Try It Out! - Wood Burning (Part of Crafting a Creative Summer)

Today we’re taking a quick peek into wood burning! There are two main techniques that can be used when starting out with this craft, wood burning pastes or gel, and wood burning pens.

If you want something fairly simple you may want to try the wood burning pastes, and gels. This version of wood burning uses a specialized paste or gel that is carefully applied to the wood in the design of your choice, allowed to sit for a few minutes then using a heat gun or torch, you heat the applied paste and your wood burning project comes to life. Overall this version produces quick results and is great when you want to use stencils!

For something that allows for greater artistic expression, more dimension and depth, you may find the more traditional wood burning pen with various soldering tips is right for you. Here you can sketch out your design onto the wood and use a variety of different tips to achieve layers of shading and detail as you slowly create your masterpiece one scorch mark at a time. If you develop your skill you can progress into the more intricate and specialized form of wood burning, pyrography.

[Images consists of a project using wood burning gel/paste on the left and a wood burning pen on the right]

So have you tried wood burning before? What method do you prefer?