripe with basswood are the size options. I’ve only been able to find basswood in precut plaque sizes or circular sizes with the live edge in hobby stores or online. You can find the planks online, however they are pricey and why buy higher priced planks of basswood when poplar is less expensive and already in the local store? I do use the basswood plaques because they are easier than gluing up, sanding and cutting the poplar. I usually keep a few of these plaques on hand for quick turn around.

Poplar is an absolute favorite and the best wood for wood burning for three reasons: 1. easy to burn, 2. very accessible, 3. customize any size. We use poplar for most of our project. Poplar is readily available at the big box hardware stores at varying sizes and Clay is able to make any size canvas or frame that we need for a customer. The grains are consistently soft throughout the boards which makes an ideal wood burning surface. I’m able to burn in fine details with ease. I should add that it accepts stain evenly and holds true to the stain color. If you are new to wood burning, go buy a smaller board and use it to practice. Poplar is my top recommendation.

Pine is a common wood in wood burning. It’s inexpensive and you can find nice and neat pieces at hobby stores cutout into shapes, plaques and designs. Yellow Pine Yellow pine is hard for me to burn because the grains are so different. The lighter grain is very soft while the darker grain is hard to burn. So when I’m burning a portrait it’s difficult to get a detailed or consistent pattern. Pine is better for letters or signs that will be burnt solid and not shaded. Yellow pine is my least favorite not one of the best woods for wood burning. It makes a lower quality burn and finished product. White pine White pine is better to burn. I’ve used white pine several times and it has a cleaner smoother burn. It’s soft and the wood gives into the tips very well.

Wood burning on pallet wood is something to be very careful with. It’s impossible to know where it’s been. It may be chemically treated wood or it may have been used to transport chemicals. Those chemicals could have leaked onto the wood making it unsafe to burn and breathe. I have burned pallet wood before, but I use many safety precautions when doing so. First- Use a face mask when burning repurposed wood of any kind. Not the flimsy small paper masks either. Use the masks with the filters and a good one. Second- A fan should be used when wood burning any type of wood. It isn’t safe for someone to breathe in smoke especially if you are going to be burning for hours. Place it very close to your burning area and it sucks the smoke right in and away from your face. Third – burn in a well ventilated area. The airflow should keep the room clear and keeps you from sitting in a smoke filled room for hours on end.

^^ https://vivarailings.com/wp-content/ uploads/2017/01/pine-wood-finish.jpg http://www.wood-database.com/basswood/ http://www.pyrocrafters.com/best-woods-forwood-burning/

The Pyrographer | November 2017

https://www.aicmillworks.com/poplar-woodmaterial-sample-unfinished

http://www.sustainablelumberco. com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/ ComcastPalette_02052014_006.jpg >>

TOP FIVE TOOLS

Razertip Single Burner with Pen

Wall Lenk L101 KB 10-in-1 Tool Kit

The heat tip on this wood burning pen adjusts very quickly to your needs, meaning you can work fast without having to wait. The Razertip Single Burner with Pen also comes with very fine tips for more detailed work if you’re an advanced artist. Adjust the heat as you go for different tones in your shading. Burns fast but without skimping on quality, lines are great plus, it feels good on the hand, nice ergonomic design for extended use.

The Wall Lenk L101KB Woodworker-foots 10-in-1 Tool Kit is suitable for beginners and pros alike. The pieces are self explanatory, meaning you can get started with your projects without needing to do a lot of research or consult a professional to teach you. With this particular model, it’s important to wait until the unit has cooled down before you replace tips, or you risk stripping the threads that hold them in place.

$$$$

There are plenty of wood burning options out there, these are our favorites. by MostCraft

ood burning is something you may have learned how to do in shop class. My grandfather taught me, and it’s something I still love to do. You can do it free hand for artistic purposes, or create wooden signs for more practical purposes. Use stencils or your imagination. There are countless products out there, many of which come with a variety of functions, and it’s hard to know what to look for, especially for a beginner. For those just getting started, or others who’ve burned wood in the past but want to jump back in, we’ve rounded up the best wood burning tools and professional pyrography pens on the market today. What to Look for in Pyrography Tools

Quick Heating: You don’t want to be sitting around waiting forever for your tool to heat up, especially if you invited some friends over to partake in the activity with you. Get a tool that warms up fast. Adjustable Tips: Ideally you will have a wood burner that has tips you can change to keep your pursuits interesting. You’ll want something that offers both thicker lines as well as fine ones. Variable Temperature: Though some wood burners that only stay at one heat may get the job done, it’s better to be able to control it yourself.

