Thank you. That ship took me almost 4 hours to transfer and then another 5 hours to burn and add a finishing wood wax to it. Other items that don't have all the details will take much less time.zzyzzogeton wrote: ↑Wed Jan 25, 2023 5:59 am That's all excellent work. How long does it take for you to transfer a picture (say like the sailing ship) to the wood using carbon paper?
wood burning
- dlr110
- Gold Tier
- Posts: 5980
- Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2016 4:24 am
- Location: Ponder, Texas
Re: wood burning
David L Roberts
U.S. Navy and D/FW International Airport Retired
U.S. Navy and D/FW International Airport Retired
- zzyzzogeton
- Posts: 1808
- Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2017 8:47 pm
- Location: In the Heart of Texas on the Blackland Prairie
Re: wood burning
I don't know if this technique would help or even work, but there is an etching technique for transfering pictures to plates of metal that MIGHT save you some time. I was researching transfer techniques since my drawing skills just draw heavy vacuum back when I thought about doing wood-burning but just never seemed to have the time to get started.
What you do for metal etching is you print the picture you want to etch in white on black in mirror fashion so that the printout is mostly black and backwards.
Then you iron the picture onto the plate of metal and the black transfers to the metal. When you run the metal through the etching process, the black ink protects the metal where the now-front facing picture is and eats down into the unprotected metal.
I've wondered if you printed out the line-drawing picture you want to put on the wood in the same reverse/mirror image in the "normal" black on white fashion, if you could iron the ink onto the wood the way you can on the metal to get a black ink line drawing.
Might save you a few hours on each picture if it works.
What you do for metal etching is you print the picture you want to etch in white on black in mirror fashion so that the printout is mostly black and backwards.
Then you iron the picture onto the plate of metal and the black transfers to the metal. When you run the metal through the etching process, the black ink protects the metal where the now-front facing picture is and eats down into the unprotected metal.
I've wondered if you printed out the line-drawing picture you want to put on the wood in the same reverse/mirror image in the "normal" black on white fashion, if you could iron the ink onto the wood the way you can on the metal to get a black ink line drawing.
Might save you a few hours on each picture if it works.
- dlr110
- Gold Tier
- Posts: 5980
- Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2016 4:24 am
- Location: Ponder, Texas
Re: wood burning
There are a couple of similar techniques. One is you reverse your image and print it on a printer using toner and then place it face down on your wood. Using your wood burner with a flat iron attachment gently rub it over the back of the paper. The heat transfers the image to the wood. Another is using wax paper or a sheet that had labels on it. You do the same as the first one and you put the slick side with the image on the wood and gentle rub the back of the paper with something like a credit card and when you lift the paper it leaves the image on the wood. I've tried both and I haven't been real successful yet. When you have a project with a lot of small details the lines seem to be all combined. Also I'm always changing something in the picture and in that case it's best to trace it, that way you can choose what to include or leave out.
Thank you for your interest. I also have a gallery of what I've done on my website davidsblades.com
Thank you for your interest. I also have a gallery of what I've done on my website davidsblades.com
David L Roberts
U.S. Navy and D/FW International Airport Retired
U.S. Navy and D/FW International Airport Retired
- dlr110
- Gold Tier
- Posts: 5980
- Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2016 4:24 am
- Location: Ponder, Texas
Re: wood burning
In the first picture I got the grist mill idea from a picture online and then I would say about half of what you see was my creation.
The whole building was not there, the forest was only a few trees, the water did not come all the way into the foreground and there was no ground cover. I also added the clouds and of course my signature 3 birds.
The second is the AWACS squadron that my oldest son was in before he retired from the Air Force.
The whole building was not there, the forest was only a few trees, the water did not come all the way into the foreground and there was no ground cover. I also added the clouds and of course my signature 3 birds.
The second is the AWACS squadron that my oldest son was in before he retired from the Air Force.
David L Roberts
U.S. Navy and D/FW International Airport Retired
U.S. Navy and D/FW International Airport Retired
- dlr110
- Gold Tier
- Posts: 5980
- Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2016 4:24 am
- Location: Ponder, Texas
Re: wood burning
This is our country church and then the actor Sam Elliott. I need to learn how to do clouds and trees better.

David L Roberts
U.S. Navy and D/FW International Airport Retired
U.S. Navy and D/FW International Airport Retired
- zzyzzogeton
- Posts: 1808
- Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2017 8:47 pm
- Location: In the Heart of Texas on the Blackland Prairie
Re: wood burning
Those trees look just fine, especially if you assume that they are crepe myrtles. 

