Pyrography or Wood burning is an art that stimulates your creativity and requires a lot of practice and patience. Today, we’ll be sharing some tips and techniques that can help you start and improve your wood burning skills.
1. PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
Always practice on throw away pieces of wood before starting any project. Take your time to practice and get comfortable in applying different pressure. Soft and light pressure is generally best so as not to bend or break the tips. Adjust the pressure as you create lines, bold dots, and shading.
2. GET A QUALITY WOOD BURNING KIT
To fully enjoy your wood burning experience, get a good quality wood burning kit. A wood burner with various tips included is a bonus!
3. CHOOSE SOFTWOOD
Softwood is easy to burn and best for wood burning. We suggest cedar, pine, poplar, birch oak, basswood, aspen wood, and cherry wood.
4. TAKE YOUR TIME
Using a pyrography pen is not like writing on paper. Wood burning art requires a slow and steady hand. Practice different pressures. Quick strokes will result in inconsistent lines and slow strokes will create better solid lines.
5. HAVE PATIENCE AND FIND YOUR FLOW
Wood Burning art is a long process but also a rewarding one. As you continue, you will find your flow and appreciation of the art you create.
6. USE A THICKER TIP YOU ARE COMFORTABLE WITH TO START
Don’t start by trying different tips. Choose one tip and get really comfortable with that tip until you are ready to try other tips. Thicker tips may be best to start with until you find your flow and the right pressure. A softer touch takes practice.
5 SIMPLE STEPS TO CREATE YOUR ART
- Find some art, design or stencil you wish to draw.
- Use transfer paper to outline your design onto the wood.
- Using your pyrography pen, follow the outline you drew onto the wood
- When finished wipe off any dust or particles with a cloth, then rub in wood oil.
- Set artwork aside in a cool dry space away from direct sun.
BASIC PYROGRAPHY TECHNIQUES
- Press down and hold the pen for dramatic larger dots
- For smaller dots, use a fine tip and press gently
- Use the side of a tip with light back and forth strokes for shading
- Make sure the wood burner is hot before you begin
- The point of the pen creates a fine line
- Never over tighten your tips with pliers to prevent the tips from breaking
We hope these tips and techniques are helpful for both beginners and experienced artists. Do you have your own wood burning tips and techniques? Comment below or share this article, and don’t forget to share your pyrography creation with us!
Happy Crafting!
