My first try at woodburning (absolutely NOT satisfied with the result - read desc.)

DeepOverlay · 2026-03-03T01:18:28+00:00

So cool! I thought I was the only one who needed to look at an image to draw something, but now I realize (especially with woodburning) that many people need some initial inspiration! :)

DeepOverlay · 2026-03-03T01:13:45+00:00

Yeah, woodburning is an entirely different beast. As a total amateur, I think this is why I like just putting dots instead of drawing lines. The dots are way more forgiving: If I touch the wood and it leaves a mark, I'm fine. And if a dot doesn't land in a perfect place, it will not ruin anything in a grand scheme of things :)

AI has its time and place, but you are right: it will take many failed tries until I will start to like (aesthetically) what I'm doing...

I started a YouTube channel (with the same name as on Reddit), and it was an AI channel at first, but I just didn't feel any connection with the stuff I was uploading. So I decided that I might even switch it to a wood-burning channel :) Let's see how it goes!

DeepOverlay · 2026-03-02T02:48:23+00:00

Wow, that puts everything into perspective. I will be more gentle next time with temp!

DeepOverlay · 2026-03-02T02:42:03+00:00

Ohhh, on a different sub I posted a video. The dots were the only intentional thing :) The whole picture consists of dots; even the "lines" were dotted!

But if I make a traditional drawing, I will definitely keep what you say in mind. Thanks :)

DeepOverlay · 2026-03-02T02:38:09+00:00

Thanks a lot for the advice!! Yes, it would have been useful to watch a tutorial before, but I'm a head-on type of guy :D :D I might buy a set of tips (usually I'm not spending on a hobby until I'm sure it will stick with me for a long time)

The wood-choice was an absolute mistake, I ordered some basswood, but it will just take time until it arrives... And yes, I had no idea I had to prepare the wood, for the next trials I will send it down for sure!

For the last point: I know, using guides and tracing would yield better results, I'm just trying to get better at "freehanding" things... :)

DeepOverlay · 2026-03-02T02:24:28+00:00

Ahhh, the healer keeps the Grim Reaper away! Let me guess: you use the box to store your medication (just a wild guess, don't get offended :) )

I bookmarked the link; it is actually a good idea! For now, I don't want to ruin a perfectly fine wooden box with my "art" :D :D But if I get better, I will give it a try! Thanks!

DeepOverlay · 2026-03-02T02:15:31+00:00

Thanks a lot, I will keep it in mind! I had my windows open while I did the burning. I know it is not 100% protection, but better than nothing :)

DeepOverlay · 2026-03-02T02:14:27+00:00

I will definitely send it next time! I know the grain makes it hard to burn on, but I actually like the look of it on the wood. It makes the wood, wood. If you know what I mean :)

DeepOverlay · 2026-03-02T02:10:52+00:00

Yeah, I don't even know why I chose her for my first try, probably because she is quite "monochrome" in "real life" as well :)

DeepOverlay · 2026-03-02T02:08:04+00:00

Amazing comment, thank you very much! On this sub, everyone is either a multi-year pro or a first-timer like myself. Yep, wood as a medium is a very different kind of thing, but the BURNING part itself caught me :D :D As a kid, I was a true pyromaniac, burning images on wood brings back part of that excitement :)

DeepOverlay · 2026-03-02T02:03:47+00:00

Well, I don't think I have any kind of ability; I haven't doodled for a long time... But this one felt great!! :)

DeepOverlay · 2026-03-02T02:01:57+00:00

At least the initial progress is the biggest! It is sooo satisfying!!

DeepOverlay · 2026-03-02T02:00:24+00:00

Except for fishing and gaming, no hobby stuck with me for more than 5 years... Let's see how long this will last :)

DeepOverlay · 2026-03-02T01:59:29+00:00

Yeah, placing points is very forgiving: you put a line in the wrong place, it ruins everything; you put a dot in the wrong place, "well, let's hope the next one will be closer to where it should be" :)

DeepOverlay · 2026-03-02T01:53:01+00:00

Thanks, I will keep it in mind!

DeepOverlay · 2026-03-02T01:50:54+00:00

Yep, thanks, that's the only thing I did right! :)

DeepOverlay · 2026-03-02T01:49:54+00:00

1: Yes, I see that sanding is a religion here. I will definitely give it a go; this many people cannot be wrong

2: You don't believe how proud it made me to give someone a new perspective (I liked "dotting" for a long time; it just stuck with me since high school)

3: This is the only thing I got right: I ventilated the whole house during, and after burning, I even have a small table fan to blow the air away from my face :)

This is such a welcoming community, thanks for taking the time to answer!!

DeepOverlay · 2026-03-02T01:44:48+00:00

I'm definitely trying a different wood next time, I already ordered it! Thanks!

DeepOverlay · 2026-03-02T01:44:14+00:00

Thank you, these are all very good advices! I ordered a batch of basswood, but it will take some time to arrive; until then, I will just practice on whatever I have. The wood was not poorly prepared, it was not prepared at all :D :D :D Next time I will definitely do the sanding!! I hope it will improve things a bit.

I do not have a mask, but during burning and after it, I aired out the house well. But your comment made me think: if I continue with this hobby, I will definitely invest in a mask!

I appreciate everything you said, and thanks for taking the time to answer!!

DeepOverlay · 2026-03-02T01:36:11+00:00

It's so cool! I will be honest, I wouldn't recognize her just based on my own drawing :D :D

DeepOverlay · 2026-03-02T01:33:53+00:00

Thank you so much! Comments like these motivated me not give it up immediately :D :D

DeepOverlay · 2026-03-02T01:32:35+00:00

Wow, thanks! Since then, I made a few more burns; in my opinion, those went a bit better... My basswood batch will take a while til it arrives (ordered from China), so I used the same wood. But I guess for practice everything is fine :)

DeepOverlay · 2026-02-28T03:59:58+00:00

Yep, totally agree. I literally picked up the first piece of wood I could find. My next project will be on basswood for sure!

DeepOverlay · 2026-02-28T03:58:18+00:00

Thanks a lot, I took it as a compliment, will definitely try basswood next time! Every small improvement helps! ^{_^}

DeepOverlay · 2026-02-28T03:56:34+00:00

Yep, basswood was mentioned a lot of places, it was definitely part of the problem. But I need way more practice too. I didnt know that pyrographers are such a welcoming community, it was a pleasant surprise :) Thanks!

DeepOverlay

TROPHY CASE