- dlr110
- Gold Tier
- Posts: 5980
- Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2016 4:24 am
- Location: Ponder, Texas
Re: wood burning
This is what I've been mostly doing while we've been iced in here.
The first one is an example of when your subject matter does not fit the size of your canvas.
Faces I've got some more practice to do and landscape I don't know.
.
The first one is an example of when your subject matter does not fit the size of your canvas.
Faces I've got some more practice to do and landscape I don't know.
.
David L Roberts
U.S. Navy and D/FW International Airport Retired
U.S. Navy and D/FW International Airport Retired
- TPK
- Posts: 10680
- Joined: Sun Mar 31, 2019 6:16 pm
- Location: Bayern, Germany
Re: wood burning
Awesome David!
I especially like that Rooster!





TOM - KGFG - (Knife-Guy-From-Germany)
I believe..., every knife is a soul, looking for a soulmate.
Weebit-Nano https://www.weebit-nano.com/
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weebit_Nano
US - ARMY - COMBAT - ENGINEERS - 1990 - 1993 - God Bless Our Troops!
I believe..., every knife is a soul, looking for a soulmate.

Weebit-Nano https://www.weebit-nano.com/
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weebit_Nano
US - ARMY - COMBAT - ENGINEERS - 1990 - 1993 - God Bless Our Troops!
- dlr110
- Gold Tier
- Posts: 5980
- Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2016 4:24 am
- Location: Ponder, Texas
Re: wood burning
These are what I've done in the past week or so.
The last two I'm taking to my daughter and son in law.
The barn with the burn spot on it was not me, it was there and the other side was even
worse. That is the best I could work it in I think.
.
The last two I'm taking to my daughter and son in law.
The barn with the burn spot on it was not me, it was there and the other side was even
worse. That is the best I could work it in I think.
.
David L Roberts
U.S. Navy and D/FW International Airport Retired
U.S. Navy and D/FW International Airport Retired
- Nev52
- Bronze Tier
- Posts: 1235
- Joined: Thu Sep 14, 2017 12:37 am
- Location: Pennsylvania
Re: wood burning
David, Great work!!
Nev


Nev
- dlr110
- Gold Tier
- Posts: 5980
- Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2016 4:24 am
- Location: Ponder, Texas
Re: wood burning
Did these in the last week or so. The last one was requested by a young lad for his
uncle's tractor business. It on a raw wood plank 16"x11"
I'm still collecting and working on knives but this stuff sure is fun...
uncle's tractor business. It on a raw wood plank 16"x11"
I'm still collecting and working on knives but this stuff sure is fun...

David L Roberts
U.S. Navy and D/FW International Airport Retired
U.S. Navy and D/FW International Airport Retired
- zzyzzogeton
- Posts: 1808
- Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2017 8:47 pm
- Location: In the Heart of Texas on the Blackland Prairie
Re: wood burning
Nice work.
-
- Gold Tier
- Posts: 21444
- Joined: Mon Sep 18, 2017 2:35 am
- Location: Grand Prairie, Texas
- dlr110
- Gold Tier
- Posts: 5980
- Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2016 4:24 am
- Location: Ponder, Texas
Re: wood burning
Did these two yesterday. My lettering is not very good on the clock and I still need to get the clockworks for it.
The little girl reminds me of one of my nieces.
The little girl reminds me of one of my nieces.
David L Roberts
U.S. Navy and D/FW International Airport Retired
U.S. Navy and D/FW International Airport Retired
- dlr110
- Gold Tier
- Posts: 5980
- Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2016 4:24 am
- Location: Ponder, Texas
Re: wood burning
Here are my two latest wood burnings.
I doubt if any of the markings are correct.
The dreaded Pirate. Now his target of opportunity a Dutch warship.
I doubt if any of the markings are correct.
The dreaded Pirate. Now his target of opportunity a Dutch warship.
David L Roberts
U.S. Navy and D/FW International Airport Retired
U.S. Navy and D/FW International Airport Retired
-
- Posts: 942
- Joined: Mon Nov 21, 2022 3:25 pm
- Location: U.S. Dixieland
Re: wood burning
You have a real talent David, your pics are great!
My father took up oil painting in the winter of about 1989 and like you said he also just loved his new hobby. He pretty much quit working on guns and painted a lot. God blessed you for sure!
You can lead a person to wisdom, but you can’t make them think
Where I am is where I’ll be!!
Jimbo

