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Beginner Wood Burning Project

Create an easy wood-burned outdoor scene using a printable pattern and an unfinished basswood round.
Course Everyday Crafts
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 25 minutes
Servings 1 project
Cost $15

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Download and print my free outdoor scene pattern (or the artwork of your choice). For my size round wood, I had to print the pattern on two sheets and tape together.
    transfer paper and printed design on the front of the wood
  • Place transfer paper on your basswood round, then your printed design on top. Tape in place. Use a pencil or tool to trace over the lines.
    transferring the design onto the wood
  • Plug in your wood burning tool and let it heat up fully. I started with the largest tip I needed, which was the flow tip for the circles. Start with medium-high heat. You can always turn it up if you need to.
    tool heating up on the table
    • Tape the base down to the table. Otherwise tripping on the cord can zing your tool off the table. Ask me how I know . . .
  • Carefully trace over the transferred lines with your tool. Go slowly and evenly. Don't press too hard, as the wood will start burning away underneath the tip naturally.
    adding details with a wood burning tool
  • To change tips, you'll need to turn the tool off completely and let it cool. Then unplug to switch tips. Never touch the tips while the tool is plugged in.
    To do the medium details, I used the cone tip.
    burned scene on wood
    • If you want to know the truth - I worked about 20 minutes at a time, stepping away and then coming back to it.
  • Once the main lines are burned, add the detail lines. To do this, I switched to the tapered tip for the smallest areas.
    When you're done, let the wood cool before handling or hanging.
    adding details with a thinner wood burning tip

Notes

Keep a scrap piece of the same wood nearby for testing the heat after each tip change.
Your lines may darken as the tip remains hot, so adjust your speed rather than pressing harder.
Display the finished plaque on a shelf or attach hanging hardware to the back.