Pyrography
Pyrography by definition is the art of burning a surface with some type of heated tool or fire. Typically, with gourd art, the tool is a variable temperature burner with wire tips, or a solid point burner without temperature controls. Torches and other heated objects may be used.
Burning tools
Electric Power Base with a variable temperature control and a variety of pyrographic pens are available from several manufacturers. With the use of adapters you can mix and match them to suit your needs. Names include Razertip®, Burnmaster®, Colwood®, Optima® to name a few.
Choosing woodburning pen tips (also called nibs) is based on the desired effect - straight or curved lines, writing, shading and so on. There are many to choose from. When looking at a list of basic Ball tips you will see they vary by size of the tip and some are standard or heavy duty. The Skew tip has a straight edge and is best for burning or cutting crisp, neat lines. The Writer tip end is a small round point used for lettering, curved lines and filling in. The Shader tip will generally appear flat and is designed to "iron" the surface, leaving a soft, wide scorch mark.
Accessories
Burning techniques consist of three basic styles; lines, shading and stippling. There isn’t a right or wrong way of doing pyrography, however as in any type of art, there are certain guidelines that create a more appealing end result.
Troubleshooting
Burning tools
Electric Power Base with a variable temperature control and a variety of pyrographic pens are available from several manufacturers. With the use of adapters you can mix and match them to suit your needs. Names include Razertip®, Burnmaster®, Colwood®, Optima® to name a few.
Choosing woodburning pen tips (also called nibs) is based on the desired effect - straight or curved lines, writing, shading and so on. There are many to choose from. When looking at a list of basic Ball tips you will see they vary by size of the tip and some are standard or heavy duty. The Skew tip has a straight edge and is best for burning or cutting crisp, neat lines. The Writer tip end is a small round point used for lettering, curved lines and filling in. The Shader tip will generally appear flat and is designed to "iron" the surface, leaving a soft, wide scorch mark.
Accessories
- Lighting, sandpaper, rag or tack cloth, scrap gourd piece for practicing are basic supplies.
- Pattern, graphite paper to transfer a design, red pen for tracing and tape to hold the patern in place.
- For Safety, a face mask is recommended and a fan to suck the smoke away. Turn off the burner when changing pens and unplug your burner when not in use. Always check for frayed cords and other hazzards associated with hot tools.
- Maintenance of the tips by cleaning (scraping, rubbing off) carbon deposits/buildup when it occurs.
Burning techniques consist of three basic styles; lines, shading and stippling. There isn’t a right or wrong way of doing pyrography, however as in any type of art, there are certain guidelines that create a more appealing end result.
Troubleshooting
- Blobs or hot spots at the start of a line. Moving the pen when a line is started helps avoid the hot spot. Another tip is to blow on the tip before contact to cool the tip off
- Lines are untidy and blobby, scorch marks along the edge. Burning too hot; carbon buildup on the pen is also associated with burning too hot.
- Uneven thickness or color of lines. The temperature is correct, but the speed of moving the pen is inconsistent.