How to Cross Hatch and Add Texture in Wood Burning

Wood burning art is also called pyrography. Creating artworks by wood burning is a rather primal creative outlet in that the artist uses the primordial energy of fire to craft his pieces. Putting texture into a piece gives the work depth. Cross hatching uses intersecting diagonal or parallel lines to shade the wood burning piece.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Sketch the picture on a sheet of paper. Drawing is the first step in the creation of the wood burning design.

2. Practice crafting the design by burning it onto a good quality piece of paper. Using paper to work out the design also gives the artist the chance to develop the finesse needed to burn directly onto wood.

3. Burn a cross-hatching texture into wood by burning a series of lines into the surface. These lines should be evenly spaced to demonstrate the artist's control of his tool. Cross hatching in wood burning is the same as cross hatching in drawing.

4. Start the texture-adding process with the most important area. For example, the eyes would be the most important spot to begin a portrait or rendition of an animal.

5. Increase the heat to more quickly generate the darker areas. Artists have to use caution, especially in the darker areas, as the material can burn.

6. Develop the darker areas last. The cross hatching in the darker areas requires the artist to burn the cross-hatching lines very closely together. If not careful, an artist can ruin the design by running the lines together and creating a burned out area.