Pyrography Art – Wood Burning
So, what exactly is pyrography?
The word ‘pyrography’ itself can be broken up into two parts: ‘pyro’ and ‘graphos’, meaning ‘fire’ and ‘writing’ in Greek. So the word ‘pyrography’ literally means ‘writing with fire’, as pyrography is the art of decorating wood or other suitable materials by burning words or images into them.
To achieve the high level of detail and textures in her artwork Cherry uses a specialized modern pyrography tool called a Wire Tip Burner, this is somewhat different to a solid point burner such as a soldering iron, Wire-tip burners have variable temperature controls. The writing tip is heated by an electric current passing directly through it. Some models have interchangeable tips to allow for different effects, these tips can be made to suit your own style by making them yourself in whichever shape and sizes you wish.
A large range of tones and shades can be achieved. Varying the type of tip used, the temperature, or the way the iron is applied to the material all create different effects. After the design is burned in, wooden objects are often coloured. Light-coloured hardwoods such as sycamore, basswood, beech and birch are most commonly used, as their fine grain is not obtrusive. However, other woods, such as maple, pine or oak, are also used. Pyrography is also applied to leather items, using the same hot-iron technique. Leather lends itself to bold designs, and also allows very subtle shading to be achieved, all in the creative hands of the Artist.
Pyrography dates from the 17th century in very different and crude forms compared to the machines available today, at this time metal objects would have been heated up in a fire to create effects more akin to poker work. Today we can appreciate the progression of the style and format that is Pyrography Art, a very unique and time intensive style with striking results.
For more Pyrography lovelyness please
head back to my Pyrography Gallery
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