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Wood burning or pyrography is one of the most ancient arts. Some of the first objects decorated by burning were found in Peru. They date back to the 7th century BC. Ancient craftsmen obtained images using hot rods over a fire. Currently, there are more and more people who like to decorate their lives, and twigs have been replaced by special devices, with the help of which lines of different thicknesses and color saturation are applied to wood.

Read also the article: - lessons for beginners!

How to choose a burner

You can even burn a simple picture with a regular soldering iron. But for regular practice, it is better to buy a wood burner. It fits comfortably in the hand, has an optimal heating temperature and replaceable attachments that significantly expand artistic possibilities masters

There are two types of burners - with a wire or with a hard pen. Both types operate from a 220 V network, but samples with a hard pen do not have heating adjustment. When choosing, you should pay attention to the power of the device.

If the burner has a power of less than 20 W, working with it will be quite slow. Such devices are designed for children or those just learning the basics of burning.

More powerful devices allow you to work faster, but are suitable for those who are already confident in their actions.

Advantages of hard nib burners

These models are easy to use and low in price. With this type of burner it is easy to apply simple images with a minimum of details. They are most often bought for children or beginners. Disadvantages of the device include:

• long warm-up and cool-down times;
• handle that heats up during operation;
• large size of the handle and the feather located far away from it.

The latter feature makes it difficult to draw thin long lines and requires breaks from work to rest. If used for a long time, the device may overheat and fail. Therefore, to burn out a large complex pattern, it is better to choose a different type of device.

Features of devices with a wire pen

Samples of devices with a wire pen have great advantages:

• fast heating and cooling;
• comfortable handle;
• trouble-free replacement of wire in case of burnout;
• long pen life;
• Possibility of drawing lines of different thicknesses.

Such models are noticeably more expensive, so they are usually chosen for professional work on wood.

For testing, it is better to purchase an inexpensive model with a hard nib. If the activity takes you seriously, there is a wide selection of wood burning devices with a wire pen on sale.

How to choose a wooden backing and a pattern for burning

The wood chosen for work is linden, poplar, ash, aspen, and pine. These rocks are soft and easy to work with.

The softer the wood, the easier and more comfortable it is to work with.

Before work, the board must be carefully processed. The smoother its surface, the neater the design looks. The planed board is sanded finely sandpaper, passing along the fibers. This will eliminate minor irregularities and chips. Finally, it is wiped with a damp rag to remove shavings and dust to make it easier to transfer the design.

Pictures for wood burning for beginners should have clear outlines and a small amount of details. Simple images are more difficult to spoil; there is always the opportunity to play with the line thickness or add an additional one in case of an error.

Themes for burning can be anything:

• congratulations on the holidays - such crafts will be a good gift;
• cartoon characters - the drawings are simple and fascinating, children love to burn them;
• funny images of animals will decorate and enliven the interior of the kitchen, hallway or nursery;
• landscapes look great in any setting;
• ornaments are always appropriate; they are easy to make using a stencil.

The most difficult design for wood burning is a photograph. This requires high skill of the performer and a set of attachments to convey all the nuances.

Burning patterns can be downloaded from the Internet or made yourself. To do this, place a sheet of tracing paper on the drawing and carefully trace all the lines, trying to convey their thickness.

Children can draw the simplest pictures themselves. In this case, burning becomes much more interesting.

Transfer the image to the board using carbon paper. It is fixed on the wood with the ink side down, tracing paper with a design is placed on top and all the lines are transferred, trying not to move the sheets in the process.

To make your first job a success, follow these subtleties:

• use a burner to apply thin strokes instead of thick lines, this makes it easier to direct the pen in the right direction;
• press the pen with equal force over the entire surface of the board;
• the longer the pen is held in one place, the darker and deeper the line becomes;
• try to move the pen along the grain of the wood, turning it with the fibers in itself; when burning against or across the grain, more effort must be applied;
• before work, practice on an unnecessary board with different attachments to get your hands on and have an idea of ​​​​in what cases they should be used;
• start burning from the edge of the sketch - this is the most inconspicuous place in case of an error;
• swipe over the same place several times times easy with thin strokes, achieving optimal thickness;
• place a small board under your hand so as not to smear the translated sketch and stain the board;
• First, burn in the main lines of the image to see the basis of the composition.

