String and Wood Art @stringandwoodart - Tumblr Blog

Pyrography - how to burn something beautiful

The next edition of the workshop's activity brings a meeting with a technique that has not been much discussed so far. Namely, it's pyrography. This art also has many other names. However, it all comes down to creating images by burning.

Pyrography first attempt - Elephant

The first significant work that was done by me with this technique was the Elephant already presented. To be honest, I made a fox before that - he is also showed on the site. Nevertheless, only the view of the finished image on the right made me fall in love with pyrography. Creating it, not having much experience in this craft at the time, allowed me to truly believe in myself. What's more, it added a lot of enthusiasm for further action. This work has already appeared on Facebook some time ago, so I put a link through which you can also visit that post.

Pyrography, second approach - Kitty

The second approach to the subject of pyrography was related to the image of a small cute kitty. This work gave me a lot of joy during its creation. It is worth adding, which is easy to see after reviewing the page, that I like cats. Therefore, the sight of each subsequent element appearing in the wood caused a more radiant smile to appear on the face. Look for yourself - how can you not like such a creature?

Pyrography third edition - Eagle

Third approach and this time some problems have already appeared. Creating a feathers was not so simple (at least then). It was hard to judge if it came out properly. Nevertheless, I am satisfied with the final form of work. In fact, it could be a little more life entangled, but the time and opportunity will come when I will make the next pictures using the pyrograph.And how do you like this technique? Did the post persuade someone to try their hand at woodburning? Or maybe I inspired someone of practitioners to work on any of the listed animals? Let me know in the comments! Best wishes! Read the full article

#animals #Art #fire #pyrography #wood #woodart #woodburning #woodcraft #Workshop

The history of struggles with the string art technique

It's safe to say that art has been following me through my life for a long time. Even as a child, I really liked to draw, paint and create various figures made of plasticine, modeling clay and salt mass. I didn't know the technique that interested me much until 2017, or rather at the very end. I quickly decided to try my hand at this and admit that it absorbed me completely. This is the story of adventure with string art technique. I would like to invite you for a walk through the paths of history and memories, during which we will watch the first 5 works based on threads and nails.

1. Balloon

This work has already appeared while describing the general idea of the string art technique. No doubt she was the first. This can be seen in the poor shape, especially in the case of the basket. Maybe I could leave her in the shadow and forget about her existence, but it is worth those who start their adventure with string art to see that great images are not created immediately. As they say - practice makes perfect, so don't give up. Nevertheless, for my first job and the knowledge of string art at the time, I don't think it turned out that bad.

2. Elephant

Second job and I admit it was easy to feel the increase in difficulty. It was mainly due to the very close foundation of some nails, which made thread interlacing a problem. Currently, I probably wouldn't pay attention to it, but then with my lip between my teeth I waited for the end of each subsequent field. Symmetry has been preserved, and this is very important to me. Currently, I would definitely change the palette of selected colors, because these did not correspond with each other in this case, but this is history. Therefore, it can be an example of the fact that not quite effectively selected colors are able to worsen the reception of work.

3. Rainbow wheel

The first job I was really proud of. The wheel made of nails came out shapely. What is more, the presence of different colors meant that they actually create the illusion of a rainbow. Transitions between individual colors are smooth. Thanks to that there are no eye-catching jumps. In total, eighteen colors were used. So our sense of sight can not be bored while absorbing the view of such geometry. I am happy above all that this work is constantly hanging in the family home and my parents are not bored yet.

4. Eye of the cyclone

This time, more sophisticated geometry was created. In addition, several new tricks have been used. First, different types of nails were introduced in one design. There are exactly three different sizes here. This allows you to level the work system in a way. The size of the nail, however, also has a direct impact on its strength. This is due to two factors. The first of them refers to the fact that we can hammered the nail deeper. Thanks to which it "sits harder". The second is related to the nail structure itself. The increase in length forces (usually) an increase in the diameter of the neck. Thanks to these factors, we can sand more threads around the nail. Another novelty was the imposition of several layers of thread. It led to the creation of a pleasing spatial structure.

5. Wheel of fortune

This work was created with a view to giving it to a friend. Perhaps that is why it came out perfectly. The history of its creation would deserve a separate post. I will only write that this work cost quite a lot of work. It was somewhat due to the fact that each wheel has a diameter of about 60 cm, and there are fifteen. However, the end result satisfied me fully - it was worth it. And which job you liked the most? Maybe you want to show off your first work? Write about it in the comments. Best wishes! Read the full article

#beginnings #history #nails #Stringart #thread #Workshop

Acrylic poured images - something else

Last week, the topic of string art was presented in the form of various, but equally beautiful cats and wood aging methods. This week, we're going to take a different technique. Namely acrylic paintings created by skillful pouring of paint. In a word of introduction, I would like to present one of the works, and in the next post I present a few techniques that stand out in the case of acrylic poured paintings.

