AY Honors/Wood Handicraft/Answer Key

2006-09-14T14:59:30Z

81.64.46.246: /* History */

'''Pyrography''' is the 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'''.

Pyrography means "writing with fire" and is the traditional art of using a heated tip or wire to [[burn]] or [[scorch]] designs onto natural materials such as [[wood]] or [[leather]]. Burning can be done by means of a modern solid-point tool (similar to a [[soldering iron]]) or hot wire tool, or a more basic method using a metal implement heated in a fire, or even sunlight concentrated with a magnifying [[lens (optics)|lens]].

This allows a great range of natural tones and shades to be achieved - beautiful subtle effects can create a picture in [[sepia]] tones, or strong dark strokes can make a bold, dramatic design. Varying the type of tip used, the temperature, or the way the iron is applied to the material all create different effects. Solid-point machines offer a variety of tip shapes, and can also be used for "[[branding]]" the [[wood]] or [[leather]]. Wire-point machines allow the artist to shape the wire into a variety of configurations, to achieve broad marks or fine lines. This work is time-consuming, done entirely by hand, with each line of a complex design drawn individually. After the design is burned in, wooden objects are often coloured, sometimes boldly or more delicately tinted.

Light-coloured [[hardwoods]] such as [[sycamore]], [[beech]] and [[birch]] are most commonly used, as their fine [[grain]] is not obtrusive, and they produce the most pleasing contrast. However, other woods, such as [[pine]] or [[oak]], are also used when required. 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]] methods leave chemicals in the [[leather]] which are [[toxic]] when burned) typically in light colours for good contrast.

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

== History ==
The process has been practiced by a number of cultures including the [[Egypt|Egyptians]] and some [[Africa|African]] tribes since the dawn of recorded time. 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]]. This improved the pokerwork process by allowing the addition of tinting and [[shade|shading]] that previously were impossible. In the early [[20th century]], the development of the electric pyrographic hot wire wood etching machine further automated the pokerwork process. Pyrography is also a traditional folk art in many European countries, including Hungary, as well as countries such as Argentina in South America.

== External links ==
* [http://www.pyrography.net Pyrography.net (See hundreds of pyrography images by the world's best in the "Gallery")]

*[http://www.pbase.com/ohquepretty/art Gallery of photos of pyrography artwork done in a latin style.]

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[[Category:Artistic techniques]]

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AY Honors/Wood Handicraft/Answer Key