How to Wood Burn Art

Wood burning is a craft that gives added dimension to art through the use of a wood-burning tool to carve a pattern into wood. Pine is a good choice for your wood-burning art projects because it is a soft wood that responds well to the wood-burning tool. Wood burning does require time and patience to complete, as well as specific tools. However, with the use of your creativity you can create a wood art project to treasure for years to come.

Things You'll Need

• Wood-burning tool with tips
• Ceramic tile
• Sandpaper, 150 to 180 grit
• Pine wood
• Pencil
• Acrylic paints
• Watercolors
• Colored pencils
• Polyurethane

Instructions

Preparation

1. Plug in your wood-burning tool and stand it up on a non-flammable surface, such as a piece of ceramic tile. Allow the tool to heat for approximately five minutes.

2. Sand the piece of pine wood that you will use for your art project, using a 150 to 180 grit sandpaper, as needed. The dimensions of the wood will depend on the design and the size of the project that you want to create.

3. Draw out your artistic design with pencil on the wood piece.

Wood Burning

1. Burn along all of the lines on the design on your wood with the wood-burning tool tip. Press down firmly enough to make an initial outline of the design.

2. Turn the wood-burning tool blade on its side and press down into the wood with a stronger touch, indenting the wood as deeply as possible with the edge of the tool. Do this along any of the lines in your design that you want to shadow.

3. Re-burn the wood with the tip of the tool again, following any lighter lines that you want to create in your art.

Finishing

1. Use acrylic paints, watercolors or colored pencils to fill in the flat surfaces of the inside of your design that aren't burned. Allow any paint to dry.

2. Spray polyurethane over the entire surface of the wood to seal the color and prevent water damage to the project. Use a water-based polyurethane for quick drying and an oil-based polyurethane for a high gloss.

3. Allow the polyurethane to completely dry before handling.

Tips & Warnings

• Wood-burning tools are very hot. Never allow small children near them and be sure to unplug them when not in use to prevent a fire hazard.

References

• "Classic Carving Patterns"; Wood Burning 101; L. S. Irish

Resources

• The Wood Box: Wood Burning