Super Woodburning & Pyrography Techniques

I will discuss briefly the types of woods and their characteristics.   I will also cite examples of different types of wood.

 I will include an environmental awareness philosophy we, as wood crafters, should keep in mind.

An introduction to the basic woodburning equipment that will be used in this course.

Familiarize yourself with each point;

Interchanging points; How to attach and remove;

Safe Handling of Hot points;    Cleaning, sanding the points

Discuss the importance of various basic lines in Pyrography. 

Make the students understand the need to learn these lines.

Actual demonstration of heating the wood-burning pen set to almost maximum heat, using the first of the six burning points, starting with the Calligraphy Point.  Step by step demonstration of burning basic lines on wood using the Calligraphy Point.  Allow student to practice the lines, feel and observe the experience. Allow student to know which of the basic lines are easy or difficult to do with the Calligraphy Point.

Actual demonstration of heating the wood-burning pen set to almost maximum heat, using the second of the six burning points, Universal Point.  Step by step demonstration of woodburning basic lines using the Universal Point.  Allow student to practice the lines, feel and observe the experience. Allow student to know which of the basic lines are easy or difficult to do with the Universal Point.

Demonstrate how to correctly transfer an image to the wooden surface using carbon or graphite paper.

Show students some samples of simple products they can create using just the two points that have been so far discussed.  

Project assignment:  The student will create a woodburned coaster with supplied design.  The student can choose from one or two simple templates I will provide.   

Project Assignment:  The student may create the supplied round design on 8"x 8" wood.  This exercise will give the student the confidence to learn how to grip the woodburning tool, and control heat and pressure as the design is being burned.

Actual demonstration of heating the wood-burning pen to almost maximum heat, using the Tapered Point. Step by step demonstration of woodburning basic lines on wood using the Tapered Point.  Allow students to practice the lines, feel and observe the experience.  Allow student to know the difference between this point and the other points that have already been taken in the course.

Demonstrate how to transfer a laser copy of a photograph or an image, to a wood surface using the Transfer Point, (as opposed to a transfer paper). 

Show Students how to woodburn a family crest using the Shading Point, teaching them how to use the tip or the edge of the point to burn the design.  Introduced a new type of art work in the form of a plaque that can create a source of income for a Pyrography artist.  Provided samples of simple and manageable designs they can woodburn on their own using a combination of the Shading and Tapered points which have just been discussed.  Do a Project Assignment:  Create their own family seal or crest design, with an option to use templates of letterings I have provided.   

The students will be learning through actual demonstration, how to woodburn the image and apply shading to their work. A combination of wood-burning points will be required for this project to learn how to create various lines and shading.

The student will learn how to properly use the Knife Point to create highlights on the subject, and do corrections on the woodburned work.

Learn how to woodburn a frame on your own artwork and see what a difference it makes!

Learn how to correctly attach the hooks behind your work to prepare it for hanging on the wall.

Actual demonstration of heating the wood-burning pen to almost maximum heat, using the Flow Point.  This is a Step by step demonstration of woodburning basic lines on wood using the Flow Point.  Allow student to practice the lines, feel and observe the experience.  Allow student to know which of the basic lines are easy or difficult to do with the Flow Point.

This is an example of a personalized design, either as a name plate or using a proverb or quotation, which can be another way to create a saleable item or income-generating activity.

This video demonstrates how to woodburn a beautiful furry animal using the Flow Point.  Doing the letterings of the poem was created using the Tapered Point, while the highlights were defined using the Knife Point.

I hope to build a rapport or connection with my students through a mutual exchange of thoughts, ideas, photographs of work, and problem-solving by way of challenges and the evaluation processes. 

I hope to see them become woodburning professionals building a niche for themselve using this awesome creative skill and becoming super woodburning pyrography artists.