Pyrography

“Drawing with fire”

Pyrography, also known as pokerwork or wood burning is a traditional technique dating back to well before the First Century AD, where objects were decorated using fire-heated metal rods.

The art is where marks are burnt onto wood by hand using either a pyrography iron or even sunlight concentrated with a magnifying glass. The metal nib and range of temperature enables a variety of tones and shades, making it similar to illustrating with a pencil. Light woods such a sycamore, beech and birch work well as their fine grain allows an even burn.