Once you've learned how to draw precise, even lines, experiment with shadows. Using this technique, you can achieve a three-dimensional image. Different attachments are used to display shadows.

The picture on the tree does not have to remain one color. For coloring, use watercolor paints (or pencils) and brushes.

The nozzles must be periodically cleaned of carbon deposits. To do this, use a special grinding block or belt and aluminum oxide.

The finished product is coated with varnish or PVA glue.

Compliance with safety regulations

Teach your children safety rules when handling a burner and always follow them yourself:

• When changing attachments, use pliers to avoid burning your fingers;
• Be careful when working with a heated burner;
• always place the device on a special stand;
• do not leave the device turned on without attention;
• when working in indoors use exhaust fan, since some types of wood smoke heavily and can cause allergies and irritation of the respiratory tract.

Wood burning is a fun and rewarding activity. It will allow you to relax after a hard day at work, teach children perseverance and accuracy, and decorate your home with unique works.

Video review of the burning station

Video about drawing transfer and wood burning process

Everyone remembers one of the pastimes of childhood - burning pictures or portraits on wood. And the smell of burning wood remained in my memory forever. Everything returns to normal. Today it is called pyrography, and is becoming fashionable again. Computers are computers, and many children want to show their individuality in a different way. And not only for children, to say the least. Let's remember how this is done and what is needed for this. Below is all the information for beginners and more.

Everyone remembers one of the childhood pastimes - wood burning.

The burning apparatus (pyrograph) is the main equipment. Previously, it was a plastic box (usually yellow) with a small soldering iron inside, the tip of which was similar to a paper clip in appearance and thickness. Today, when this art is making a comeback, the burning machine is a more serious device. There are also old-type devices, but it is still better to purchase a burner with hard feathers. It will last for a long time, since it is highly durable, and it has many different attachments.

There are also disadvantages:

• long heating - long cooling;
• sometimes - uncomfortable (heating) handles;
• Possibility of burnout during long-term operation.

Wire burners have more serious disadvantages:

• high cost;
• expensive repairs;
• frequent replacement of thin needles;
• difficulty in finding spare parts.

The choice of a burner is a purely individual decision. But most choose the first option. I can recommend the Stayer pyrograph. An excellent burner suitable for all materials.

How to use the device? This burning device is conveniently located in plastic box, which is convenient for transportation. The kit includes a stand for the soldering iron (which is very important), a set of tips of 20 pieces (always necessary and shaped). All in all, great gift for both novice and professional pyrographers. Next you will need a wood burning kit. It will be cheaper and easier than searching for the necessary means at hand on your own. There is enough material there for the first time. The sets look something like this:

A good set contains several boards, some with ready-made sketches. We also need drawings, which are not a problem to find. For starters, they are again included in the burning kit.

Gallery: wood burning (crafts - 25 photos)

Burning lesson and technique - master class for beginners (video)

Preparation and burning wood with a soldering iron: beauty technology

Having prepared the necessary equipment, decide on the material. It is better to stick to soft woods.

Good fit:

• pine;
• Linden;
• birch;
• ash;
• maple.

Having prepared the necessary equipment, decide on the material

You need to let the device warm up on the stand. Then take the properly sanded material. Remember:

1. It is necessary to grind along the grain - this will remove all the unevenness and roughness.
2. After sanding, be sure to go over the material. damp cloth. Be sure to let the material dry.
3. Next, you need to carefully apply the sketch to the surface of the prepared material with a pencil, using light strokes.

Once you start work, forget about haste: no one sets the task of completing it quickly. This is not a quick process. Like any art, it requires care and gives great pleasure from the work done.

1. Sketch, if you are not good at drawing yourself, apply it to the surface using carbon paper.
2. You need to apply the design onto the prepared surface with a soldering iron with the same force - this way there will be no gaps on it.
3. Do not keep the hot needle in one place - the wood will darken more than in other places. This may ruin the final look.
4. Keep the material with the fibers facing down - this will make it easier for the needle to move along it without encountering obstacles or resistance.

Always be careful and remember: you are working with a hot tool. Always keep it on a stand: it’s better to blow on the water one more time, but not get burned.

