How to Burn Onto a Painting
Adding burns to a painting can add interesting, dark brown and sienna patches that can't be achieved by using a painting medium. While fire can create interesting affects, it is a dangerous art medium and should only be handled outside, in an area with very little wind, preferably on concrete or other non-burring surface. Also, you should only use paintings that you are willing to sacrifice in the name of experimentation, since not all burns come out perfectly and it will take a lot of practice to decide just how long to burn, depending on the painting.
- Painting on paper
- Pencil
- Rags
- Bucket of water
- Fireworks punk or cigarette
- Lighter
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Instructions
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1
Lightly outline the area where you would like the burns to be with the pencil.
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2
Dip one of the rags in the bucket of water and wring it out so that it is slightly damp. Set the rag aside in a place where it can easily be reached while you are burning the painting.
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3
Light the punk or cigarette.
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4
Press the cigarette or punk to the area of the painting you marked with a pencil.
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5
Hold the punk or cigarette still until the painting turns a deep brown. Remember, you are only scorching the surface of the paint and not burning the paper. If the painting starts to turn black or catch fire, dab it with the damp cloth.
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6
Throw the cigarette or punk in the bucket of water when you are done.