A piece of art I would like to share this week is the Mirror of Memories. This work was not the first one I did in the of acrylic poured technique, but it obtained very good popularity results on the web. It was created from a rich palette of eleven colors, thanks to which the impression of a large amount of contrast was obtained.

Mirror of memories - preparation

After preparing each of the colors, they were placed in two cups. Then, was the time for setting the canvas properly. Pouring the contents of the containers began. A slight tilt is useful for better distribution of the paint. When pouring, be careful not to hurry too much. This phase should be very slow. Generally, the slower the more interesting and varied shapes can be obtained. A good way is also to move the pouring hand from right to left in the range of a few centimeters or forward and backward (distance 2-3 centimeters). Then we will get shapes as in the pictures in this post. However, you should be alert and focused, because pouring two cups at the same time is not easy. It is necessary to control both containers at once. I guarantee that after a moment of strong focus you will be the master of it. When you finish the work you will probably think about something crazy. What will happen if I will use three cups? Aat least that was in my case;). Acrylic paintings surface conservation forms I will present in one of the next posts. This time I will only add that in this case liquid varnish was used.

The painting is undoubtedly one of a kind and unique. You can be sure of that. Looking at my collection of acrylic poured paintings, I conclude that this work is undoubtedly on the podium. Unfortunately I have a problem to decide on which step. Do you like to create acrylic poured paintings? How do you like this piece of art? What would you change about him? Let me know in the comments. Best wishes! Read the full article

#acrylicpaint #acrylicpainting #acrylicpouring #canvas #colorful #colors #pieceofart #technique #twocups #Workshop

Wood aging in 7 interesting ways

This time we will deal with a topic related to wood working. Not once and twice have we found it certain that our boards could look a bit ... older. Normal thing. Very often, handcraft products created on old-looking substrates look amazing, while ordinary new boards are not able to reflect the magic of our work. To make life easier for those who need some advice, I present 7 examples of activities related to aging of wood. Their detailed descriptions will be in the future on the blog with examples presenting effects and step by step instructions. Meanwhile, short characteristics.

1. Brushing

This method allows the wood to have a distinct character. It allows you to highlight its structure by enhancing the grain and knots drawing. For this we use a regular wire brush or a brush to attach to the drill. Undoubtedly, the second option will allow you to get results faster, but we can control the first one more. It is necessary when working with this wood aging method, and actually at the end, to thoroughly clean the dust that has deposited in the created grooves.

2. Wiping (sanding)

The basic version of this method is related to applying two paints to the wood surface. Their colors should be contrasting with each other for a better effect. The first of the paints can be applied over the entire surface, however if it is large or we do not have enough paint, it is enough in selected places - we wait for the paint to dry. The situation is different with the second paint - here it is necessary to cover the entire surface. After the second paint has dried, we grasp coarse-grained sandpaper and carry out leaks. The harder we rub, the deeper we will enter the prepared structure. It is common that as a result of friction we will reach raw wood - very good! This will give additional character to our work. Finally, remember to clean the top layer of wood.

3. Whitening with paint or wax

Covering wood with white paint or wax gives the wood an amazing look. Gently cool, mysterious, but also rustic character. In the case of paint, you can even use acrylic ones, but it is worth thinning them out. When applying it to wood, remember to brush along the grain, so that we highlight their structure. In places, we can distribute the paint more, which will create a multi-layer impression. In the case of wax, we can enjoy the fact that we will deal with two issues at the same time - we will paint the wood and preserve it.

4. Patination

Another technique involves alternating layers of paint (but not only) to prepare a previously (cleaned) surface. One of the possibilities to implement this technique is to apply wood stains of dark shade (ebony, rosewood, walnut) first. Then apply to the prepared substrate (after the stain dries) contrasting paint. The next layer is made of colorless wax, which in turn can be additionally covered with colored wax in a different color to earlier colors. By applying individual layers of different thickness we will create a characteristic impression of multi-color and punching different colors through ourselves.

5. Making holes and grooves

There is probably no simpler method of aging the wood. In this case, we can work with a chisel, knife, center punch, but also with a hammer and nails or screws. It is about marking marks on the wood surface in the form of holes, depressions, grooves, scratches. However, it is worth maintaining moderation and doing it with caution, because excess of such blemishes will certainly not work well for our piece of wood.

6. Graying

This wood aging method requires prior wood preparation. For this we will need: apple cider vinegar and steel wool (I also add rusty nails myself). We put the wool in a jar. It is the best solution, because we will have a preview of what is happening inside. Then put the whole aside for a while. How much the solution will "weigh" depends on us - the longer, the darker its color will be. when we think it is satisfactory for us, then we put on gloves, unscrew the jar (I warn you, the smell may not be too interesting) and apply the liquid to the wood. You can do this with a cloth, brush or wool from inside the jar (if it is still there). Thanks to this, wood takes on a darker color, while enhancing the grain pattern.