The Pyrographer | November 2017

Dremel 2000-01 Versa Tip Precision Butane Soldering Torch

Walnut Hollow Creative Versa Tool

Walnut Hollow Creative Woodburner Introduction Value Pen

If you are looking for a tool that is great for wood burning, but is not a one trick pony, the Dremel 2000-01 Versa Tip Precision Butane Soldering Torch is one to consider. You can use it to solder wires, cut rope, and more. It starts up easy, heats up quickly, and has 14 different pieces to choose from. You also won’t have to wait long for it to cool down after use. Some people have even been able to repair their electronics with this tool, instead of hiring an expensive technician to do it for them.

This tool is good for beginners or professionals, and offers a wide variety of tips. The Walnut Hollow Creative Versa Tool with Versa-Temp Variable Temperature Control can be used for fine lines or wider ones. It doesn’t only work for wood, but can also be used for soldering, or for stamping. It takes a few minutes to heat up, but it’s faster than many models and adjusts quickly once you get it going. The tips are durable as well and won’t break as long as you’re careful.

If you have kids who are interested in getting into this hobby, the Walnut Hollow Creative Woodburner Introduction Value Pen is a great product for them to start out with, under your adult supervision of course. It works and writes just like a standard ink pen but a bit thicker, and burns very quickly and easily into softer types of wood. This pen can be used for wood work as well as leather, but make sure that if you’re using it for long periods of time, you use gloves just to prevent unhappy accidents.

$$$

$ https://www.mostcraft.com/5-best-wood-burning-tools/

The Pyrographer | November 2017

Adding Color to Pyrography by Ghavuri Kumar

yrography is traditionlly a monochromatic art, but what's art if you don't break a few rules! While most pyrographers layer usually rely on the many shades of brown they are able to achive while burning to create depth, shading, highlights, and details, it is possible to add color. Always remember to finish your project by applying two to three light coats of acrylic or polyurethane spray sealer, allowing each coat to dry thoroughly. There are a number of mediums you can use to add color to your work.

Pencils

Snail Pile 03: pyrography, colored pencil & pastel on wood panel

Paints

Oils, acrylics and watercolors are also a great option to add color. They are messier than pencils, but they can look beautiful once finished. Also, if you do light wash using paint, the grain of the wood will show through and that create a beautiful look as well!

Inks

Using either acrylic or water based inks is another medium that can be used. The colors a much more vibrant than using colored pencils.

http://fayhelfer.com/

You can use oils, watercolor, clay-based (they can be very dry, but they are great for details,

and they blend easier), and pastels. Keep in mind, while they are all blendable, some blend better than others.

Datura: pyrography, natural pigment and pastel on wood (cochineal, hibiscus, indigo, malachite, turmeric, zinc)

The Pyrographer | November 2017

https://parizadhe.deviantart.com/art/Victorian-Garden-Fairy-315556762

Victorian Garden Fairy: pyrography, acyrlic on wood

The Pyrographer | November 2017

to get you started!

http://pinterest.com

FREE Stencils

The Pyrographer | November 2017

http://pinterest.com

Great for beginners!

http://pinterest.com

Great for Intermediates

The Pyrographer | November 2017

http://pinterest.com

Like Realism? Try this!

The Pyrographer | November 2017

Wood Burned

Pumpkins Because carving was so last year by FP Jana

Draw your design using a pencil. It'll make it easier when it's time to burn.

:https://blog.freepeople.com/2014/10/henna-wood-burnedpumpkins/

Pick out your pumpkins!

:https://blog.freepeople.com/2014/10/henna-wood-burnedpumpkins/

The Pyrographer | November 2017

:https://blog.freepeople.com/2014/10/henna-wood-burnedpumpkins/

3 Be sure to clean the tip of the tool inbetween to reduce build up. Burn! Burn! Burn!

:https://blog.freepeople.com/2014/10/henna-wood-burnedpumpkins/

Wooden Kitchen Set

Do you know someone who loves the outdoors or tends to dress in natural or nature-inspired tones? Then woodburned buttons are a great gift idea.

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/eb/b7/7b/ ebb77b3ad9a3e0aeada711f5665eb8b7.jpg

www.mydomaine.com/etched-wooden-spoons/

Frame

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ra3S23Dpb9g/Ue4R572vXnI/ AAAAAAAAeog/T6YZ-vwwkR4/s1600/Picture+1.jpg

These are an especially nice addition to knitted or flannel clothing. You can do simple dotted designs or someA wooden kitchen set, complete with thing more elaborate according to spoons and a spatula, can be a great your personal taste. Framed photos are a classic gift idea, gift choice. Make this practical gift and making etched designs around even better by personalizing it with the frame makes it even better. The some added designs! best part of this project is how personalized you can make it. You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to be an artistic genius to make something nice; simple patterns will look great! And if you do not want to use them after all that hard work, just hang them on your kitchen wall as decorations instead!

