Pyro- a combining form meaning “fire,” “heat,” “high temperature,” used in the formation of compound words....a technique of producing images. (dictionary.com)
graphy- process or form of drawing, writing, representing, recording, describing, etc., or an art or science concerned with such a process. (dictionary.com)
Well then, when you break the word down it is rather self explanatory even if the pronunciation is pai-raa-gruh-fee instead of how I said it for years "pyro"-"graphy". I still have to pause to say it correctly! Lol
Back to what it is: Burning images or writing on usually wood, (commonly referred to as wood-burning) but can also be done on leather, or even canvas or paper, though the later two are quite fragile.
The burning can be achieved by multiple methods and tools. I have seen examples of some extraordinary work done with a magnifying glass and the sun, a torch and even heating up pointed metal objects (like nails or knives) red hot, then applying to the wood to burn an impression. Branding irons are another example. Most common burning tools used for the art is a basic soldering iron or a variable heat pen. The soldering iron type may have a pointed wedge shape tip, that when held in various positions can achieve both finer and wide lines. The major drawbacks are lack of heat control and difficulty in achieving fine details. I find a variable heat pen system to work best for my pyrography art. The heat settings give me control over how dark or light I am burning and the multiple pens or interchangeable pen tips allow for very fine lines, shading and other effects.
Pyrography can be as fundamental as printing some words, simple patterns, or basic stencil work or can be complex designs or original free-hand fine art! It is used for utilitarian purposes, crafts or art it is quite versatile.
Did you have a wood-burning craft kit as a teen or preteen? My husband had one, that parts of it migrated to our home. The kit came with a soldering iron and pieces of thin plywood that had orange pictures stamped on them. The idea was to burn over the stamped picture to create a "burned drawing". The stamped wood didn't give much room for creativity, but I'm sure the tool was used in many home to burn other objects either intentionally or accidentally. Contact me if you have any questions on pyrography.
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