Lifelike
Pyrography From Photographs
by Nedra Denison
Softcover
Ring bound
215 x 280mm
66pp
Published by Nedra Denison, Waco Texas, USA
R.R.P.$35.90
As reviewed in The Australian Woodworker Issue 129
Nedra Denison, the author of Lifelike Pyrography from Photographs, says in her Introduction, that from the time she started woodburning, she had difficulty finding suitable material to use as a pattern.
This is a problem which will be familiar to many pyrographers. Denison overcame it by developing a technique for using photographs as the basis for her work.
The essentials of her technique are described in Chapter 6 of the book. In a series of carefully illustrated steps she shows how she created a pyrographic image of a dog's head from a photo.
Work begins with the transfer of the basic outlines within the photo onto her workpiece. Once done, she then burns the images for the eyes which she says are of such importance that if they don't come out well, the piece is thrown out or sanded, so as to start over.
Next comes the laying in tone on the chest which is the lowest layer. So the description progresses - through a sequence of 12 drawings - until the image is finished.
The beginning of the book is absorbed with a discussion of supplies and tools, materials and preparation and two chapters on tips and techniques.
Chapter 7, the largest, builds on the information provided in Chapter 6, giving a detailed, step by step description, again well illustrated, of the the pyrographic rendition of a portrait (this time, a photo of Mel Gibson).
The book ends with a page of important points to remember and a small library of the author's work.
This is a practical, self-help book rather than a text on pyrography and should appeal to anyone seeking to expand the range of options available to them in their approach to their work.
Photos: Black & White
Contents
Introduction
Supplies
and Tools
All the supplies you will need, burning tools and pens.
Burning
Materials and Preparation
What you can burn on and proper preparation
for burning
Creating
your Pattern and Putting it on Wood
Turning your photograph in to a pattern
and transferring it to your wood.
Burning
Tips and Tricks
Discover how to start your burning, how to burn in layers
to create depth to your work, burning eyes, fixing mistakes, adding color, finishing
your artwork, creating your own style, the care and feeding of your woodburner,
sources of supplies, where you can find clubs and classes.
Mastering
Your Technique
The touchdown and landing, using a light touch, temperature,
lines and shading.
Pyrography
Gallery and The Original
Photo Ben, Cat Under Blanket, American Pride,
Madison, John Wayne, President George Bush
Work
in Progress
See the progress from the beginning to end of a dog portrait
done from a photograph
Photo for your Project Pattern
Step-by-Step
of a Human Portrait
Step-by-Step instructions for doing a portrait of
Mel Gibson
Important Points to Remember