The
Complete Pyrography
by Stephen Poole
Softcover
210 x 275mm
152pp
Published by Guild of Master Craftsman Publications Ltd, East Sussex UK
R.R.P.$39.90
ISBN 0-946819-76-9
As reviewed in The Australian Woodworker Issue 67
The Complete Pyrography by Stephen Poole couldn't have been released at a better time, considering the recent resurgence of interest in the art of pyrography, ie. burning pictures or designs on wood.
After a brief look at materials and patterns, some of the pyrography tools available and a selection of accessories such as wire cutters, pliers for shaping the hot-wire tip, small screw drivers, pencils, squares, rules, sandpaper and brushes, the book proceeds to describe the steps and techniques in basic and advanced pyrography, creating both textures and designs. Though much of the information can be related to the use of other pyrography tools, it is assumed in the text that the reader is using a hot-wire type of unit or a solid-point machine with interchangeable tips.
The Complete Pyrography commences with a variety of patterns that can be produced by either a hot-wire or solid point machine. These patterns are simple exercises to familiarise the operator with the versatility of the tool, but they also serve as the basis of shading and line effects that are later used to enhance what would otherwise be a simple line drawing of a flower, animal or other object.
The simpler projects are creating pictures of a bunch of grasses, a butterfly, a mouse, blackberry and a flower panel decoration. Advanced projects include a gipsy-style wagon and an English cottage, and there are chapters on using colour with pyrography and working on curved surfaces, ie. Burning patterns on turned items. Each project is well described with full details of the pressure, temperature setting and tool action required for each effect
At the end of the book there is information on finishing and protecting pyrography designs, a short gallery of advanced pyrography designs by professional pyrographers and some pointers on making simple pyrography items for sale.
The Complete Pyrography is an excellent introduction and guide to pyrography and deserves to be in every pyrographer's library.
This book uses wire nib pyrography machine.
Photos: Colour
Contents
Introduction
Materials
Sources for Composition
Tools and Equipment
Constructing Wire Points
Starting Out
The Sampler
A Simple Composition
Tracing and Pyrographing a Butterfly
Producing Lifelike Textures
Shading Techniques
Colour in Pyrography
Pyrography on Woodturned Objects
Advanced Pyrography
Protecting the Finished Pyrograph
Gallery of Pyrography
Marketing and Selling Your Work
Simple Projects to Sell
Index