Best Pyrography Books & Wood Burning Books 2023 [Updated]


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List of Best Wood Burning & Best Pyrography Books for Beginners & Experts 2023 [Updated]

wood burning a tree using a book
Although pyrography is best learned with practice, books can still provide both reference and inspiration. National Rural Knowledge Exchange CC BY-SA

Pyrography and wood burning are the art of decorating materials with burn marks. Pyrography literally means writing with fire, and it can be applied to a wide range of materials, including many different types of wood and even leathers.

In order to hone the skills required to perform such decorative work, it is important to practice them through hands-on experience and educating yourself on some of the techniques and practices used by experienced pyrographers or wood burners.

Books act as an incredibly helpful source of information and inspiration for many hobbyists and professionals. There are many different books available to draw inspiration from that include both pyrography and wood burning projects.

These books feature a wide range of patterns and images to include in your own work. The following list is a selection of the most creative and worthwhile books concerning these trades that can help those starting to learn about these trades or advanced craftsmen trying to challenge themselves with new techniques or designs.


1) Learn to Burn: A Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Started in Pyrography

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Learn to Burn: A Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Started in Pyrography (Fox Chapel Publishing) Easily...
  • Fox Chapel Publishing Learn To Burn Book- A Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Started in Pyrography
  • Learn to "write with fire" along with all the basics of woodburning, purchasing tools, materials,...
  • Master all of the essential techniques for making simple marks, texturing, lettering, shading, and...

Recommended for: Beginner Pyrographers

Learn to Burn by Simon Easton is a useful introduction to simple pyrography and wood burning projects if you are a beginner interested in starting a project for practice. This book features simple, step-by-step projects that help you replicate or learn how to create the beautiful patterns and designs included in the book.

This book is a great reference for artistic inspirations as some of these designs are very intricate and compelling to recreate. The author includes information on how to form different types of textures on the materials surface by employing a variety of pyrography techniques.

Understanding these techniques can be very beneficial for newcomers to the craft and can elevate the quality of their projects.

Pros Cons
  • Step-by-step projects and ideas
  • How-to pictures accompany text
  • Bonus patterns
  • Features easily-accessible materials
  • Basic exercises best-suited for beginners
  • Experienced author
  • Simple projects
  • Limited information on mechanics
  • Projects may be too simple for advanced craftsmen

2) Big Book of Pyrography Projects: Expert Techniques and 23 All-Time Favorite Projects

Big Book of Pyrography Projects: Expert Techniques and 23 All-Time Favorite Projects (Fox Chapel...
  • Design Originals-Fox Chapel: Big Books Of Pyrography Projects
  • If you have ever wanted to take up the creative art of pyrography, here's the perfect place to start
  • Big Book of Pyrography Projects is packed with tips, tricks, and inspiration

Recommended for: Beginner & Experienced Pyrographers

Big Book of Pyrography Projects by the editors of Pyrography Magazine an excellent book for both beginners and advanced pyrographers. This book features a plethora of different pyrography projects, as suggested by the title, that both inspire and challenge people creatively and technically in their pyrography projects.

The material of focus in the book is wood, so there are many wood burning projects to review and learn about within the text. The 23 all-time favorite projects are highlighted and written in detail throughout the book, which can allow you to follow along the process of making such projects and even replicating them on your own through step-by-step instructions.

These incredible projects, ranging from portraits to birdhouses, have been strategically curated by the editors from experienced pyrographers. In addition to this, the authors include some useful tips, tricks, and techniques to implement in different projects and in the overall craft in general.

Pros Cons
  • Features wide range of projects
  • Great for both beginners and experts
  • Step-by-step instructions on 23 projects
  • Useful pictures and illustrations
  • Features projects require basic tools for pyrography
  • Great for all skill levels
  • Multiple experienced authors
  • Mainly focused on larger wood burning projects
  • Little insight about the science of trade

 


3) Little Book of Pyrography: Techniques, Exercises, Designs, and Patterns

Little Book of Pyrography: Techniques, Exercises, Designs, and Patterns (Fox Chapel Publishing)...
  • Fox Chapel Publishing Little Book Of Pyrography Book
  • Fox Chapel Publishing Little Book Of Pyrography Book- Techniques, Exercises, Designs, and Patterns.
  • Makes woodburning easy by walking beginners through all the basics of materials, tools, and...

