The Art of Wood Burning

Slides

What is Pyrography?

"Pyrography" from Ancient Greek meaning
"Writing With Fire"

Every Pyrography artwork is entirely handmade. The color is the result of the burns on the wood, depending on the intensity made by the red-hot tip of the pyrography tool.

Pyrography (from the ancient greek: “to write with fire”) is the art of engraving, imprinting, or impressing any natural, raw material (wood, leather, or cork) using a hot-red iron tip. This art has been used since ancient times.

With this technique, the design comes to life through the natural knots and veins of the wood, in an extraordinary game of light and shadow, transforming even the most ordinary piece of wood into an unrepeatable and unique work of art.

Something that contributes to the uniqueness of this art is the unmistakable perfume of the wood as it’s being released during the burning process. An absolutely marvelous aroma.

History of Pyrography

Pyrography, the art of burning or scorching on a natural surface was an art form practiced since the dawn of recorded time by Egyptian and African tribesmen fascinated by the mysterious beauty and power of fire. Defined in traditional terms, pyrography is the art of drawing with fire; using a heated tip or wire to burn or scorch designs onto natural surfaces such as wood and leather.

In the late 19th Century, Melbourne architect Alfred Smart discovered a way to pump benzoline fumes through a heated hollow platinum pencil in order to improve upon the pokerwork process and allowing the addition of tinting and shading that previously were impossible. In the early 20th century, the development of the electric pyrographic hot wire wood etching machine further automated the pokerwork process.

Modern day pyrography is typically done with solid-point tools, which resemble but are more sophisticated than soldering irons or hot wire tools. These tools are electrically heated by equipment that may allow temperatures to be adjusted, thereby producing a great range of natural tones and shades. Subtle or bold effects may be achieved, depending on many factors, including heat, pressure, type of wood or surface, and tool tips used.