Budget Burning

[Mottles]

I used the Razortip for my woodburning and highly recommend it when you are ready.
Kathy

[Irish]

I do agree that if you discover that you enjoy woodburning as much as those that have posted here then eventually you will want to move up to a variable temperature tool.

But in the mean time there is no reason that you can not enjoy the hobby of woodburning right now on a tight budget and still create wonderful burnings. There are a few limitations to the one temp tool but those can be over come by patience and practice.

I am posting two images here ... can you guess which is the variable temp and which might be the one temp tool burning.

The horse is on a basswood round with spray polyurethane and the shield is done on sugar pine with a golden ochres oil finish. ???

Susan

[AlArchie]

Susan, I almost hesitate to guess, they are both done so well, but I'll take a stab at the horse as the one done with the "one temp tool". Then only because of the wide shadings on the horses mane. Then again, that could have been done with a shader.

Point well made on the usefulness of a "cheapo" burner, though.

Al

[Mottles]

Susan, beautiful work on both accounts, I'm going to stick my neck way, way out and guest the horse was done with the variable temp. In the hands of a Pro anything is possible even with a one temp fits all. Excellent example my friend...
Kathy

[MelNM]

Its the horse of course.
Mel

[Irish]

OK ... I cheated and that was a trick question. But I think you all knew that.

They are both one temp tool burnings. The shield was done around 1995 and the horse in 2003.

And the tool was a $19.95 special Walnut Hollow burner that has five interchangable tips. One of the reasons that I got a second one temp tool several years ago was that I had worn out my fine point cone tip ... I had used that tool so much that the point was starting to bend.

Susan

[AlArchie]

Phhhhttttt.....I hate object lessons! But, again, POINT WELL MADE!

Al

[Irish]

Al, I apologize! That was not fair of me.

Humbled ... Susan

[Skulli]

Thanx Susan, I really appreciate that type of example, it is extremely helpful. I don't have any pics yet (or a camera!) but I just completed a walking stick with my budget burner.

As I worked my way down on this practice stick (think "sketchpad"), I gradually became more comfortable with the tool, although I overburned quite a bit and used the wide blade tip way too often.

The stark dark, deep burns stood out really cool against my near white silver maple, lending an "illustration" type of art to a large mermaid with tons of detailed dark hair as the focal point. (Ok and the mound with a small dark knothole as the exposed breast, couldn't pass that up).

I'm so familiar with charcoal, pastel, pen-n-ink work as well as over 25 years in handpainting lead miniatures. The feel of the heavier, clumsier burning tool is taking some adjustment, especially with my carpal tunnel. Estimating the time it takes on line work to gauge thickness and depth of burn is also a new phenomenon.

I really appreciate all you friendly forum-folk who have been so quick to motivate and educate me in this new endeavor.

Jim

[Skulli]

Also, hey Nedra, thanx a bunch for the website info!