Where I am is where I’ll be!!
Jimbo
- dlr110
- Gold Tier
- Posts: 5980
- Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2016 4:24 am
- Location: Ponder, Texas
Re: wood burning
Thank you very much Sir. I don't know about my talent but I'm sure having fun doing them.Oledadsknives wrote: ↑Fri Mar 10, 2023 5:29 amYou have a real talent David, your pics are great!
My father took up oil painting in the winter of about 1989 and like you said he also just loved his new hobby. He pretty much quit working on guns and painted a lot. God blessed you for sure!
David L Roberts
U.S. Navy and D/FW International Airport Retired
U.S. Navy and D/FW International Airport Retired
- dlr110
- Gold Tier
- Posts: 5980
- Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2016 4:24 am
- Location: Ponder, Texas
Re: wood burning
These are a couple of boxes I did for two of my grandkids in Georgia.
The next two are the basic drawings I just finished. The windmill will have some hills and bushes in the background, grass up front and those are suppose to be bluebonnets up front. Cheryl wanted a windmill and this one is on a 16" plank.
The last one is of course the Roman Colosseum. I've been there and have some pictures but I'm not sure what else I'm going to put in the picture yet.
The next two are the basic drawings I just finished. The windmill will have some hills and bushes in the background, grass up front and those are suppose to be bluebonnets up front. Cheryl wanted a windmill and this one is on a 16" plank.
The last one is of course the Roman Colosseum. I've been there and have some pictures but I'm not sure what else I'm going to put in the picture yet.
David L Roberts
U.S. Navy and D/FW International Airport Retired
U.S. Navy and D/FW International Airport Retired
- Ripster
- Gold Tier
- Posts: 4597
- Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2020 6:37 pm
- Location: Eau Claire ,wi.USA
Re: wood burning
Very very well done David . Your dedication to your new hobby is amazing and quality has come a long ways.dlr110 wrote: ↑Sat Apr 01, 2023 1:49 am These are a couple of boxes I did for two of my grandkids in Georgia.
The next two are the basic drawings I just finished. The windmill will have some hills and bushes in the background, grass up front and those are suppose to be bluebonnets up front. Cheryl wanted a windmill and this one is on a 16" plank.
The last one is of course the Roman Colosseum. I've been there and have some pictures but I'm not sure what else I'm going to put in the picture yet.
20230331_200319.jpg20230331_202133.jpg20230331_202149.jpg


Your lettering on the 2 boxes is great . Thanks for sharing .
JP
- dlr110
- Gold Tier
- Posts: 5980
- Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2016 4:24 am
- Location: Ponder, Texas
Re: wood burning
Thank you JP I'm sure the two little ones will enjoy them.Ripster wrote: ↑Sat Apr 01, 2023 2:13 pmVery very well done David . Your dedication to your new hobby is amazing and quality has come a long ways.dlr110 wrote: ↑Sat Apr 01, 2023 1:49 am These are a couple of boxes I did for two of my grandkids in Georgia.
The next two are the basic drawings I just finished. The windmill will have some hills and bushes in the background, grass up front and those are suppose to be bluebonnets up front. Cheryl wanted a windmill and this one is on a 16" plank.
The last one is of course the Roman Colosseum. I've been there and have some pictures but I'm not sure what else I'm going to put in the picture yet.
20230331_200319.jpg20230331_202133.jpg20230331_202149.jpg![]()
![]()
Your lettering on the 2 boxes is great . Thanks for sharing .
David L Roberts
U.S. Navy and D/FW International Airport Retired
U.S. Navy and D/FW International Airport Retired
-
- Posts: 748
- Joined: Tue Mar 27, 2018 3:59 pm
- Location: Michigan
Re: wood burning
Nice work on all those pieces. 

- dlr110
- Gold Tier
- Posts: 5980
- Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2016 4:24 am
- Location: Ponder, Texas
Re: wood burning
Thank you Doug.
Here is the finished windmill, those are suppose to be Texas Bluebonnets in the foreground.
I'm still working of the Colosseum.
Here is the finished windmill, those are suppose to be Texas Bluebonnets in the foreground.
I'm still working of the Colosseum.
David L Roberts
U.S. Navy and D/FW International Airport Retired
U.S. Navy and D/FW International Airport Retired
-
- Posts: 748
- Joined: Tue Mar 27, 2018 3:59 pm
- Location: Michigan
Re: wood burning
That's my favorite so far. Nice detail and that little bit of color is perfect!
- dlr110
- Gold Tier
- Posts: 5980
- Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2016 4:24 am
- Location: Ponder, Texas
Re: wood burning
Just finished these two up this evening. Boy do I still need some work on my clouds! Maybe lessons.
I also need to pick better wood to use.
I also need to pick better wood to use.
David L Roberts
U.S. Navy and D/FW International Airport Retired
U.S. Navy and D/FW International Airport Retired
- dlr110
- Gold Tier
- Posts: 5980
- Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2016 4:24 am
- Location: Ponder, Texas
Re: wood burning
Did this one yesterday to go in my son in laws church office.
.
.
David L Roberts
U.S. Navy and D/FW International Airport Retired
U.S. Navy and D/FW International Airport Retired