7. Shou sugi ban

The old Japanese wood preservation technique. It works very well as a way to age it. In this case, you will need a gas burner - it can be a large lance or a small burner for tourist cartouches. It all depends on what we have and how much wood we have to sunbathe. The entire operation should be performed in the correct order. Firstly, treat the wood with fire from the burner. The longer we do this, the deeper we penetrate the wood structure. Next step is brushing wood to get rid of soot, heavily burned fragments and ash. The third step is washing wood. In this way we get rid of the dirt. When the wood dries, we apply oil or wax to the surface for finishing.

Of course, this is not all existing. I guarantee that over time, other equally interesting ones will appear here. However, I found these to be easy to carry out. At the same time it will give amazing results. And which method did you like the most? Or maybe you would like to suggest using a different wood aging? - let me know in the comments. Best wishes! Read the full article

#brushing #graying #grooves #holes #patination #shousugiban #whitening #wiping #wood #woodenboard

Cat has many faces - string art cats

Cats have accompanied man since the beginning. Their perception has changed a lot over the years. Once the cat was a divine symbol. Other times it was identified with Satan and was seen as the embodiment of evil. Also today, depending on culture or religion, they are defined by various features. Nevertheless, the vast majority of us will say that they are wonderful animals that deserve to be immortalized in various forms of artistic communication. This time I would like to show what some of them made using string art look like.

Standing cat

The standing cat was the first to appear in the collection. He immediately gained his supporters. This was influenced by the interesting contrast between the board and the weaved creature itself. In this case, the wood already had its history, which was undoubtedly the nail holes and various cuts. These qualities made the work more charming. The board was thoroughly cleaned, then whitewashed and wiped with sandpaper, which allowed to obtain interesting clearances of the base color of wood. The cat itself, as it is, everyone can see. Black, proudly stretched up. The use of a crochet thread as a filling thread and complete weaving of the shape resulted in an excellent effect.

Sitting cat

The next cat that joined the family was the sitting cat. In this case, the right selection of boards for a given project deserves attention. Two large incisions (already present before the material is accepted for the workshop) undoubtedly give the work a predatory character. In addition, the cut knot in the upper left corner underlines the fact that we are dealing with real wood. The board was cleaned and then covered with a brown stain to emphasize the grain line and the mentioned texture changes. A dark gray crochet thread was used to fill the space between nails.

Walking cat

Although this animal joined the created cat family as the third, it quickly broke into the first place in the popularity ranking - a walking cat. Again, the wood used was of great importance here. Joining together several boards that have clearly marked the tooth of time, but not only through damage to the structure - cuts, cracks or holes, but also because of the lovely natural patina created on their surface. Greenish and yellowish colors perfectly emphasized the grain and knots. Also, the selected geometric form, based on a grid of triangles, gave the work a specific, slightly mysterious character.

Geometric cat

It is a kind of refinement of the walking cat's form. Thanks to the thickening of the structure, it was possible to obtain a form similar to three-dimensional. This fact alone gives life to this work. However, it is not only that makes this work so popular. This is also influenced by the ground, which in this case is a wooden board precisely prepared for this purpose. After cleaning it, it was exposed to fire as part of the Shou sugi ban technique, then wiped with a wire brush, thoroughly washed, and finally treated with a pine-colored stain. The effect can be seen in the photo below. I think the other cats are jealous of that.

Cat - head

The last but not least one is the cat, or rather his head. Made with a linear technique on a small format. The white of the thread corresponds very well with the green of the board. Additional charm is again damaged by scratches and cracks. Two additional nails were also used that constitute the animal's eyes in a given project.

As you can see, there are plenty of opportunities to present cats. There are already several cats in the collection. Some of them have already found new homes. But for sure they are not the last representatives of felids in the String and Wood Art workshop. Best wishes! Read the full article

#animaldecoration #blackcat #cats #decoration #reclaimedwood #Stringart #walkingcat #whitecat #wood #woodenboard

String art - details of the technique

The fact that one of the first posts on the workshop's blog concerns an issue related to this addictive technique, which is string art, is not an accident. Delving into the world of this kind of art was at the same time a breakthrough, ultimately leading to the decision to create a handcraft workshop.

String art - what exactly is it?

The history of creating string art will be described in a separate post. At this point I would like to explain something else. What string art actually is? What is more, tell what should be in our inventory to be able to create works using this technique. String art are works created mainly on wood by interweaving threads, wool, wire or other similar material between properly hammered nails.

What wood for string art?

