You don't have to use color! Most woodburnings look very good without any color other than the various shades of the wood and the burnt lines.

When you do use color, use it sparingly! Like shading, a little color goes a long way. I ruined a very good work once by adding too much color. I kept it like that as a reminder to myself what can happen if you overdo it. The grain and the natural beauty of the wood must show through.

If color is used properly it looks very natural, not forced. It should never be bold, but just a subtle hint that there may be a color there. You should have a very good reason to put a touch of color anywhere. Remember! This is not a painting, it is a woodburning. And if you really want a blue sky, do not ever make it solid - just a few streaks placed well will convey the message! So, with that said, let's see how to add a little color!

First, make sure that you are using an oil-based pastel - they are not crayons, although they do look similar. Try this on the back of the board first, to practice. If you haven't noticed, I want you to first practice every new thing that you are learning. Woodburning, and coloring it, is a rather permanent medium. It is not like a painting, where you can move the paint around until you get it right. It is closer to watercolor than anything. You must put your lines and color where you want them - and you must know how to do it before you start. Therefore, you must practice first. OK, enough of the soap box!

Let's start! Apply a small stroke of color. Now, spread it around and rub it into the grain of the wood WITH YOUR FINGER! The heat from your finger will slightly melt the color and allow it to be moved and worked into the grain. Try not to get the color onto the burnt lines or shading. It should go on the bare wood so it can be absorbed. If you do get it on the burnt areas, it can be removed easily with a toothpick or pencil, but it's easier to avoid the lines in most cases. It comes off easily from burnt areas because the burning seals the wood, and the color cannot get in and does not look real. It looks like it is sitting on top, and you do not want that look.

The final strokes of the color should be in the direction of the grain. This will make the color flow with the wood.

For highlights make a mark of color where you want it (usually a very small area, like a dot) and leave it alone. Touching it will dull the highlight and spread it around. Adding a few highlights should be the last thing you do. Put the highlight where you want it, and move on!