Pyrography Help?

[richard poitras]

I am looking for information on how to learn the art form of Pyrography. If anyone that has done this type of work can recommend the best possible places, books, DVD’s and such on how to learn this kind of work it would be appreciated.
Also if anyone has some DVD's to learn from that they don’t use any more let me know I would be interested in purchasing them.

Thanks Richard

[Kevin Godshall]

Here is where I started when I was doing some wood burning:
http://www.woodburner.com/lesson1.html

Looks like the site has changed a bit, but I think you can still get the information you need. Try Googling "how to do pyrography" or "how to do woodburning art", you should find a lot of help on many different levels

[Harry Hill]

Cheryl Dow has excellent instructions on her DVDs. well worth the purchase.
http://www.cherylddow.com/

Other web sites with terrific information. I have bought several DVDs from these experts and they all have something different and useful to contribute:
http://www.suewalters.com/
http://www.pyrographyonline.com/
http://www.nedraspyrography.com/
http://www.woodburner.com/news.php

I use this equipment for burning:
http://www.detailmasteronline.com/

I was trying to find the web site that talks about pyrography on paper but was unable to find it. It may be found in one of the good books written by one of the experts (I have bought several). You use a heavy paper used for water color painting. Have fun - this is a great craft!

[Jon McElwain]

Here are a couple of threads from over in the Turners Forum from folks doing pyrography on their bowls and hollow forms:

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?157953-Pyrography&highlight=burn
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?159550-Vases-with-Pyrography&highlight=
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?160022-Maple-Platter-w-Crystal-Mineral-Inlays-amp-Woodburning

I am by no means any sort of authority on the subject, but I have found that lots of practice with various tips and various materials helps. Try repeating patterns, making smooth lines, smooth curves, various temps, etc. Different woods burn more consistently than others, different parts of the wood burn faster or slower based on what part of the growth ring you are burning (soft woods have a marked difference), different tips move across the wood with more or less effort, etc. etc.

I don't have any good DVD, book, or website sources for you, but I wish you luck!

[richard poitras]

Thanks for all the tips and leads guys. Harry I wish I checked into this earlier due to the fact Cheryl Dow used to put on

classes only about 2 hours away from my location, but now is retired from what I have read on the web.

Thanks Richard