How to burn on boards correctly: the birth of the first masterpieces

As mentioned, this requires the following tool:

• sketch (it can be whatever you like best);
• planks (pine, linden, birch, ash, maple);
• fireproof stand for the pyrograph (required!);
• pyrograph

Depending on the need and features of the pattern, change the attachments, which you always keep at hand.

1. Prepare a tablet. Clean it with fine sandpaper. Rub with a chalk-water solution. Allow the board to dry (you can only burn it when the material is dry).
2. Transfer the selected sketch to the board.
3. Turn on the pyrograph. Wait until the pen heats up and turns red.
4. Then, with equal pressure, move the pen along the contour and all elements of the sketch so that a clear dark brown stripe appears (or black, if you want).
5. Burning is completed when all parts of the sketch are drawn and it turns into a full-fledged drawing.

Depending on the need and features of the pattern, change the attachments, which you always keep at hand. This technology for beginners allows you to quickly learn the art of pyrography.

Burning on plywood: the easiest way

The process of burning on plywood is not much different from pyrography on a thick board. It is easy to purchase plywood sheets at any construction market. You can ask and they will cut it into pieces, the right size. Plywood weighs less and costs less than other materials. It contains no harmful resins. You need to choose plywood from birch, pine, beech, no more than 2 centimeters thick.

After choosing plywood, the process follows the scheme already given.

1. The plywood needs to be cleaned. Wet with a solution of chalk and water. Let the plywood dry.
2. During the drying time, you need to select a sketch, a pencil, and carbon paper.
3. As soon as the plywood is dry, start transferring the sketch onto the plywood.
4. Turn on the pyrograph - it must be on a stand.
5. After the pyrograph is hot and the sketch is transferred to plywood, begin work.

The process of burning on plywood is not much different from pyrography on a thick board

Himself, observing this simple technology, you can burn anything: from a simple inscription to a real painting. This is easier to do than it seems.

Which attachments are best to buy?

All you need to do is purchase a set of attachments to get started. This is what a great set looks like, tested experimentally.

Wood burning or pyrography is one of the most ancient arts. Some of the first objects decorated by burning were found in Peru. They date back to the 7th century BC. Ancient craftsmen obtained images using hot rods over a fire. Currently, there are more and more people who like to decorate their homes, and twigs have been replaced by special devices, with the help of which lines of different thicknesses and color saturation are applied to wood.

How to choose a burner

You can even burn a simple picture with a regular soldering iron. But for regular practice, it is better to buy a wood burner. It fits comfortably in the hand, has an optimal heating temperature and replaceable attachments, which significantly expand the artist’s artistic capabilities.

There are two types of burners - with a wire or with a hard pen. Both types operate from a 220 V network, but samples with a hard pen do not have heating adjustment. When choosing, you should pay attention to the power of the device.

If the burner has a power of less than 20 W, working with it will be quite slow. Such devices are designed for children or those just learning the basics of burning.

More powerful devices allow you to work faster, but are suitable for those who are already confident in their actions.

Advantages of hard nib burners

These models are easy to use and low in price. With this type of burner it is easy to apply simple images with a minimum of details. They are most often bought for children or beginners. Disadvantages of the device include:

• long warm-up and cool-down times;
• handle that heats up during operation;
• large size of the handle and the feather located far away from it.

The latter feature makes it difficult to draw thin long lines and requires breaks from work to rest. If used for a long time, the device may overheat and fail. Therefore, to burn out a large complex pattern, it is better to choose a different type of device.

Features of devices with a wire pen

Samples of devices with a wire pen have great advantages:

• fast heating and cooling;
• comfortable handle;
• trouble-free replacement of wire in case of burnout;
• long pen life;
• Possibility of drawing lines of different thicknesses.

Such models are noticeably more expensive, so they are usually chosen for professional woodworking.

For testing, it is better to purchase an inexpensive model with a hard nib. If the activity takes you seriously, there is a wide selection of wood burning devices with a wire pen on sale.

How to choose a wooden backing and a pattern for burning

The wood chosen for work is linden, poplar, ash, maple, aspen, and pine. These rocks are soft and easy to work with.

The softer the wood, the easier and more comfortable it is to work with.

Before work, the board must be carefully processed. The smoother its surface, the neater the design looks. The planed board is sanded with fine sandpaper, running along the grain. This will eliminate minor irregularities and chips. Finally, it is wiped with a damp rag to remove shavings and dust to make it easier to transfer the design.

Wood burning pictures for beginners should have clear outlines and a small amount of detail. Simple images are more difficult to spoil; there is always the opportunity to play with the line thickness or add an additional one in case of an error.

Themes for burning can be anything:

• congratulations on the holidays - such crafts will be a good gift;
• cartoon characters - the drawings are simple and fascinating, children love to burn them;
• funny images of animals will decorate and enliven the interior of the kitchen, hallway or nursery;
• landscapes look great in any setting;
• ornaments are always appropriate; they are easy to make using a stencil.

The most difficult design for wood burning is a photograph. This requires high skill of the performer and a set of attachments to convey all the nuances.

Burning patterns can be downloaded from the Internet or made yourself. To do this, place a sheet of tracing paper on the drawing and carefully trace all the lines, trying to convey their thickness.

Children can draw the simplest pictures themselves. In this case, burning becomes much more interesting.

Transfer the image to the board using carbon paper. It is fixed on the wood with the ink side down, tracing paper with a design is placed on top and all the lines are transferred, trying not to move the sheets in the process.

To make your first job a success, follow these subtleties:

• use a burner to apply thin strokes instead of thick lines, this makes it easier to direct the pen in the right direction;
• press the pen with equal force over the entire surface of the board;
• the longer the pen is held in one place, the darker and deeper the line becomes;
• try to move the pen along the grain of the wood, turning it with the fibers in itself; when burning against or across the grain, more effort must be applied;
• before work, practice on an unnecessary board with different attachments to get your hands on and have an idea of ​​​​in what cases they should be used;
• start burning from the edge of the sketch - this is the most inconspicuous place in case of an error;
• move over the same place several times with light, thin strokes, achieving optimal thickness;
• place a small board under your hand so as not to smear the translated sketch and stain the board;
• First, burn in the main lines of the image to see the basis of the composition.

Once you've learned how to draw precise, even lines, experiment with shadows. Using this technique, you can achieve a three-dimensional image. Different attachments are used to display shadows.

The picture on the tree does not have to remain one color. For coloring, use watercolor paints (or pencils) and brushes.

The nozzles must be periodically cleaned of carbon deposits. To do this, use a special grinding block or belt and aluminum oxide.

The finished product is coated with varnish or PVA glue.

Compliance with safety regulations

Teach your children safety rules when handling a burner and always follow them yourself:

• When changing attachments, use pliers to avoid burning your fingers;
• Be careful when working with a heated burner;
• always place the device on a special stand;
• do not leave the device turned on without attention;
• When working in enclosed spaces, use an exhaust fan, as some types of wood smoke heavily and can cause allergies and respiratory irritation.

Wood burning is a fun and rewarding activity. It will allow you to relax after a hard day at work, teach children perseverance and accuracy, and decorate your home with unique works.

Video review of the burning station

Video about drawing transfer and wood burning process

Pyrography is popular not only among children, but also among adults. Under the influence electric current The tip is heated, which the craftsmen move over the surface being treated. As a result, dark brown patterns appear on a light background. Today, beginning pyrographers and experienced professionals use two types of devices in their work.

1. Electric burners with wire tips are distinguished by their rapid heating and cooling. Within a few seconds after switching on, you can begin the process. Most often, such devices have power adjustment, which allows you to choose optimal mode heat treatment. Thin nichrome wire, which is the tip of the device, is designed to make precise lines. The disadvantages of this type of burner include higher price and difficulty of repair.
2. Models with solid tips look like regular electric soldering irons. But unlike these devices for soldering metals, burners have removable attachments. Their number can reach 20 or more pieces, it all depends on the purpose of the device and its price. The disadvantages of soldering iron models include long heating and cooling times (from 5 minutes), inconvenient handles that do not allow thin types works

Our review includes the best wood burners. The rating was compiled taking into account reviews from professional pyrographers and parents of novice pyrographers.

Top 10 best wood burners

10 Pattern-10k

Good choice for beginners
Country Russia
Average price: 730 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.4

The ranking of the best opens with the compact burner Uzor-10k in a shock-resistant plastic case. The user has access to 2 temperature modes, thanks to which you can draw shadows and a gradient. It only takes a minute to heat up, which is great for impatient artists. I am glad that the device is suitable for both adults and children from 6 years old. The buttons are easy to switch, nothing gets twisted or broken. Boards must be purchased separately. The device costs a little more than its competitors, but also lasts longer: from 3 years with regular use.

