Pyrography Basics: Techniques and Exercises for Beginners (Design Originals) Patterns for Woodburning with Skill-Building Step-by-Step Instructions and Advice from Lora Irish on Texture and Layering

Lots of great info and examples to use

Gift to my daughter. She love the kit and plans to practice and become familiar with pyrography.

It's written for people with or without artistic background, pretty simple. For someone that wants to experiment on pyrography as a beginner it's good. It includes important technical information that would save you long time to learn by just experimenting. Finally, it provides several exercises that, if I could manage to achieve, I will consider myself "an experienced artist". I like it despite being a brief book.

High-quality very useful

For hobbyist to learn with the kit

Let me start by telling you a bit about myself. I've been working with wood for almost 12 years now, though I've only been playing with pyrography for a year or so. I've completed several projects of varying sizes and degrees of detail; my simplest project was a welcome sign and my most detailed one was a plaque of a highly detailed spaceship. As you can see, I'm not an expert, but I'm not a stranger to the craft either.I paged through this book, but I haven't read it in depth yet. If anything changes afterwards, I'll update my review.My first impression of this book was...not good. The copyright says 2014, but the actual text was published in 2006, making the information a decade old. Normally that wouldn't be an issue, but the photos of the equipment and even the tips are highly outdated. For instance, the book tells you that many wood burning tools have an adapter that allows you to use other company's tools with their cords. I have three tools myself and have done an extensive amount of shopping and I've literally never seen anything like what they're describing.Pros:Value. Ten bucks? That's hard to beat.Technique. I have to admit, the techniques and patterning shown in the book are fascinating; HOWEVER, because they were done with tips that I don't think even exist anymore, I don't know how easy it will be to replicate them.Patterns. The book does include several patterns of varying sizes, along with detailed photos and descriptions of the process behind turning a pattern into a burning.Cons:Outdated information. As I mentioned, the book was published in 2014 but the original text was first published in 2006, making it ten years old. Tips and tools have changed drastically since then if I compare my own tools to the ones pictured.Wood is the only material shown. This is a book about 'pyrography' basics, not just wood burning, and I was hoping to see maybe paper or leather or cork projects, but no luck. Everything shown is on birch plywood unless otherwise indicated.Patterns. Yes, this was in my Pros list as well, but to be fair, the small included patterns are very, very plain and not at all any kind of challenge. In addition, to get the projects to turn out they way they're listed, you have to enlarge most of the patterns, which may be difficult for the less tech-savvy among us.Final impression: Three stars. I use Walnut Hollow tools and only Walnut Hollow, not because I'm choosy but just because those are the ones I like the best for my budget. I can use some of the technique information, but when I bought this book I expected up-to-date information, a variety of patterns, useful guides to technique, a variety of materials used, and for a decent price. I got three of five (pattern variety, useful techniques, and a good price), so I'm giving three of five stars.An additional warning: If you are a brand-new, eager-eyed beginner, I would stay away from this book. The technique is wonderful, but the discrepancy between the tools we use today and the old ones shown in the book will make it confusing and difficult for you to know which tips to use.

Well done tutorials with focus on variety if hest and contact. More about achieving textures. Perfect.

great