Recommended for: Beginner Pyrographers

Little Book of Pyrography by Lora Irish is a wonderful addition to any pyrographer’s library. This book encompasses the important aspects of mastering essential pyrography techniques, when they apply, and the tools you need to complete different projects.

Much like the previous books discussed, this book also contains step-by-step instructions on how to complete a few different pyrography projects and valuable insight of the best practices for doing so.

Given the basic nature of the information included in this book, it is best geared towards an amateur or beginner in the art of pyrography, as some of the information included may be repetitive or redundant for the experienced hobbyist.

Pros Cons
  • Great book for beginners
  • Explains how to master essential pyrography techniques
  • Includes step-by-step guides
  • Experienced author
  • Not suited for experienced pyrographers

4) The Art of Leather Burning: Step-by-Step Pyrography Techniques

The Art of Leather Burning: Step-by-Step Pyrography Techniques
  • 800759809424
  • Brand New Item / Unopened Product
  • Dover Publications

Recommended for: Beginner & Experienced Pyrographers

The Art of Leather Burning by Lora Irish is another popular book by this author that focuses on leather burning rather than wood burning. Leather burning is another form of pyrography and this book teaches you how to complete leather burning projects using pyrography techniques specific to this material.

The projects included in this book are accompanied by step-by-step instructions in order to allow the reader to recreate the finished product and practice his or her technical skills. Some of these projects range from leather jewellery to leather wallets that can be uniquely decorated by writing in fire.

This is an overall excellent book on leather burning that can be appreciated by beginner to advanced pyrographers and those interested in learning about leather burning after solely practicing wood burning in the past.

Pros Cons
  • Great for pyrographers of all skill levels and backgrounds
  • Detailed book about leather burning in particular
  • Discussed essential tools needed to complete the projects
  • Provides useful tips and techniques for this art
  • Contains step-by-step instructions for certain leather burning projects
  • Experienced author
  • Only really useful for pyrographers wanting to work with leather as techniques differ

 


5) Yearn to Burn: A Pyrography Masterclass

Yearn to Burn: A Pyrography Master Class: 18 Creative Woodburning Projects with Step-by-Step Instructions...
  • Fox Chapel Publishing Yearn To Burn Book
  • Fox Chapel Publishing Yearn To Burn Book- A pyrography master class: 18 creative woodburning...
  • Take your woodburning art to the next level by taking a masterclass with an award-winning...

Recommended for: Experienced Pyrographers

Yearn to Burn is another great pyrography book by Simon Easton. This book expands on its predecessor, Learn to Burn, by including more advanced pyrography techniques.

There are 18 different projects featured in this book that have clear, step-by-step instructions and detailed photographs on how to complete them and the useful techniques to employ while working on them.

This is a great read for experienced pyrographers who have already had some practice in the trade and can serve as both a reference book and a source of inspiration after the initial read.

Pros Cons
  • Great for experienced pyrographers
  • 18 featured projects with step-by-step instructions
  • Experienced author
  • Great reference book
  • May be difficult to follow as a beginner

 


6) Landscape Pyrography Techniques & Projects: A Beginner’s Guide to Burning by Layer for Beautiful Results

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Landscape Pyrography Techniques & Projects: A Beginner's Guide to Burning by Layer for Beautiful Results...
  • Lora S. Irish (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 208 Pages - 04/09/2018 (Publication Date) - Fox Chapel Publishing (Publisher)

Recommended for: Experienced Pyrographers

Landscape Pyrography Techniques & Projects by Lora Irish is another great, informative read on pyrography by this author. This book particularly focuses on landscape designs and patterns that can be applied in wood burning projects.

This book contains step-by-step instructions for a rustic barn project along with four other practice projects that involve the use of different techniques and effects. The shining aspect of this book is the wide variety of landscape patterns and designs within its pages, which is sure to inspire other wood burners to implement in their own work and practice.

This book may be aimed at beginners according to its title, but it is more suitable for people who have had prior experience with pyrography or wood burning, as it does not focus heavily on the basics as much as in her other books included in this list.

Pros Cons
  • Great reference book for inspiration
  • Great book for people with previous pyrography experience
  • Features many different landscape patterns and designs for wood burning
  • Practice projects using different techniques
  • Step-by-step instructions for a barn project
  • Does not focus a lot of on the basics of pyrography
  • This book mainly focuses on wood burning and not pyrography across different types of materials

 

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