Reviews call the device good, but complain about the lack of replaceable attachments. You need to give it a rest every 15 minutes, otherwise the handle gets very hot. The cord is long, but does not twist well at the base. To achieve clear lines you need to press hard on the board, this is difficult for children. No holder for hot device. According to the principle of action, it most closely resembles the burners from childhood. The needle is thick, making it difficult to draw a thin line. Adults do not have enough high heating mode; one picture takes a lot of time.

9 REXANT 12-0183

Suitable for creating complex designs
Country Russia
Average price: 490 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.5

REXANT 12-0183 is one of the few in the rating that is capable of creating works of art and complex paintings. The attachments heat up in a few minutes; tweezers are included for replacement. The set contains 6 tips, including a laser, secured with screws. A convenient stand has been added; a hot device will not damage the surface. The cord is very soft, rotates at the base, but is short. All parts are assembled without burrs and fitted correctly, something that many children’s burners cannot boast of.

Reviews say that the device is also used as a soldering iron. Many people note the ergonomic handle, but complain about the sting. With prolonged use, it becomes loose and has to be secured with pliers. The power cord is heavier than the unit, so care must be taken not to tip it off the stand. The device is not suitable for children; beginner adults can also choose a simpler model. The kit is missing a loop attachment. A power indicator would be nice, as there are reviews of the device being left behind and forgotten to work.

8 LORI Burning set

Everything you need in one set
Country Russia
Average price: 555 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.5

The LORI company produces several dozen burning sets with different pictures. Inside there is everything you need to get started. The burning device is equipped with several attachments that place dots and have a laser tip. The device comes with instructions that recommend it for children aged 6 years and older and beginner adults. There are Disney pictures to choose from that can be framed after finishing the work (added to the set). However, the board is not of the highest quality; it is a little rough to the touch. This results in crooked lines. You cannot sand the plywood, otherwise the design will be erased.

Reviews warn that heating lasts about 5 minutes. The device is very simple, only 3 spare parts that last a long time. There is dissatisfaction with the wire; it does not rotate at the base and gets twisted. The device itself is comfortable to hold. The attachments are installed with forceps; children cannot handle this. There is a small disc on the tip to prevent the hot pen from damaging the surfaces. However, it is small and round and often rolls away. Not all nozzles are of equal quality; some of them practically do not burn out.

7 Sparta 913225

Powerful amateur device
Country Russia
Average price: 590 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.6

Sparta 913225 deserves to be called the best, since for its price it offers 6 attachments and convenient stand. The 30 W power allows you to quickly warm up the tip, and the indentations on the handle ensure comfortable use. The case is made of plastic that can withstand drops. However electrical part fears mechanical impact, it is this that is the weakest in the design. The attachments are made of metal and have a laser tip for small parts. The device is designed for adults and allows you to draw pictures with many details.

The reviews talk about successful design device, noting that it is very convenient to use. The hand does not get tired after several hours of work. However, the kit does not include blanks for burning. This device lasts for several years of service, then the electronics break down. When using, it is important to turn off and cool the device every 10-15 minutes. The handle also gets a little warm, and temperature conditions No.

6 The Last Hero

Simple and complex drawings for children of different ages
Country Russia
Average price: 1,500 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.7

The Last Hero is a large set with drawings of varying complexity, created for children aged 6 years and older. The manufacturer assures that the paint on the plywood does not release when burned harmful substances, and during combustion it does not show out. The kit is the best for those who like to draw a lot, as it offers not only ready-made pictures, but also blank boards. They can be filled with designs from online burning libraries. A power of 20 W is enough for children's creativity, but it will not be possible to create complex shadows and transitions. Owners warn that the device takes 5 minutes to warm up. The body itself is made of plastic with buttons for adjusting the temperature.

It takes up to 5 minutes to cool down; this is important to consider if the child draws outside the home. Parents warn that there is a high risk of forgetting and putting a hot device in a backpack or desk drawer. The pluses include the well-known drawings from the Russian film made by Disney. Many people recommend the set for children aged 8 years and older who can confidently hold a pen. It is recommended to purchase burning boards with pictures from this company. However, the final price is daunting, especially when compared with budget competitors.

5 BONDIBON WITH Board and Paints

Best price
Country: China
Average price: 885 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.7

An inexpensive BONDIBON burner with a board and paints will be a wonderful gift for children aged 8 years and older. Even adults, showing children the basic techniques of work, get carried away by the creative process. The device is easy to use and comes with an elegant stand. In addition, the manufacturer placed a wooden board in the box on which the outline of the design was applied. To perfectly burn out different elements of the picture, there are 3 additional attachments. When the main work of burning is completed, paints (6 colors) and a brush will help give the masterpiece a finished look.

Consumers highlight several positive qualities burner BONDIBON with board and paints. The device is affordable, carefully made, and has everything you need for the first steps in burning. Among the disadvantages, users highlight long heating time and not the most comfortable handle.

4 Dreamer Long Journey

The best amateur soldering iron burner
Country Russia
Average price: RUB 1,177.
Rating (2019): 4.7

The Dreamer burner provides ample opportunities for creativity for young cabinetmakers. The principle of operation of the device is similar to a conventional soldering iron, only the tip (tip) can be changed depending on the type of work. The set includes 6 nozzles with different shapes stings They have a threaded base, which allows you to quickly change the tip. In addition to replaceable attachments, the manufacturer equipped the device with a steel stand, plywood, copy paper and sandpaper. After reading the instructions, you can immediately begin the creative process. It should be noted that the device takes a long time to heat up, which is typical for all soldering iron models.

Users note such advantages of the Fantasy burner as good equipment, the presence of additional attachments, affordable price. Among the disadvantages, parents highlight the long heating time and lack of power adjustment.

3 PATTERN-1

The most versatile burner
Country Russia
Average price: 1,140 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.8

Electric wood burner Uzor-1 is a universal device. It is used by professional artists, children, and home craftsmen. The device can be found in schools during labor lessons, in art houses, craftsmen's workshops, etc. The needle-type working part is easily removed and installed, which allows you to replace the heating element without additional tools.

Tips must be purchased separately. The small package package is considered the main disadvantage of the device. In addition to wood, the device successfully copes with decorating materials such as nylon, tulle, nylon, polyester, and artificial silk. Thanks to its ease of use, any child in the middle age group can master wood burning.

2 STAYER 45227

The richest set of attachments
A country: Germany (manufactured in China)
Average price: 907 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.9

The STAYER 45227 electric burner has the richest set of attachments in our review. The soldering iron type device is designed for experienced craftsmen, which will find application for each of the 20 tips. With their help you can decorate not only wooden surfaces, but also genuine leather. Replacing the tip is not difficult; the element is simply unscrewed with pliers, and then a new nozzle is screwed in. The burner has a pleasant ergonomic handle and compact dimensions. The set includes a convenient metal stand, 2 knives for thermal cutting and a plastic case.

Professionals and fans of burning speak flatteringly about the STAYER 45227 device. It is compact and convenient, equipped with a large set of attachments, allowing you to perform the most complex species works The only disadvantages include prolonged heating and cooling.

1 Elm

Best quality
Country Russia
Average price: 1,030 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.9

The Vyaz device has excellent manufacturing quality. The device is designed for burning designs and relief compositions into wood. Thanks to its compactness and safe design, children aged 8 years and older can work with it. The device comes with a spare needle and simple drawings for the first steps in burning. The degree of heating can be adjusted; there is a power switch on the body. The stand is also conveniently made; it is part of the plastic case.

You can find many reviews on the Internet where parents report their children’s indescribable delight with the Vyaz burner. Working with wood is mastered extremely quickly due to the simplicity of the device, compactness, reliability and quality manufacturing. The disadvantages include a limited set of additional attachments.

First steps

The most important thing is to learn how to control the pen and feel the features of the wood surface. It is much more useful to understand how precise straight lines are drawn than to constantly try to correct errors made during work. Of course, skill comes only with experience, so it requires constant and long-term exercise.

It is better to start with small items and gradually move on to larger ones. This will help you get more comfortable with your equipment and learn how to use it correctly. Take wooden spoons or spatulas, burning simple linear patterns on them that do not require chiaroscuro, trying to give your design texture and volume through varied shading. You can also start with key chains, egg cups, or other small items. Even if you ruin the item, throwing a plywood butterfly into the trash is not as bad as, for example, a watch in a wooden case. In addition, work on small objects will teach you how to handle feathers of different sizes.

