Learn to burn: illuminate your pyrographic art with mixed media, gilding and more.

Learn to burn: illuminate your pyrographic art with mixed media, gilding and more.

Cherry Ferris throws open the world of wood burning with a new art-led approach, and shows you how to use different media and materials to set off your pyrographic artwork.

Packed with encouraging, practical and insightful advice on pursuing your own artistic path, this book covers everything you need to draw with fire – whether you are an experienced pyrographer or want to expand your horizons with a new medium.

Pyrography is the art of burning a design into wood using a heated metallic point.

Most books on the market take a fairly traditional approach to the subject, limited to using pure burning onto a range of wooden surfaces. The Art of Pyrography goes far beyond this. Cherry Ferris takes the subject to new heights, incorporating mixed media, unusual supports and innovative techniques to elevate the craft to an artform.

The book is suitable for beginners as well as more advanced pyrographers, and is well-suited to artists from other media who want to experiment with new ideas and incorporate pyrography into their practice. Pyrography machines are easily obtainable from online suppliers and major craft stores.

The Art of Pyrography begins with an overview and history of the subject, a tools and equipment section, an introduction to the basic techniques and information on surfaces that you can safely burn. The book moves onto how to transfer designs onto surfaces and incorporate a mixed media approach by looking at shading techniques, introducing colour into your work, playing with backgrounds and how to finish, protect and display your finished pieces. Four shorter mini burns complement ten longer step-by-step projects that walk the reader through the techniques and materials used. A troubleshooting and safety section is also included, making this a one-stop shop to get all your pyrography questions answered.

Chapters include:

• Colour: Incorporating coloured pencils, paint, and inks
• Using resin to finish your work – which results in a beautiful glass-like finish
• Using gold leaf to add a touch of magic.