Anyone looking to experience the best fun with art should try out any pyrography project or wood burning. It is inexpensive, and there are many ways to express yourself in fun and unique ways. You can satisfy your creativity by applying the best wood for wood burning and using a pyrography pen. The pen helps you to engrave your ideas on the wood by burning them onto it. By the way, we have also prepared an article for you on how to choose the best wood-burning tool.
However, the pen or wood-burning tool is not an essential tool for pyrography. You can use any source of heat to craft the best art you need. Therefore, the emphasis remains on the wood for wood burning. You have to select the best, affordable, available, and convenient to make your creation unique and beautiful.
Among many kinds of wood, what is the best wood for wood-burning art? There are also several choices to make, depending on your needs. You can customize your creation as much as you want by choosing a specific type of wood since they have varied characteristics.
Choosing the wood to use can be overwhelming when you are just starting. Here, you will get a breakdown of the top ten wood kinds to give you fantastic work. No more hassle looking for wood after reading this article. You will go directly to get the wood you need for the various projects you have.
As we advance, it would help to note that woods have different grains. The best wood for pyrography must have the right grain to ensure you get the style and design you want. You can get the perfect ideas for the wood grain you need to use through top artists’ training and recommendation. Equally important, some wood is better than others.
Type of Wood for Wood Burning
There are several popular kinds of wood used. You can literary use any wood provided they are available and free from chemicals. However, you may not get the desired results you may be seeking by choosing any wood. Here are some of the best kinds of wood to use.
1. Poplar
This is a very fantastic choice to make when you want to do your pyrography. Some of the top advantages and benefits of using this wood are:
- Very economical than hardwoods
- Has minimal grains
- Available in every wood store due to their popularity
- Very light hence easy to work with
- High-quality wood
Poplar enables you to make unique detailed designs. You can also stain it easily and craft your creation using any convenient heat source. It is a popular choice for many renowned artists and beginners.
2. Oak
Oak is a very tricky wood to choose from. It is hardwood, making it very hard to burn. The grains are unevenly distributed, and there is no proper plan to burn them. It also costs more due to its hardwood nature.
It has no sap resulting in streaky and banded edges when you try to burn the wood. This is because it has a lot of moisture on it. Since it is not a deal-breaker, you can consider using it with other projects to be very useful since it is hard and durable. Also, you can use it for crafting pallets. Ensure you burn it with extreme care.
3. Pine
Most people consider using pine boards. However, the natural pine is resinous. It is regarded as one of the best wood for all pyrography projects. You will get wood with some resin amount at the end of the session, but it will maintain its hardwood color.
Furthermore, pines are readily available and relatively cheap. They are softwood, making it easier to burn and complete your creation. You will not be bothered with sap or resin when you get the processed pine boards.
4. Cherry
Cherry is the best dark wood with pale streaks to use in pyrography. However, cherry does not have a seamless color, and many renowned artists don’t like using it. It has no sap or resin that would make you work hard while burning the wood.
Its dark color can be too prominent, making it unsuitable for some projects. It would help if you considered visualizing how your project will look like at the end. The wood can also come with a finish.
5. Maple
Maple is the best light color hardwood suitable for several wood burning projects. You can get them in most leading wood stores, but they can be costly due to their unique features. It is perfect for most of your projects since it has no grin or resin. Nothing will get in your way as you burn the wood.
The wood is also very light, making it popular for most artists. It would be best to go for it after establishing yourself in the market due to its cost. Once established, you can start using it since it also gouges resistance, making it easier to fix mistakes when you make them during crafting.
6. Magnolia
Known as America’s most splendid tree, magnolia offers you a whole new experience of creativity with its showy blooms. It is stunning, with a deep fragrance to make your project fun and incredible. Many crafters use it for almost every project. It is available in most forests and warmer areas.
They have lightweight cherries with essential features and brown color. It is hardwood with refined grains, making it very easy to burn and make crafts. Your work is easy, just like working on a male with this type of wood. It has no warps, bends well, and steam bends.
It does not split easily and binds well when glued. You do not have a problem when you need to join the wood. The wood is stable for all seasons, making it the best choice for most pyrographers.
7. Plywood
It is the best wood for beginners since it is readily available in many homes. It is also very cheap and available in almost all wood stores. It is very light and has a wide surface to accommodate any project you may need.
However, it is not the highest quality to choose when doing a more serious project to be auctioned. The designs age faster than in any other wood type.
8. Dark Wood
There are several dark kinds of wood you can use in wood-burning projects. One of the most common is Alder. It has a smooth burn that is very efficient in making delicate designs. It has no sap or resin.
Alders are ubiquitous, and you can get them easily in wood stores in your local area. They are also cheap. Alder is a sturdy hardwood suitable for durable projects.
9. Basswood
It is an incredible pyrography wood. It is easy to burn since it is softwood with no grains to mess up your burning process. The surface is solid and soft with beautiful markings.
The wood is light and clean. You can also get them easily in wood stores, where they are cheap, and you can purchase any amount you need without creating a dent in your wallet. Its yellow tint makes it a choice for people looking for more colors.
10. Studio Wood Panels
Any wood stores must have wood panels. They range from size to color, weight, and grain amount present in each panel. They are very convenient to buy since you will take the one you need for a particular project.
However, they are costly. It would be best to consider your budget and project before you decide to purchase it. It is worth every penny you will use to get it.
Comparing the Best Wood for Wood Burning
To make the most informed choice, look at these comparisons for you to get an idea of what wood to choose for your pyrography project.
Poplar vs. Birch
Poplar is very popular with most artists since it is cheap and has incredible features for making quality pyrography. On the other hand, Birch is also very affordable and popular among artists. However, it splitters, and you have to be very careful during the burning process.
Poplar vs. Basswood
Poplar is soft and makes several pyrographies successful. However, it is not as smooth as basswood. Basswood is too soft, making it tricky to complete some projects.
Oak vs. Birch Plywood
Oak is tough to burn and the most tricky wood to choose for making creations with burning. Birch is the best choice since it is soft and effortless to use.
Ash vs. Oak
Ashwood is more rigid than oak. Their main advantage is that they are less resistant to moisture. However, you will spend more on Ashwood. When you need to purchase either of the two kinds of wood, it would be best to check with the seller if used for the kind of project you will use them on.
Conclusion
Now you are enlightened on the best wood you need for all your pyrography projects. Ensure you prepare your wood effectively before you start your project. Do not burn too intensely because that can release a toxic chemical into the environment. Your workplace should be well ventilated with free-flowing air.
