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Learn how to add color to wood burning projects with this precise guide with different types of paints you can use for coloring wood for art.
Wood burning, also known as pyrography, creates beautiful, rustic artwork on wood surfaces. While traditional wood burning focuses on intricate shading and burn depths, adding color can enhance your designs and make them more vibrant. If you’re wondering how to add color to wood burning projects, this guide will walk you through the best techniques and materials for achieving stunning results.
Add Color To Wood Burning Projects
Why Add Color to Wood Burning Projects?
Incorporating color into your pyrography projects can:
- Make designs more eye-catching
- Highlight specific details
- Add contrast and depth
- Personalize gifts or decorative items
Best Techniques for Adding Color to Wood Burning Art
1. Colored Pencils
Using artist-grade PrismaColor colored pencils is one of the easiest ways to add color to a wood-burning design.
How to Use: Lightly color within or around your burned lines.
Best for: Soft shading and subtle color accents.
Tip: Use a light touch to avoid waxy buildup.
2. Acrylic Paints
Acrylic paints provide vibrant color and good coverage while allowing the wood grain to show through.
How to Use: Thin the paint with water for a more transparent look, or apply multiple layers for opacity.
Best for: Bold, colorful designs and large areas.
Tip: Seal your artwork with a clear coat to prevent chipping.
Related: 50 Easy Acrylic Paintings of Flowers for Beginners
3. Watercolors
Watercolors blend beautifully with pyrography, giving a soft, artistic look.
How to Use: Apply light washes over the burned areas, letting the wood grain show through.
Best for: Subtle, natural-looking color.
Tip: Seal with clear spray sealer to protect the finish.
Related: 50 Landscape Watercolor Painting Ideas for beginners
4. Wood Stains
Wood stains enhance the natural beauty of the wood while adding color.
How to Use: Apply with a brush or cloth and wipe away excess.
Best for: Stained backgrounds and rustic effects.
Tip: Choose a water-based stain for better blending with burned areas.
5. Alcohol Markers
Alcohol-based markers provide rich color without raising the wood grain.
How to Use: Color directly onto the wood and blend for shading.
Best for: Fine details and gradient effects.
Tip: Use lightfast, archival-quality markers for long-lasting color.
Related: How to use alcohol inks – A Complete Guide for Beginners
Sealing and Protecting Your Colored Pyrography Project
To ensure your colors last, apply a protective sealant such as:
- Spray polyurethane (matte or glossy)
- Clear acrylic sealer
- Wood wax for a soft sheen
Tip: Test the sealant on a scrap piece to ensure it doesn’t smudge the colors.
Now that you know how to add color to wood burning projects, experiment with different techniques to find what works best for your style. Whether you prefer soft, natural hues or bold, vibrant shades, adding color can take your pyrography to the next level.
FAQs:
How to paint wood burning projects? (Recommended Best Method)
You can use a mixture of acrylic glazing medium and paint to make an acrylic “stain” which retains most of the brightness and color but is transparent. Multiple layers of glaze will eventually cover your lines, but I use this method with 2-3 layers without obscuring the design.
More transparent paints (craft paint) work better than heavy bodied acrylics. Be advised using acrylic glazing medium makes the paint soak into your bare wood and is not easy to remove. Since it’s transparent subsequent layers build (meaning blue over yellow makes green). Seal with clear coat in the end for best results.
Use colored pencil underneath the glaze for more vibrancy and texture. You can use both lighter and darker colored pencil under the glaze. Artist Elle Brooke uses this technique.
Have you ever used acrylics on wood burning? How did it turn out?
Acrylic paints are used for a opaque effect. You can apply acrylic paint on woodburned pieces without losing the woodburning itself by using a fine-detailing paintbrush to paint along the border and then fill it. Use less paint on your brush at a time. You can also create a fine outline with fine tip acrylic paint marker.
How to avoid color bleeding?
Apply one coat of Clear GAC 100 Acrylic Polymer to the wood after the burns for more controlled colors whether using watercolors or acrylics. Artist Erika Voss uses this technique!
How to fix bleeded paint on woodburned projects?
Use a tiny brush dipped in rubbing alcohol to run along the burn line. Then after a few seconds try slowly an gently scraping with an index card in half or credit card etc. It is easier to remove the paint while it is wet or new. It is best to do any removal right away.
This guide is a game-changer! I’m excited to try colored pencils for soft shading. Have you ever used acrylics on wood burning? How did it turn out?
Colored pencils are the most effective medium, however, acrylics will give you good results with some strategies. Checkout the updated faqs of the article.