How to properly burn a design on wood. Suitable wood for burning. Wood burning - an old new art

Wood burning or pyrography is one of the 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 Currently, there are more and more people who like to decorate their homes, and twigs have been replaced by special devices with which lines are drawn on wood different thicknesses and color saturation.

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 and has optimal temperature heating and interchangeable nozzles, which significantly expand the artistic capabilities of the master.

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.

It's better to buy for testing inexpensive model with a hard pen. If you are interested in the activity seriously, it is available for sale. wide choose devices for wood burning with a wire pen.

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 complex pattern 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 pad 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

Pyrography is the process of burning wood and fixing the applied pattern using a special device. IN Lately This well-already forgotten art is gaining popularity again. This good way For modern man relieve stress, take a break from the everyday hustle and bustle, while simultaneously creating decorative interior details and more with your own hands. Learning to woodburn for beginners is not as difficult as it seems at first glance.

The art of wood burning has gained popularity in Russia in late XIX century. It was mainly used to decorate nesting dolls. It is believed that the birthplace of decorative burning is Peru. However, in one form or another pyrography appeared in the culture of, perhaps, all nations.

The first wood burning apparatus was cumbersome and imperfect. It operated on gasoline, which guaranteed sufficient heating of the platinum needle. For uninterrupted operation the foreman had to ensure a constant supply of fuel; I adjusted it with a foot pedal. The process was quite labor intensive.

The moment came when the burning technique was replaced by decorative painting. However, many craftsmen continued to decorate household items (boxes, chests, jugs) using their favorite technique.

Features of modern devices

The main tool for work, the pyrograph (burning apparatus) is the most important detail during the burning process. Modern equipment different from previous years' models. Previously, the unit was a small box and a soldering iron with tips in the form of a paper clip. The modern device is more complex. Which burner to choose depends on the individual preferences of the master. Each of the devices has its own pros and cons.

Disadvantages of modern pyrographs:

  • long heating and cooling times;
  • risk of burnout during long-term use;
  • uncomfortable handles in some models.

Wire units have their own disadvantages:

  • high price;
  • expensive repairs;
  • needles require frequent replacement;
  • difficulties in finding spare parts.

Many craftsmen are trying to make tips for a burning soldering iron from wire at home. However, some experience is required to perform such procedures. Beginners are advised to limit themselves to factory copies.

The most primitive burning device consists of several required elements:

  • a step-down transformer;
  • lever;
  • various attachments (feathers, filaments).

In hobby and creative supply stores you can purchase a burning machine, necessary materials and even ready-made pyrography kits. So, For decorative wood burning you will need:

Many novice craftsmen are interested in whether it is possible to burn wood with a soldering iron. Of course you can, this is the easiest way to make patterns at home. However, we must take into account that the work will require several soldering irons of different diameters.

The best boards for pyrography are made of deciduous trees(maple, linden, oak, alder). Less suitable conifers, since they are sometimes difficult to clean from resin. The board should not have noticeable flaws - knots, cracks, etc.

At self-training work surface you need to sand the board with fine sandpaper and rub it with a mixture of water and chalk in a 1:1 ratio, then dry it thoroughly.

Wood burning for beginners is a simple and fun process. As in any business, there are some peculiarities and rules here that must be followed:

In order to master the art of pyrography to perfection and learn how to burn wood correctly, you should not stop at initial stages works discussed in the article. It is recommended to familiarize yourself with educational video lessons on the topic, you can visit special courses. It is important to remember that, like any applied activity, pyrography requires constant practice and honing of skills. The result will not be long in coming.

Wood burning is a very common skill today. Not only children, but also adults are interested in it. And this is not just like that, because during this activity the ingenuity, imagination and, of course, the skill of the person (child) are manifested. Today we will talk about how to burn wood for beginners. For those who do not know how to burn, this article will show and tell you how to learn.

Also, when choosing a burning tool, many people ask the question: “Is it possible to burn wood with a soldering iron?” The answer is: the most important thing is that the soldering iron itself is powerful, then you can use it to burn. But it is better, of course, to purchase a special device, since it already has suitable power, and the kit includes additional attachments. With their help, burning will be even easier.

Let's start with a portrait

Burning out a portrait is not so easy. The most important thing is to correctly and efficiently transfer the drawing from the photo to the base.

As already mentioned, first you need to transfer the portrait from a photo or from life to wood. He should look like the person you decided to paint a portrait of.

Then we begin the burning process itself. All thick tips were used for this portrait. In the end, this is what happened:

Create an angel

This master class will describe step by step process creating a scorched picture, which we will call “Angel”.

