3 Things You Should Know Before Starting Pyrography: A Beginner’s Guide
Are you fascinated by handcrafted art and love the rustic beauty of wood? Pyrography, also known as wood burning, is a creative and timeless craft where you draw with heat. This beginner-friendly guide introduces you to the magical world of pyrography and shows how you can start your journey or bring home a piece of this unique art form.
✨ What is Pyrography?
Pyrography comes from the Greek words “pyro” (fire) and “graphos” (writing)—meaning “writing with fire.” Artists use heated tools to burn designs into natural surfaces like wood, leather, or bamboo. The result? Intricate artworks full of warmth, texture, and charm.
🔧 3 Tools You Need to Get Started
To begin your pyrography journey, you’ll need:
- A pyrography pen or burner (I use The Razertip SS-D10 pyrography starter kit )
- Wood (birch, basswood, or plywood work well)
- Sandpaper for smooth prep
- Optional: graphite paper, erasers, and safety gloves
But if you’re not ready to invest in tools, don’t worry! you can own a custom pyrography piece made just for you, click here to see my online store offering custom artwork .
🌿 3 Best Wood for Beginners
Not all wood types are equal. For best results, start with:
- Birch – smooth and pale, great for contrast
- Basswood – soft and easy to burn
- Camphor Laurel – beautiful grain with a natural scent (used in my premium artworks!)
Avoid treated or varnished woods! because they can release toxic fumes when burned.
More detailed wood choice guide can see on my another blog post here:
Best Wood for Pyrography: A Guide to Choosing the Right Wood for Wood Burning
🖌 3 Techniques to Try
There are several beginner-friendly techniques you can experiment with:
- Line burning – perfect for outlining designs
- Shading – adds depth using varied pressure and heat
-
Stippling – dots to create texture or gradients
It takes practice, but that’s what makes each piece one of a kind.
🎨 No Time to DIY? Support an Artist Instead
As a pyrography artist based in Australia, I handcraft:
- Custom pet portraits
- Name keyrings (great as wedding favours or gifts)
- Original art pieces for exhibitions and collectors
Every piece is made with love, using traditional wood-burning methods and natural materials.
🛍 Shop Handmade Pyrography Art
If you love meaningful, handcrafted gifts or want to support traditional art, explore my collection online. Whether you're shopping for yourself or looking for a unique gift, each piece tells a story! burned by hand, made to last.
👉 Shop now on my website
🎁 Custom orders welcome!
💡 Final Thoughts
Pyrography is more than a craft!! it's an experience. Whether you want to try it yourself or bring home a handmade artwork, now is the perfect time to explore this fiery art form.
Thank you for supporting handmade, slow art that keeps culture and creativity alive.
Explore more how to do pyrography wood burning art by video
If you'd like to explore this art form, you watch the video by me here: