There is a good description of pyrography on Wikipedia so check that out for specific details. Below is my quick description and basically how I use some of these burning processes.

What is Pyrography?

Within my world of woodturning, pyrography falls under the broad category of surface enhancements. This basically means altering the form’s surface once the woodturning work is complete. While the natural beauty of wood can be hard to compete with, I often use surface enhancements to present ideas that go beyond what the wood itself is saying. Wood is a marvelous material because burning, scorching, and branding can produce stunning effects on it. When combined with carving, grinding, or other surface treatments, the creative possibilities become limitless.

Pyrography literally defined means fire writing. In modern artistic terms it more typically is referring to the use of heat to draw images or make pictures. I employ an even broader definition that includes scorching and branding techniques for creating textures and patterns on my pieces.

Scott (me) drawing flowers with a pyrography pen.

Pyrography Tools

I use propane torches, butane torches, and commercial and home built wood-burning devices. A propane torch is used to scorch large surfaces as well as heating other implements to use as brands. A butane pencil torch works well for controlled scorching of small areas. For drawing my pyrographic images I use a variety of burning pens with differing tip shapes powered by Detail Master’s Dagger and Excalibre power supplies. My favorite device for burning heavy textures is my home built wood vaporizer. Made out of an automotive battery charger, I run the electrical current to a custom hand-piece. The attached Ni-chrome wire, bent to a variety of shapes, easily heats bright red and quickly burns deep into the wood’s surface. If you'd like to make one of these devices, read this how-to article.

Scott (me) creating a textured surface by branding.