The following tools and equipment are required for work:

  • Plywood or wood;
  • Burnout apparatus;
  • Ready drawn template;
  • Copy paper;
  • Drill;
  • File;
  • Jigsaw;
  • Stain;
  • Frame;
  • PVA glue.

First of all, you need to make a template. We look for a suitable picture on the Internet and print it in the size you need. Next, we cut out or buy a sheet of plywood, which will later be the base.


We transfer the printed template to the base.

Then you need to cut out the necessary parts. To do this, first we use a drill and use it to make holes. In the future we will insert a file into them and cut them out. First of all, we cut out the most small parts, we are gradually moving to larger ones. After that, we take a burning device and make touches around the office.

Substrate under finished work covered with stain. The color is chosen at your discretion. We glue the finished parts with PVA glue. Then we insert the finished picture into the frame and after that apply a layer of varnish.

That's it, the painting “Angel” is completely ready.

Easy lesson

  • Plywood sheet;
  • Burning apparatus;
  • Sketch (drawing);
  • Copy paper;
  • A simple black pencil;
  • Watermelon (pumpkin) seeds;
  • Scotch;
  • Paints;
  • Brush;
  • Sandpaper.

So let's get started with the process.

First, let's prepare the base. We take a sheet of plywood of the size we need and sand it with sandpaper. The surface must be flat and smooth.

We select a drawing online and print it out. Afterwards, using carbon paper we transfer it to plywood.

Advice! To prevent the carbon copy with the design from moving, you can secure them with pieces of tape.

We transfer the drawing to the base. This is what should happen. Be sure to check that all lines have been drawn.


Here we come to the burning process itself. Let the burning device heat up, and then burn along the drawn contour.

After burning the outline, you need to color the drawing. We do this carefully.

The work is almost ready. All that remains is to make a frame using glue and seeds. We remove our work until it dries completely.

This way you can burn the following:

  • Various paintings;
  • Logos;
  • Various inscriptions;
  • Patterns.

And all this can actually be done at home. After all, this skill does not require special expensive equipment as such.

Lush flowers

For work you will need the following tools and materials:

  • Clear nail polish;
  • Brush;
  • Burnout apparatus;
  • Eraser;
  • A sheet of plywood of the required size;
  • carbon copy;
  • Sandpaper.

How to perform burning correctly?

To begin with, we select and decide on a pattern. Print it out on a piece of paper. Then we take a sheet of plywood of the size we need.


Before transferring the drawing onto the base, it is necessary to level it. How to do this correctly? To do this, take sandpaper and sand the base.

We place carbon paper on the prepared base, and on top of it a sheet with a design. To prevent the paper and sheet from moving, we suggest securing them to the plywood. We translate the drawing.

Check to see if all the lines are printed. Here's the drawing that came out:

We plug the burning device into the outlet and wait for it to heat up. Then we carefully begin to burn the design along the contour.

After the outline is burned out, you need to fill in the background. We do this with strokes that are parallel to each other.

To make our picture look more neat, we suggest you decorate it with a frame made of watermelon seeds. All that remains is to coat the finished work with varnish.

Our ancient ancestors also practiced burning; their tool was a nail heated on fire. Despite such ancient origins, pilography has not lost its relevance to this day.

If you asked yourself this question, then you are a creative person. People who practice this type of art are called pilographs. Pylography is hot drawing. This activity is akin to meditation, requiring perseverance and concentration. Do-it-yourself burning will bring a lot of pleasure and take your mind off household chores. Contemplating the finished work, you will feel proud of your work and the work done, which, in turn, will become a wonderful decoration for your home or a gift for the people you love. Wood burning looks great on wooden furniture, fits very harmoniously into any interior. Wood burning is very useful for children. The development of fine motor skills of the fingers contributes to the baby’s mental development, and perseverance and patience developed during work will help your child in his studies.

How to learn wood burning?

To do this you will need a sketch on paper or any other comfortable material, burning boards, burning apparatus. A sketch for you can be any object: a drawing, a photograph, a painting. The boards can be made of linden, birch, maple, oak, alder and even special cardboard. The burning device is a simple electrical device consisting of: a voltage regulator, plastic handle(most often, but can also be made of another material), pin or feather - this is a bent wire that is heated electric shock. And, of course, you can’t do it without inspiration, the desire to work and regular practice.

How to burn correctly?

To do this, we prepare the board, clean it with fine sandpaper, rub it with a solution of chalk and water, dry it and the board is ready for work. You can only burn on dry wood! We take the handle of the device in right hand(if you are right handed) like a pencil, wait a little like As soon as the feather turns red, it’s time to get to work. Be sure to have a fireproof stand on hand. The hot pin should not touch the table or other surfaces. Compliance with safety regulations - required condition, especially if a child is working.

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 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, 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, 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 pad 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