[Irish]

Here ya go. You can use any pattern or texture to create a value scale ... short dashes, dots, straight lines, random curls, even writing your name over and over. The idea is that by working cool and and adding layer over layer you intensify the color value.

And because you are working cool and adding layers you have total control over the coloring. You don't hit areas of dense wood or heavy grain that distort the value because they burn unevenly. If you do, with the next layer you just don't burn that particular spot. You just intensify the color around it until you are back to an even toning.

I did a teddy bear a whiles back and the texture pattern that I used was A-B-C. I just repeated those letters over and over again. He came out pretty good if I say so myself.

Susan

[Irish]

I gray scaled your value scale. Notice that you still have a ways to go until you reach a black tone. Probably two or three more squares. Now if you add that the unburned wood is equal to white on the gray scale that gives you at least 12 different tonal values you can easily create.

That's a lot of color change !!!!

Susan

[Mottles]

Hi Susan:
Thank you, I worked really hard on this simple but really educational sepia value scale. It's interesting I did think about leaving the first square the natural color of the birch--then start with the next value. In leaving more room I thought it would be interesting just to see how dark I could get. I like the idea you show of doodles to create another type of value scale. Now why didn't I think to check my value scale in grayscale.........Excellent Susan!
I really appreciate your comments and examples...as I'm more visual in my understanding these examples mean a lot to me.
Thank you so much,
Kathy

[Irish]

Kathy,

Now that you do have the sepia value scale done go to your graphics program and print a high quality (gloss) photo of it. Next, gray scale your value scale and print that too! If you can cut and paste them together so that they are on one photo paper.

When you go to burn your next project print a copy of the image or photo in color and then in gray scale. You can now place the gray value scale that you burned onto the gray scale photo for comparision.

You can pick an area in the colored photo, then find that same area in the gray photo, find the same gray color on your gray value scale, then move to the sepia value scale to know EXACTLY what sepia wood burn color you want!

Susan

[Mottles]

Hi Susan: Thank you

After I finish adding a few more squares to get to that black value I'll do exactly what you recommend. While working on my latest woodburn (lantern) I did scan and print both a color and grayscale of my subject. I have also scanned some progress images for comparison. But actually having a real time sepia scale is a terrific tool. I would recommend anyone who hasn't made this tool and of course has the interest make one.

Will share soon,
Kathy