For example, if you are framing a photo of a fishing trip, you can etch relevant designs, like swimming fish and hooks, around the photo. For a framed picture of your kid's baseball game, make little pictures of baseballs and baseball hats along the edge.

Buttons

The Pyrographer | November 2017

12 Easy Projects Ghavuri Kumar

Have some old coat hangers made of wood in your closet? You can spruce them up by adding some woodburned designs. Make flowers, mandala patterns, or simply etch the days of the week onto your hangers so you can plan ahead with the shirts youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll wear A hand crafted ornament is a perfect to work and have an easier time getgift for friends or even just for your- ting ready in the morning. self! And the options are endless, you can customize them with their family's names! http://assets2.darbysmart.com/project_photos/ photos/000/002/167/medium/Wood-Burned-HangersLifestyle.jpg?1432919395

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/aa/42/53/ aa4253527a1ce2cffdb963dff1221f11.jpg

If you know someone who loves to cook, this is the perfect chance to give them something theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re sure to use, with that added personalization. Abstract designs or nature-inspired themes (like leaves and vines) look great on cutting boards.

Ornaments www.livbit.com/article/2012/12/05/tree-branch-christmasornaments-for-the-eco-conscious-minds/

This is another creative and practical idea. These make a great house warming gift, or if you love it too much to give it away, then you've got something nice to add to your kitchen!

Go ahead and burn your own ornament this year to add a special touch to Christmas!

Cutting Board Hangers

The Pyrographer | November 2017

12 Easy Projects Bookmarks

www.craftshackchronicles.com/craft-stickbookmarks/

Switchplate The classic keychain! This is another great project to try your woodburning skills on! www.motherspoon.com

You can find wooden circles like the one below, or even many other shapes at your local craft store. Just remember to drill a hole somewhere to loop This is a super easy one! All you'll need your key ring through. are a few popsicle sticks, your woodBring a rustic element into your burning tool and your imagination! home with this beautiful woodburned switchplate. Make personalized bookmarks for www.diynetwork.com/made-and-remade/make-it/3simple-diy-keychain-ideas

yourself and others. This project is a great way to practice your woodburning skills since even if you mess up, it's an inexpensive mistake!

Depending on what design you choose to do, it might become more advanced, so be sure to plan and trace out your design before starting the burning process to avoid any mistakes.

Keychain

The Pyrographer | November 2017

http://hative.com/cool-wood-burning-carvingproject-ideas/

The possiblites are endless with this one! Change up the saying to match the season, or add your family name to it, maybe even add some bright colored flowers as decoration when spring rolls around!

Wreath

The Pyrographer | November 2017

Don't throw away all those wine corksmake them into cute little magnets instead! This is another creative idea that's cute, useful, and allows you to repurpose something you would have probBored by those IKEA cork trivets? Well, ably thrown away. not anymore! Add some mandalas or some punny dining related quotes and bring some fun to your dining table! Be sure to set your woodburn to a lower temptature than you would use for wood, as cork burns quicker.

https://matome.naver.jp/odai/2133634695810597701/ 2141539733010023203

This is a perfect one for the holidays! Show off your pyrography skills to all your neighbors without saying a word!

www.wherethesmileshavebeen.com/diy-burned-ikeacork-trivets/

Cork Trivets

Wine Cork Magnets

Health Risks in

Pyrography & how to protect yourself

Woodburning or pyrography is done on a variety of surfaces in addition to wood, but the material you choose is very important. Some surfaces can be toxic when burned and can cause serious harm. One of the best woods, especially for beginners, to burn is basswood. It is soft and has very little grain. Birch & Italian poplar plywood are other nice woods and wonderful for framing your work when its complete. Even with these being relatively safe you need to take precautions not to burn through layers of plywood into the glue. There are many other woods that are good, but be sure that you determine which ones are safe and which are not before you start burning on it.