Start working from the top of the intended drawing, making short, light strokes. Movements should be smooth. Work slowly: wood takes time to darken when exposed to temperature. At first you will end up with blots and uneven lines, so you'll have to practice.

The hardest thing for beginners is to learn how to burn evenly. Often their pictures look uneven and dirty. If you are facing this problem, take heart. It's not just you who's having a hard time at first, and there are a few things that can help you overcome these difficulties.

First of all, we must remember that upon first contact with the surface the pen will be hotter than during the subsequent burning of the stroke. This happens because some of the heat is absorbed by the material you are burning into. This fact determines the most common problem for all pyrographers: how to prevent blots from appearing from the moment you first touch the surface with the pen until it cools enough to create a straight line.

This problem has two solutions. The first is movement and speed. The movement keeps the hot pen from staying in one place and burning a hole before you can get your hand to move. Imagine that your pen is a plane landing on the runway. During the first second after touching the surface, you will need to move the pen a little faster before all the heat is absorbed by the material. Then you need to slow down the movement of the pen to a speed that will make it possible to burn evenly across this material. When the time comes to complete the stroke, you just need to continue moving, while simultaneously lifting the pen from the surface so that it does not remain in one place for even a split second and does not burn holes at the end of the line. And again imagine the feather as an airplane, which was still running along the runway and takes off at the end of the line you need (Fig. 8).

Rice. 8. Pen in motion.

The second method of preventing blots is to gently blow on the pen before touching the surface. This will cool the pen, and when it is on the surface and in motion, the heating temperature will return.

Perhaps, when reading the introductory material, some actions seem too difficult, but pyrography, like any craft, requires skill. So it will take practice before the art of wielding a red-hot pen becomes second nature. Take scraps of some material and practice making strokes, straight and curved lines, choosing different feathers. Soon, blots will be a thing of the past. By the way, when working with a pyrograph with a solid nozzle, problems with blots are usually less common.

When performing the first simple exercise, you need to follow two rules:

1. Don’t write with a pyrograph, even if you really want to. Perhaps the very shape of its handle provokes this: it seems that you are holding an ordinary pencil in your hand. But at least to begin with, don’t write.

2. Don't draw or try to depict anything.

In other words, at first you only need to make a few strokes. Without changing the temperature of the working tip, draw several lines and place several dots. There are many ways to do this. For example, if you lightly touch the wood with a hot tip, without pressing, drag it across the surface, you will get a thin, fairly light line. If you apply light pressure and drag it more slowly, you will get a darker, wider line.

It naturally follows that the thickness of the line depends on the speed with which you move the pyrograph tip over the wood and the pressure you apply to its surface. Try to burn it out as much as possible more lines of varying thickness and brightness.

If you press the pen too hard on the wood while working, the heating element will most likely bend. Don't be intimidated by this, give it its original shape by pressing it onto a scrap piece of wood. Nichrome wire very flexible and you are unlikely to break it.

Having mastered simple strokes, free of blots, try to burn out as many lines of varying thickness and brightness as possible, gradually weaving the lines into complex curved patterns (Fig. 9).

The speed at which you move the pen will determine how dark or light the line will be. Naturally, the faster you move the pen across the surface, the less time it is in contact with the material and the lighter it burns. The slower you move, the darker the burn will be.

Rice. 9. Simple exercises for beginner pyromasters.

If you have a device with constant temperature, you will not be able to increase or decrease the temperature. Pen speed will be the only thing in an accessible way make the burning darker or lighter.

If you have a device with a temperature controller, you can make the pen hotter or colder, but there is a certain danger in this. You will be tempted to move it a little bit each time, by tiny divisions, when you want to burn a little darker or lighter. There's really no need for this. It's better to use a regulator to set average temperature required for burning this material or performing a certain technique. When the pen temperature is in this range, then you can use the speed of the tool to make the burn mark darker or lighter.

You need to adjust the temperature for each pen you use separately. Different feathers are made from different quantities metal, so they need to be heated differently. If you did not change the power of the source when changing the pen, it may turn out to be too large or, conversely, too small to burn the same surface.