Wood Burning or Pyrography designs and craft patterns for beginners

The craft of wood burning is all about burning pictures, verses in fact anything you like onto pieces of wood. Another name for wood burning is pyrography.  To achieve success at doing this craft is like anything else you will need to practice.  Practice and patience can enable you to take on this craft and succeed if you learn the skill of using a wood burning pen.

Have you ever been to a craft show, where there are a variety of crafts?  Then you will have seen some of this type of work on display.  You can write (burn) versus of poetry or anything at all into different shapes of wood. Make signs similar to “gone fishing” or don’t call me I’ll call you” type of signs. It doesn’t matter what you write, although humor will not go astray for this type of craft.

You can also burn patterns into the lids and sides of boxes, frames, whatever your imagination can create. Colors can also be added into your wood burning or pyrography by scorching over colored non wax based pencil.

Start practicing on any old pieces of wood or bits of pallet wood to get the hang of the art of wood burning. Bear in mind that some types of wood will be easier to work with than others.  Once you have the hang of it buy some of the prepared pieces from any craft store.  Then if you are happy with the results and think you would like to do more of this type of craft then challenge yourself with something more difficult.

You can buy all sorts of different types of wood already, some of the wood with the bark still on the outside of it will add character to your craft, although it will depend on what you are putting on them. 

How to transfer design onto the wood

There are literally thousands of different designs and patterns available.  The simplest way to find animals, birds, planes is by looking through the children’s drawing or cartoon books.  They are full of different types of artwork.

They are also available to download from many websites and buy from the hobby stores. Or like I said earlier use your imagination and create your own out of this world creations or monsters.  The choice is yours. Once you have decided on a pattern you need to trace it onto a piece of tracing paper.  Place a piece of carbon paper face (ink side) down on the wood then place your drawing in the required position. Be sure to keep the paper very still, now draw over your pattern, this will transfer it onto your wood ready for you to do your wood burning.

If you have not already bought your wood burning tool you will need to dash out to your nearest hobby store. Or if you can wait and you know what type you need you can also buy them over the internet.  If buying locally then ask the salesman for advice on which one to buy. The types of wood you are working on will dictate the size of the pen. 

The pens look a bit like a normal pen, with the plastic holder keeping the pen heated at a steady temperature. Controllers are available to either increase or decrease the heat of the pen as you work with different work. Wider tips are best for heavy work as narrow for lighter lineage.

Burning your pattern onto wood

As with doing anything new you will need to practice on scrap pieces of wood. Do not destroy the good work you have prepared before practicing on a similar type of wood first.  If you do not have anyone to show you, you could be cheeky and ask if they person at the hobby shop could advise you.  After all, you are buying their goods so they may prove helpful.  Otherwise it may pay to join a local club to gain more confidence.  If all else fails, then give it a go, trial and error is the only way to learn.

Be careful not to rest your hot pen on the wood or you will burn it too much.  As you gain experience you can even use a variety of colors in this type of work.

You can finish your wonderful wood burning or pyrography project by giving it a coat of stain to complete the effect and make it more presentable and professional it will also seal the colors in at the same time.  Now give yourself a pat on the back for being able to create something different with Wood burning or pyrography.

Whichever type of new craft you decide to try, make sure you enjoy the challenge of trying something new.

There are also other types of pyrography in the forms of:

Leather pyrography – In some ways this may be easier to burn on leather.  You will need to very careful as it can burn very easy. 

Tip - For leather work use a fine tip burner, as the wider tip will burn hotter and show darker on the leather.

Gourd Pyrography – This is done by burning onto the shells of dried fruits.

Free wood carving and wood burning patterns