Wood Toxicity

Burning on some woods can be potentially dangerous to your health. Some symptoms may show up immediately others might take years for you or those around you to develop serious health problems as a result of working on dangerous materials. While many woods are considered safe to burn there is always the possibility that you have an allergy to it or will have some reaction to burning it. It is always advisable to take precautions when burning. The main hazard to be wary of is the extremely fine wood dust when sanding the wood or in some cases the pitch/sap or resin that emits harmful fumes when burning. All wood dust is hazardous & can cause respiratory problems if you do not wear a mask, some more than others & should be avoided. You should always wear a quality dust mask/ respirator while power carving, and use a good dust collection system to avoid a lifetime injury to your lungs. These recommendations

really are not just for power carving or sanding, but they should be used for burning as well. Some research indicates that long-term exposure to the dust and fumes from these woods can cause asthma or increase the risk of more serious illnesses, such as nasal cancer. Molds can also trigger allergic reactions, and you should take extra precautions when using spalted materials which contain mold. Most wood dust can be hazardous, some more than others. Proper precautions are always recommended when carving or burning wood. Some woods that are listed as toxic, such as ash, beech, birch and spalted maple are due to fungal contamination rather than the wood chemistry itself. Woods such as cedar or pine contain resins or oils that emit toxic odors when burned and may cause serious respiratory problems when inhaled. If you must use some of these woods, be sure to take precautions, such as wearing a good dust mask and/ or gloves when sanding to prevent a rash between your fingers.

"If it's man-made don't use it unless you know for sure that there's nothing in there that can cause problems." If you have an aspirin allergy, be wary of willow and birch. Both of these species possess significant concentrations of salicylic acid (the predecessor of aspirin) and very sensitive

Nedra Denison

individuals might only need casual exposure, such as a whiff of sawdust, to react. Never say "no" to a dust mask. You might not make a fashion statement but it could prevent serious health problems in the future. Among woodworkers, the chances of developing nasal and sinus cancer run about 5-40 times greater than non-woodworkers but this is probably true mostly among people not wearing protective masks while working with wood. Although researchers haven't identified the exact cancer-causing compound (primarily because the disease has a latency period from 30 to 50 years), some evidence points to dust from wood with high tannin content, such as chestnut, oak, redwood, western red cedar, and hemlock. Wearing a mask can significantly reduce the chances of having any health issues from working with wood. The bottom line is when it comes to wood burning/pyrography or any craft: If it's manmade don't use it unless you know for sure that there's nothing in there that can cause problems. If it's a wood with known toxicities don't use it. Burning on and/or through such things as: paper (most are treated with something), ink from toners or printers, plastic (press 'n seal, acrylic, Lucite, etc.), masking tape (glue). If you are in doubt contact the manufacturer. Get an MSDS sheet. But most of all don't rely on a pyrography instructor or a gourd instructor to be an expert in material safety. They are not. Get the facts on material safety from an expert! If your instructor tells you it's safe ask them for something in writing proving it is safe to burn on or through. You may trust them but do you trust them with your health? http://www.sawdustconnection.com/Pyrography-101-TutorialPyrography-Safety.htm

The Pyrographer | November 2017

yes Plywood

Pressure-treated wood.

Gourds

Medium density fiber board (MDF)

Burning on many plywood's, such as birch and Italian poplar are relatively safe but precautions must be taken to avoid burning through the wood into the glue layer which can be harmful. Gourds are nice to work on, but burning or carving gourds can also cause respiratory problems so use a mask/respirator when working with gourds and work in a well-ventilated area. The biggest problem comes when you cut them open and carve or sand inside or burn deep past the "shell". Be careful to wear an appropriate mask when working with gourds and it's best to do it outside the house. I urge you to read the Gourd Pyrography & Safety Tutorial

Leather

Leather is another nice material, but you must ensure that you are only using leather that is oil/vegetable-tanned. You can usually find this at Tandy Leather and many other suppliers. Chrome or metal tanned leather can produce dangerous fumes. Burning on leather requires a slightly cooler pen than burning on wood but, and again you must ensure that you keep your tip clean. Please check out the tutorial "Wood burning from A-Z" for more information on leather burning.

Tagua nuts

Can I Burn That?

by Nedra Denison

The Pyrographer | November 2017

Tanua Nuts also known as natures ivoryÂ?, are fun and interesting to use. Burning on these little nuts requires very fine-tipped pens, which are available from Razertip and some other companies.

Canvas

Canvas is my new best friend. It's fun to burn but please make sure the canvas you burn on is untreated. Also use a lower temperature and be sure to put it on top of a solid surface and iron the canvas before you start burning. You can burn on most surfaces that are created from natural fibers such as paper (as long as it's untreated), velum, bamboo, canvas, cloth, cork...as long as they are not treated with anything! Experiment burning on natural, untreated materials, and see what turns out!

It is treated with chemicals that, although safely bound in the wood fibers for construction purposes, are inherently dangerous to woodworkers and woodburners. MDF is loaded with chemicals and formaldehyde that are unsafe and should not be used for pyrography.

