Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 25

Thread: Playing with fire... sort of

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Enid, Oklahoma
    Posts
    6,741

    Playing with fire... sort of

    After seeing some of the pyro work posted here and elsewhere, I stopped in Hobby Lobby and bought the cheapest woodburning kit they had. I've got all of about $20 invested in my setup, but I didn't want to drop a fortune on a new tool only to find out that I hated the process. After playing with it for a bit, I think I like pyrography... I'm still not convinced that I need to upgrade, but I'm sure that comes with time and experience.

    Here are a couple of shots of a finished piece and one of a practice doodle. Both are bradford pear and finished only with BLO at this point. The vase form is about 4 or 5 inches tall with a blackwood collar. I used a little India ink to darken the stippled areas.

    Comments, criticism, and advice greatly appreciated. I'd love to know about any online tutorials for pyrography techniques that may exist, too.
    bradford-pear-pyro-2.jpgbradford-pear-pyro-1.jpgpyro-practice.jpg

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Gainesville, AL
    Posts
    473
    Hey that looks great!
    David

  3. Well, we have another "R......teeeest" among us! Nice work, Doc!!! I think you did great for your first...........that would be good for your 50th! Love that bradford pear HF!
    Remember, in a moments time, everything can change!

    Vision - not just seeing what is, but seeing what can be!




  4. #4
    My God, man... you have the hands of a surgeon!!!!! Nice work, and I love the hanging tire..... where did those days go???
    Thanks for posting! I'll try to catch up to you guys in a yr or 2.
    mj
    Last edited by Michael James; 02-07-2011 at 7:53 PM. Reason: for fun

  5. #5
    Nice work, David, and that top shot of the vase form is really neat!! I think you have found a niche!

  6. #6
    Very nice David. I have started experimenting with burning and like you I think I like it. I really like that shot from the top.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Pleasanton, California
    Posts
    730
    Wow. That is really nice. Not even considering it is your first attempts, that is Really nice!!

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Sunrise Beach, MO
    Posts
    1,153
    David,
    Let's see.....does this make you a pyromaniac, nah, just a guy with some great artistic talent. Must be that steady surgeons hand at work. I like both pieces, but the Bradford Pear is really nice. Well done.
    Regards, Ken

    Become a Contributor at SMC and keep this great source of Knowledge and help from becoming only a memory.

  9. #9
    I really like the vase with the leaf design around the opening. I like burning when it's used to create a design or pattern like that. As for the other, I'm just not as big a fan of the picture burned onto the wood style of burning. Everyone starts somewhere though and I'm sure both are much better than I could do. I expect in a few more practice runs we'll all be going 'oooh and ahhhh'.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Fresno, Ca
    Posts
    4,032
    Ya know...if you weren't and MD your hands wouldn't be that good...look at mine!! Just upgrade and get it over with...your a natural!!
    Your Respiratory Therapist wears combat boots

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Chesterfield, VA
    Posts
    1,332
    David, those are great works there and someone will be very lucky to have 'em. Good work on both of them!

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Green Valley, Az.
    Posts
    1,202
    That's your first attempt at burning? Terrific!. A few thoughts....you can get by with 2 or 3 pens but you'll get more. To avoid over-burning spots when using the skew, use the pen like an airplane landing and taking off. Razertip makes some great ball tipped pens for texturing. Different pens will use a different amount of heat so be aware of that. The pen gets hot so I use a golf glove when burning. Helps a little. I have 2 each of my most used pens so I can switch off. I have perhaps a dozen pens but seldom use most of them...sort of like turning tools. I have at least 50 and most gather dust.

    There are some good books out on pyrography. I found that it helped to get at least one.

    Pyrography is fun. You're obviously an artistic guy so you'll do well. Makes a lot of smoke as you've found out, so use a fan to take it away.

    Wally

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Enid, Oklahoma
    Posts
    6,741
    Thanks to all for the kind words of encouragement.

    Wally, you have to know that your work is a major inspiration for this kind of embellishment... In fact, the backside of the 'tire swing' doodle has an area of where I tried to mimic your signature giraffe pattern. My result was less than stellar, and that's a pretty kind assessment. Thanks for the tip on the skew. Any particular book that you feel would be appropriate for a pyro newbie?

  14. #14
    very nice, thanks for sharing

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    sLower Delaware
    Posts
    5,464
    That is impressive! The vase looks great.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •