Pyrography Art - Materials And Tools

There are several different types of wood burning tools which can be used to create different kinds of shades.

Tools with a solid point do offer a variety of tip shapes and can also be used for burning wood or leather. Wire-point machines allow the artist to shape the wire into a variety of shapes as to create either broad marks or fine lines.

This is very time-consuming though and it would be much easier to buy a kit with replaceable tips.

Kits can easily be found online and many even include a full step by step instruction manual, a piece of select wood, a pattern and graphite transfer paper and even a piece of 400 grit sandpaper.

Most commonly used are the lighter colored hard woods such as sycamore, beech and birch. Due to their fine grain they are easy to work with and yield the best contrast. Woods such as pine or oak, are also used, although not as much as the previous woods mentioned before. I suppose it is a matter of preference.

The same tools and techniques can be used on leather. This material lends itself very well for bold designs and very subtle shading can be achieved. When burning leather, make sure to use special vegetable-tanned leather. The modern tanning methods leave chemicals in the leather which are toxic when burned!

Books on how to start and improve the art can be found in craft- and hobby stores, as well as online. You can also attend workshops and the Internet can provide you with locations near you where those are being held.

Workshops on DVD are a great alternative if you are unable to leave home, or don't like to burn rubber.