We should say that there are no strict guidelines - as long as it is not too hard, because it will hamper nails. So let's reach for pine rather than oak. In addition, we should say something about its covering. You can use different types of paint for this, but in my opinion a stain is a very good solution, which will emphasize the character and drawing of the grain and any knots of the wooden board.

Which threads?

You can use embroidery floss, crochet thread or ordinary thin tailor threads. There are more possibilities, however, which I will present it someday. The impatient can search the gallery and will certainly find examples of other materials there 😉

Does string art require special nails?

Not too big, not too small - in this case it is more about matching them to a given project. If it requires a dense arrangement of nails - then it is best to use small ones. In the case of long distances, you can (and even have to) afford bigger. There are a few more intricacies in this topic, but to start with, such knowledge is enough.

What else?

To the three listed elements there is also a template - hand-drawn, printed or any other. According to some pattern we have to hammer our nails. At the beginning I suggest you choose not too complicated shapes - this way you will avoid unnecessary frustration. For example, my first project was a balloon. It may not looked out perfectly, but at the time I was very proud of it!

A complete set of tools necessary to start the adventure with string art technique: - deska, - młotek, - gwoździe, - farba lub bejca oraz pędzel, - nici, - nożyczki, - pęseta, - szablon. As a result, we have everything at hand, so let's do it! But about this in the next post.😉 Are you interested in where to get the templates from? How to choose colors, both threads and board cover? Or maybe you have any other questions? Ask them in the comment! Or you can subscribe the newsletter so that you do not miss anything. Best wishes! Read the full article

#Art #boards #handcraft #handmade #history #Stringart #threads #wood #Workshop

Vortex of gray - unintentional controversy

This post brings the opportunity to show off another work performed quite recently on the same order as the Bleeding Sun described a week ago. By the way, you could already see it then. I am talking about Vortex of gray. Starting to work, I thought that it might be slightly associated with a certain symbol. Actually, I wasn't wrong.

Colour

But let's start with the meaning of colors. Black is a symbol of strength, power, but also precision. The last of these features was taken care of in this case, because the nails are spaced from each other by strictly determined distances to the nearest millimeter. White, is a commonly used reflection of purity and innocence, but not only. It is also understood as a symbol of egocentrism. Shades of gray reign between the two mentioned colors. This in turn is identified by balance and calmness. Due to the fact that it balances between black and white, it is seen as a symbol of neutrality. Other features that can be attributed to this color are: dignity, mute and solidity. The entire collection of these terms, and in particular the last of these, formed the basis for several representatives of companies from the automotive industry, including: Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar. Other companies or services that have trusted this color as their primary logo are: Apple, Nestle, Nintendo, Wikipedia, Pawo. The intensification of the shade of gray towards black (dark gray) is often used in clothing by negotiators and mediators. It means openness to substantive and devoid of emotional play and overtones discussion.

Shape

Let's move to more interesting issues. The reason for several misunderstandings when showing this work to the world was a very quick comparison with the swastika. I even get the impression that this symbol sits very deeply in the psyche of people, especially Poles. The fact is, that I didn't intend to make a mess around. However, you can't blame every similar shape for gently resembling a symbol. It should also be remembered that this symbol is found in many religions around the world. In Asia it is given as the attribute of happiness and prosperity.

However, there is one more symbol in this geometry. The regular hexagon that forms the basis for this work is a symbol of the Slavic god Perun. It was often carved on the beams of the roof or in other places of the house, to protect it from lightning strikes. Therefore, I hope that putting all this together, it will give the new owner a lot of luck and protect him from all sorts of problems. For more photos I invite you to the gallery: And what do you think about it? Would you put such a decoration on your wall? - let me know in the comments. Best wishes! Read the full article

#Art #Black #Blackandwhite #Geometry #Gray #Modernart #Stringart #White

The story of one work of art - "Bleeding Sun"

The time has come to present a single work on this page for the first time. This is a picture made with the string art technique - "Bleeding Sun". The work was created on a special order. Its implementation took some time, but the final result pleased even such a picky person as me 😉

Colors The combination of red and yellow is not accidental here. The first of them symbolizes courage and passion, but also self-confidence. The second is a reflection of optimism and happiness. It is also one of the colors of life. Both are extremely energetic, thanks to which they complement each other perfectly. It should also be remembered that both are basic colors, which are the basis for obtaining other colors. It is also important that both are warm colors, so watching them can bring an effect of feeling enthusiasm. Shape On the other hand, we also have a very specific shape - a circle. This is actually a multiplication of the wheel. This figure is a symbol of perfection, harmony, balance and eternity. It also provides a kind of protection against demons.

A work of this type will easily fit into the tastes of people who value accuracy and like geometric shapes. Also, people fascinated by the symbolism of what surrounds us will have a kind of treat. And what colors do you like? Or maybe you would use a different color combination? - write about it in the comment.