Quick-Start Woodburning Guide

By Michele Y. Parsons

This easy-to-read, small-format guide is the ultimate starting point to introduce yourself to the hobby of woodburning! Perfect for any beginner, jump right into learning about what pyrography is, safety, types of equipment, pens, burning techniques, and other foundational topics. Get a complete overview, and with the suggested lists for further

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fox Chapel Publishing
• Release date: Sep 7, 2020
• ISBN: 9781607657811

Michele Y. Parsons

Michele Parsons, the founder of Parsons Wood Artistry, has been immersed in art and nature her entire life. She spent her childhood drawing and wandering in the woods, exploring nature. Finding a way to combine these interests resulted in her gravitating toward creating art in wood -- woodcarving and pyrography. Both of these art forms give Michele a connection to trees, both in the peaceful sound of carving wood and the primal smell of burning wood. Gifted with an ability to teach others, Michele has spent years teaching workshop-based pyrography classes and writing for Pyrography Magazine. She receives personal satisfaction when students learn pyrography and are excited about their newly found interest. To help students, especially in remote areas, Michele started selling pyrography equipment and accessories at discounted pricing. The result is Parsons Wood Artistry creating The Pyrography Store​™.

Book preview

What Is Pyrography?

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Pyrography is another word for woodburning, but the term woodburning is only used when burning on wood.

Pyrography in Latin means fire (pyro-) and writing/ drawing (-graphy).

When you are burning patterns, text, or images on materials, such as gourds, leather, cork, canvas, tagua nuts, bone, or paper, the proper term is pyrography.

One of the most popular materials that people burn is wood. Because it’s the go-to material, people often refer to all of pyrography as woodburning, which is incorrect. It’s best to only use the term woodburning when referring to burning on wood. In the end, though, whatever you want to call it, pyrography is an excellent craft to learn and wood is a good place to start.

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Woodburning is one of many pyrography techniques.

Safety

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When you burn material, it releases fumes into the air. Breathing certain fumes can cause serious health risks. Sometimes the fumes can be irritating to your lungs; other times, fumes can be toxic to your health.

Only burn natural and untreated items !

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Leaning over your work causes the fumes to rise directly into your face. Sit back in your chair. If you cannot see your work well, use magnifying glasses or a slant table or easel.

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Sitting back in your chair and using a slanted surface results in fumes rising without getting in your face. It can also prevent overhead lighting from reflecting off your burning, causing a glare.

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Use a small fan to blow fumes away from you and your work. Open windows and doors for better air circulation.

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Use an activated carbon filter fan next to your work to trap fumes. The fumes should go through the fan immediately when burning for best results.

Another way to avoid breathing the fumes is to build a ventilation system that vents directly to the outdoors. This is a permanent solution that does not allow for carrying your work to a temporary location, such as when you can bring a fan to a pyrography class.

A ventilation system can include several options: a hooded vent located over the burning area, a fan to blow the fumes outdoors, or an