This page is devoted to creativity in pyrographic art. We welcome any articles from guest instructors that will teach pyrographers how to create something different or something special. Please email us with your ideas.

Our first creativity project will be what I call, "IMAGINART". I named this "Imaginart" because it takes your imagination to fill out the rest of the picture. It basically deals with the art of silhouette. This is a good example of the creativity I am trying to inspire in pyrographic artists to consider other forms of art and then, in some way, apply it to pyrography.

Contemplate a source of light from one direction; Anything that interrupts that light before it reaches your eyes we consider a silhouette. Usually, the light is so strong that any person standing in front of it becomes a shadow. You cannot see the details of their face. Camera manufacturers have tried to take this into account and somehow filter out the back light and light up the face of the interrupter. In this creativity, we have done something different. We have moved the light source to the side and reflect it on the object so only that part facing the light can be visible.

For example, if in a darkened room you shine a flashlight on the face of a person, only that lighted portion can be seen. You know there is the rest of the head in the dark, but it takes your imagination to fill out the details in your mind. This side light can be controlled. For instance, you may just light up the edge of the silhouette or you may increase the light or move the light to illuminate a greater portion of the face, including other characteristics, such as a nose, eyebrows, hair or eyes. This controlled light can be increased by lumens (strength of the light) or just the slight adjustment of the light in a certain direction can change the degree of light. This degree of light gives the artist a great range in creating "Imaginart." All artists know that the positioning of shadows can create a face without drawing a solid line. In fact, most realistic sketches have few distinctive lines. Usually, if the art is only defined by lines, you can consider it a cartoon. With Imaginart we are expanding on this idea of shadows and a directional light source.

Our first project will be an Imagine Art of the famous trumpeter from the state of Louisiana in the United States, the late, Louis Armstrong, sometimes known as "Satchmo" This is a actual photo of my finished ImaginArt piece.

The materials needed are: (1) a 1/8th inch (3.175 mm.) thickness of clear, reduced grain wood, such as Italian poplar or Basswood. For this art, usually a small piece about 1 foot (304.8 mm.) square will suffice. (2) A scroll saw or a coping saw. The saw can be hand operated or electrically operated, making it much faster. (3) Purchase a 20 inch( 508 mm) by 30 inch (762 mm.) (or bigger if you like) black mat board at an art store. (4) A 12 inch (304.8 mm.) by 12 inch (304.8 mm.) of heavy (80 to 100 lb.) white paper. (5) Paper cutting scissors. (6) A dark pencil. (7) A sketch pad. (8) A burning system with a shading pen (I used a 12-D handpiece. This is a copper tipped pen that retains heat longer). (9) A double side adhesive tape. (10) A permanent adhesive, like Elmer's glue. (11) A replaceable blade carving knife (like X-Acto). (12) Fine grit sandpaper.

One advantage of this type of art: even though the finished picture will by 20 inches (508 mm.) by 30 inches (762 mm.), you will only need a small piece of wood for the parts.

With your sketch pad, make a drawing of the finished art piece. You will notice on the photo of my piece, that each piece of wood is separate from each other. The forehead, the eyelids, the cheeks, lips, teeth and chin are all small pieces of wood pasted in the proper position to give the impression of a side light. When the sketch is to your satisfaction, cut out each individual piece and transfer it to the 100 lb. white paper. The heavy paper is to give it some rigidity when transferring it to the wood. If you are confident enough, you can make your sketch on a large piece of heavy white paper and eliminate the sketch pad. Lay out the heavy paper cutouts on the black mat board. Stand a few feet away and see if you are satisfied with the results. Sometimes, all it takes is a little maneuvering of the cutout to make it look right.

After you are satisfied with the results of the heavy paper on the black mat board, you are ready to transfer those cutout to the 1/8 inch (3.175 mm.) clear grain wood. Place the heavy paper cutout in a convenient position on the 1/8 inch (3.175 mm.) piece of wood. Arrange and position the cutout so you will save the wood. Outline each piece on the wood with the dark pencil. Use the coping saw or scroll saw to cut out the pieces of wood. I believe my Louis Armstrong took twenty two cutouts.

On each piece of wood, use an X-Acto type knife to round the edges of Louis' face and hands. Round only that part of the face and hands that face the direction of the light. Those parts of the cutouts that face the shadow, you will leave a sharp 90 degree corner. Sand each piece so the rounded area is smooth from the knife cuts. With your burning system shading tool, soften those areas of the wooden face with appropriate shading. Burn the shading on the trumpet and buttons.

When all the pieces are done, place them on the black mat board much like you did the heavy paper. When you are satisfied with the results, put a drop of Elmer's glue on each piece. With this glue, you will have a short time to make any adjustments. Stand about 10 feet (3 meters) away to see if you have to move any of the pieces slightly.

Things to remember: If you want to make a smaller or larger picture, you must adjust the sizes of your pieces accordingly. Your sketch pad or your 100 lb paper will be the same size as your black mat board. If you find a picture of a shadow portrait, you can make an ImaginArt of it. If you want to take a photo of someone, possibly a family member, take it in a darkened room with a strong side light. Be creative, add or remove light to make it more interesting.

***Robert E. Boyer***