Editing Pyrography

{{Short description|Art or decoration made from burn marks}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2013}}
{{More citations needed|date=November 2007}}
{{Redirect-distinguish|Wood burning|wood fuel}}
[[File:Pyrography.jpg|thumb|327x327px|The King Wolf, pyrography on olive wood by Roberto Frangioni Piroritrattista Framàr]]
'''Pyrography''' or '''pyrogravure''' is the free handed art of decorating wood or other materials with burn marks resulting from the controlled application of a heated object such as a [[Fireplace poker|poker]]. It is also known as '''pokerwork''' or '''wood burning'''.<ref>{{cite web| url =https://craft-art.com/wood-burning-art  | title=Wood Burning Art-Pyrography | access-date = 10 March 2016}}</ref>

The term means "writing with fire", from the Greek {{transliteration|grc|pyr}} (fire) and {{transliteration|grc|graphos}} (writing).<ref>Marianne Podgorski; ''Before You Pick Up That Nib: Wood Burning 101'', p. 7 {{ISBN|978-0-557-05114-4}}</ref> It can be practiced using specialized modern pyrography tools, or using a metal implement heated in a fire, or even sunlight concentrated with a magnifying [[lens (optics)|lens]].  "Pyrography dates from the 17th century and reached its highest standard in the 19th century. In its crude form it is pokerwork."<ref>"Pyrography." Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. London: Chambers Harrap, 2012. Credo Reference. Web. 2 Mar 2015.</ref>

Pyrography is also popular among [[gourd]] crafters and artists, where designs are burned onto the exterior of a dried hard-shell gourd.

== History == 
[[File:The Tawny Eagle.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The Tawny Eagle. Davide Della Noce pyrography.]]
Pyrographer Robert Boyer hypothesizes that the art form dates back to prehistory when early humans created designs using the charred remains of their fires.<ref>Boyer, R; ''The Amazing Art of Pyrography'', Evanston 1993, {{ISBN|978-1-879260-12-2}}</ref> It was known in China from the time of the [[Han dynasty]], where it was known as "Fire Needle Embroidery".<ref>[http://traditions.cultural-china.com/en/16Traditions1930.html China Culture - pyrography] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110906032848/http://traditions.cultural-china.com/en/16Traditions1930.html |date=6 September 2011 }}</ref> During the [[Victorian era]], the invention of pyrography machines sparked a widespread interest in the craft, and it was at this time that the term "pyrography" was coined (previously the name "pokerwork" had been most widely used)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.walkaboutcrafts.com/crafttopics/crafts/pyrography.htm |title=Walkabout Crafts - pyrography |access-date=15 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004213852/http://www.walkaboutcrafts.com/crafttopics/crafts/pyrography.htm |archive-date=4 October 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In the late 19th century, a [[Melbourne]] [[architect]] by the name of [[Alfred Smart]] discovered that water-based [[paint]] could be applied hot to wood by pumping [[benzoline]] fumes through a heated hollow [[platinum]] [[pencil]].<ref>Carter, Julie; ''With Mellow Shades and Character Made: The Richness of Australian Pokerwork'' in ''Carter's Antiques and Collectables Magazine'', Sept 2000</ref> This improved the pokerwork process by allowing the addition of tinting and [[shading]] that were previously impossible. In the early 20th century, the development of the electric pyrographic hot wire wood etching machine further automated the pokerwork process, and [[Art Nouveau]] pyrographic gloveboxes and other works were popular in that era. Pyrography is a traditional folk art in many parts of Europe, including [[Romania]], [[Poland]], [[Hungary]], and [[Flanders]], as well as [[Argentina]] and other areas in [[South America]].
[[File:Pyrographic Leopard .jpg|thumb|Pyrographic Leopard]]
[[File:Herbarium (pirografia) 12.jpg|thumb|''Herbarium'', pyrographic artwork by Zuzanna Dolega]]

==Equipment==
Traditional pyrography can be performed using any heated metal implement. Modern pyrography machines exist, and can be divided into three main categories.

A large range of tones and shades can be achieved. Varying the type of tip used, the temperature, or the way the iron is applied to the material all create different effects.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Choosing a Woodburning Tool (Recommended): Battle of the Burners |url=https://www.burnsavvy.com/woodburning-tool.html |access-date=2023-02-11 |website=www.burnsavvy.com}}</ref> After the design is burned in, wooden objects are often coloured.

===Solid-point burners===
Solid-point burners are similar in design to a [[soldering iron]]. They have a solid brass tip which is heated by an electrical element, and operate at a fixed temperature.

===Wire-nib burners===
Wire-nib burners have variable temperature controls. The writing nib is heated by an electric current passing directly through it. Some models have interchangeable nibs to allow for different effects.<ref>Walters, S; ''Pyrography Workbook: A Complete Guide to the Art of Woodburning'' Fox Chapel 2005 p13-14 {{ISBN|978-1-56523-258-7}}</ref>

===Laser cutters===
[[Laser cutter]]s can be set to scorch the material instead of cutting all the way through it.  Many laser cutters provide software facilities to import image files and transfer them onto a sheet of wood.  Some laser systems are sufficiently sensitive to perform pyrography on thin card or even paper.

=== Woods ===
Woods differ in hardness, grain, figure, texture, color, and other physical characteristics.<ref>Donohue, Nanette. "Woodburning Project & Pattern Treasury: Create Your Own Pyrography Art With 70 Mix-And-Match Designs." Library Journal 137.4 (2012): 96. Academic Search Complete. Web. 2 Dec. 2015.</ref>

'''Hardness:''' All woods can be classified into hard or soft. Usually softwoods are from coniferous (needle-leaved) trees.

Hardwoods are from broad-leaved trees. These hardwood trees can be classified into two distinct growing seasons each year (hot and cold season or a wet and dry season) such as:
* Earlywood: normally lighter in color and weight and only moderately strong
* Latewood: usually heavier, darker, and much stronger.

Softwood will burn faster than a hardwood does. It does not require very hot temperature to burn as do the hardwoods.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wood - Wood as a material {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/science/wood-plant-tissue/Wood-as-a-material |access-date=2023-02-11 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref>

Light-coloured [[hardwoods]] such as [[sycamore]], [[basswood]], [[beech]] and [[birch]] are most commonly used, as their fine [[grain]] is not obtrusive. However, other woods, such as maple, [[pine]] or [[oak]], are also used.

'''Grain:''' Grain is the direction of the fibrous elements of the wood cells. This is important to sand with the grain. Also the grain can cause deviation from its intended path with use of woodturning pen unless the artist applies more pressure and burns slower on the grain.

'''Figure:''' This is the natural design, or pattern, that can be seen on the cut surface of the wood. The figure present on the wood should always be taken into consideration when the artist is planning their woodburned design.

'''Texture:''' There is a texture on the surface of that wood that feels either coarse or fine, even or uneven.

Woodburners typically avoid using very fine or intricate designs on uneven, coarse-textured wood. Softwoods are more apt to be fine or moderately coarse-textured.

'''Color:''' Woodburning is mainly used to enhance the natural beauty of a wooden project, so woodburners take precious care not to obfuscate a beautiful figure, grain, luster, or color by over-charring.

== Leather ==

Pyrography is also applied to leather items, using the same hot-iron technique. [[Leather]] lends itself to bold designs, and also allows very subtle shading to be achieved. Specialist vegetable-tanned leather must be used for pyrography (as modern [[Tanning (leather)|tanning]] methods leave chemicals in the leather which are [[toxic]] when burned), typically in light colours for good contrast.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-04 |title=How To Burn Leather - Intro To Pyrography - Maze Leather |url=https://mazeleather.com/how-to-burn-leather-intro-to-pyrography/ |access-date=2023-04-10 |website=mazeleather.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Safety ==
Extremely fine wood dust is liberated when sanding wood. All wood dust is hazardous, can cause respiratory problems. For this reason, many woodburners wear quality dust masks/respirators while power carving, and use a good dust collection system to prevent indoor air pollution.

There are serious risks associated with burning pressure-treated wood. It is treated with chemicals that, although safely bound in the wood fibers for construction purposes, are inherently dangerous to woodworkers and woodburners when liberated through sanding or vaporized by heat. Similar dangers are inherent to stained, painted or sealed wood.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Pyrography Materials and Safety Precautions|url = http://www.sawdustconnection.com/Pyrography-101-Tutorial-Pyrography-Safety.htm|website = www.sawdustconnection.com|access-date = 2015-10-19|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171123153450/http://www.sawdustconnection.com/Pyrography-101-Tutorial-Pyrography-Safety.htm|archive-date = 23 November 2017|url-status = dead}}</ref> A well ventilated room with a running fan will encourage air circulation and displace lingering smoke.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Lesson 2: A word about safety in Pyrography|url = http://hippiescreations.com/a-word-about-safety-in-pyrography/|website = The Art of Handmade|access-date = 2015-10-19|language = en|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150815154239/http://hippiescreations.com/a-word-about-safety-in-pyrography/|archive-date = 15 August 2015|url-status = dead}}</ref>

[[Fractal burning]] is a specific pyrography technique that is extremely dangerous and has resulted in many documented deaths.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Safety: Fractal Burning / Lichtenburg Burning |url=https://www.woodturner.org/Woodturner/Woodturner/Resources/Safety-Materials/Safety-Fractal-Burning-Lichtenburg-Burning.aspx |access-date=2022-07-22 |website=www.woodturner.org |language=en}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed">
Toscan Mona Lisa.JPG|Pyrography artwork of the [[Mona Lisa]] by Párvusz
1968 Chevrolet Camaro Z-28 Handmade pyrography by BTJPyro.jpg|1968 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 Pyrography by BTJPyro.com
Leopardo.jpg|Artist: José Luis San Román
Cosiendo redes.jpg|Artist: José Luis San Román
Margaret Fernie Eaton, Brunhilde Asleep, pyrography, 1902.tif|[[Margaret Fernie Eaton]], ''Brunhilde Asleep'', 1902
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
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{{Commons category|Pyrography}}
* [http://malekparvaneh.com/gallery/ Malek Parvaneh - excellence in pyrography ]
* [http://www.suewalters.com/PyroSchool.html Pyrography School - showing how it's done]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140504210126/http://www.patrickfaleur.com/pyrography/ Pyrography.net]
* [http://www.scorchpyro.co.uk/Techniques.html Pyrography tips and techniques]
* [http://www.stefaniamante.com Draw with Fire. The Art of Pyrography Stefania Mante]
* [http://www.davidepirografia.altervista.org/  Davide Della Noce pyrography]
* [http://www.apofire.com/  Giuseppe Apollonio]
* [http://www.pyrographs.com - Etsuko Ichikawa, using molten glass ]
* [http://www.michaelturley.co.uk - Michael Turley Pyrographic Portraits on Reclaimed Wood]
* [http://giusybusco.wix.com/giusybuscopyrographyart/ Giusy Busco pyrography art]
* [http://www.sawdustconnection.com/pyrography-101-tutorials.htm Pyrography 101 Tutorial's by Nedra Denison]
* [https://www.quartoknows.com/books/9781631598920/The-Wood-Burn-Book.html?direct=1 ''The Wood Burn Book'' by Rachel Strauss]

{{decorative arts}}
{{Woodworking}}
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[[Category:Artistic techniques]]
[[Category:Woodworking]]
[[Category:Writing implements]]