Treated wood

Chemically treated, stained, painted, sealed with a finish, etc. If you must use this type of wood be sure that you have thoroughly sanded it to remove all traces and are burning on bare wood.

Plastic

I have spoken with manufacturers of plastics (includes Plexiglas, Lucite, press 'n seal and acrylics) and they stress the fact that plastic is composed of chemical and is toxic when burned. I don't care what they call it, it's plastic, it's chemicals and it's toxic! So I urge people to find safer methods of transferring patterns and safer things to burn. Plastic in any form was not invented for people to burn so please be safe! This includes things such as: plastic stencils, acrylic mirrors, press n Seal (taught by some instructors to transfer patterns on gourds). IT IS NOT SAFE TO BURN ON THINGS SUCH AS: glue (masking & adhesive tape), ink from printers and copiers; paper that has been processed (most paper is processed) and many more things. I've contacted manufacturers who say it's not recommended for use in pyrography or any other burning which can release the chemicals in the glue. Basically what this means is things such as pyrography paper sold by many dealers may or may not be safe to burn on since it's probably processed (with chemicals) & you are printing a pattern with ink or toner. I don't like the unknown so I prefer to err on the side of caution & find other things to transfer patterns. http://www.sawdustconnection.com/Pyrography-101-TutorialPyrography-Safety.htm

n r a L e rn u b to

Gather your tools - In order to practice pyrography, you'll want a few basic tools to get you started. After you've successfully completed a couple of drawings, you may want to expand, although you're be perfectly able to get by with the following: 1. Wood burning tool 2. Assorted wood burning tips 3. Cloth (to clean tips inbetween) 4. Pliers 5. Ceramic dish 6. Wood 7. Templete (optional) 8. Carbon Paper (optional)

Sand your Wood -Sand your wood before you begin. Take some 320 grit sandpaper, wrap it around a flat wooden block or attach to a paddle sander, and lightly hit all areas of the wood equally. Details will come out sharper and crisper when the surface of the wood is very smooth. When sanding, sand with the grain. The grain is the direction of the wood fibers. Sanding with the grain will minimize any tiny burrs or scratch marks that result from sanding against the grain. When you're done sanding, wipe the surface with a damp towel. This will remove any sawdust and make the outline transfer easier. Use light strokes instead of a heavy hand. Many beginners make the mistake of pressing down too hard on the wood with the pen, thinking that lots of pressure is needed to

www.amazo n.com

Wood Type - Get a hold of some nice wood for the pyrography, preferably wood on the softer side. The hardness of wood is rated on a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest wood (like Balsa) and 10 being the hardest (like Padauk). For beginners, especially, the softer the wood, the better. Hard woods are expensive, resistant to heat, and generally on the darker side. Soft woods, on the other hand, are cheaper, easier to burn, and lighter, providing a good burn contrast. Try getting your hands on these soft woods as you start off wood burning: Pine Basswood Birch Ash Maple

The Pyrographer | November 2017

Draw your Image - If you have

printed your image or already drawn it on paper, transfer your image using the carbon paper. If you are free handing your design, draw it lightly using a pencil.

Start Burning - Handle your pen with care. Your pen will get quite hot quite fast, so attach the tip you'll be working with before you turn on the mac hine. Always attach and detach tips with your pliers. Give your pen two or so minutes to get hot. As it heats up, let your wood burning pen rest in a pen holding device or a clay pot to min imize the risk of accidental burning. Take your time when wood burning. You' re not going to win any awards for racing thro ugh the design in record time. Wood burn ing, regardless of the material you're using, is a slow process. As you familiarize yourself with the pen, remember: Steady pressure is best. For most beginne r designs, you'll want the indents etched by the pen to be even all around. The longer you hold your pen in one area , the darker and deeper it will get. Get some practice wood and expe riment.

Once you have got your materials and you know the basics, get several pieces of practice wood and practice with the various tips that will come with your wood burner. Once you have a good idea of what each tip does, then you will know which ones to use for various projects. The tips you will use will depend upon what type of picture and how much detail you are going to put in the picture.know the basics, get several pieces of practice wood and practice with the various tips that will come with your wood burner. Once you have a good idea of what each tip does, then you will know which ones to use for various projects. The tips you will use will depend upon what type of picture and how much detail you are going to put in the picture.

*Safety Tip*

never leave a hot tool unattended!

By Wik iHo w

www.carvin gpatters.co m

make an impression. It's not. In fact, usin g light strokes is preferable to pressing dow n hard. It's easier to guide the pen, reduces erro rs, and all but eliminates the possibility of acci dental burning.

https://ww w.wikihow.c om/Woodb urn

get started today!

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buy your first woodburning kit

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