DIY Ombre Geometric Wood Art
A while back I created a large geometric wood wall art piece and pretty much fell in love with creating wood art pieces. But, ever since the last project, I have had so many people asking for another one to share on the blog and on YouTube! So, today I’m back with my amazing friends at Bernzomatic to show you how to create an ombre geometric wood art piece for your home using some fire!
How To Make Ombre Geometric Wood Art
Want to watch this build come to life in a video tutorial? Check it out on YouTube and make sure to subscribe to my channel!
One of the things I love most about this project (besides, everything), is that I was able to make it using a piece of plywood I already had in my shop. So, overall, I personally spent around $15 in material on this build! But, even if you have to buy the half sheet of plywood, you’re still in for under $40 in material!
Even cooler, that ombre gradient you see in this geometric wood art piece was made using FIRE. How cool is that!? Let me show you how!
What You’ll Need:
Tools
BZ4500 Heat Shrink Torch for Large Surface Areas
Bernzomatic Propane Tank
Miter Saw
Circular Saw
Brad Nailer
Sandpaper
Heat Resistant Gloves
Straight Edge/Ruler
Tape Measure
Pencil
Materials
(1) 4′ Tall Wood Lath Bundle
1/2 Sheet 3/4″ Plywood
Wood Glue
Golden Oak Tinted Polyurethane
Clear Spray Paint
1/2″ Brad Nails
D-Ring Picture Hooks
The Steps:
1. Once I had my plywood board sized and ready to go, I used a straight edge to find the center of the plywood board and marked it in both directions.
2. Next, I began cutting my pieces of wood into 45 degree angles. I set my miter saw to 45 degrees, and never moved it to keep the angles consistent. Instead, I just moved the pieces.
3. As I cut my pieces, I gradually laid them out on my board. I didn’t worry too much about the pieces overhanging off of the edge of the board, since I’d be trimming them to size later.
I also made sure to keep all of my offcuts to the side because I will use them later to fill in some gaps.
4. I continued this method until I completely filled in the “x” I wanted to create.
5. After the center boards were done, I lightly sanded them down to prep for wood burning.
6. After sanding the pieces, I made sure to flip them over and label them based on color tone, order, and what quadrant they were in so that I would not lose track of them later.
7. Next, I took the pieces outside and began to torch them using my BZ4500 Trigger Start Heat Shrink Torch and Propane Tank. I used this specific torch because it produced a wide flame and allowed me to add light layers of heat to each piece.
In order to get the ombre effect, I added one extra layer of heat to the board depending on how dark I wanted it to be (i.e., one layer for the light one, two layers for the light medium, three layers for the medium, and four layers for the dark one).
I also made sure to sand the boards in between each layer of heat.
8. After torching the pieces to a place I was happy with, I sealed them with a clear spray paint to prevent the charred wood from shedding onto my furniture.
9. Once I was happy with the gradient in my pieces, I attached them to my plywood board using wood glue and 1/2″ brad nails.
10. At this point, I wasn’t completely happy with the tone of the wood, so I just sealed it all in with a lightly tinted polyurethane to give it more of an amber tone.
11. Once the middle pieces were attached and finished, it was time to prep the filler pieces on the sides, bottom, and top of the wood art piece. I did this by using the cutoff pieces and trimming them to 45 degrees to fit in the spaces.
12. Once the pieces were in an order I was happy with (again, I didn’t worry about them being too long – I knew I would be trimming them later), I labeled each piece to prep them for paint.
13. Next, I painted the pieces white.
14. After the pieces dried, I attached them to the plywood with wood glue and brad nails.
15. Once all of my pieces were in place, I used a circular saw with a track to trim the edges.
16. I wanted the border of the piece to match the wood I already used, so I took a few pieces from the lath bundle and trimmed them on my table saw to match the height of the piece.
17. I then torched them using the BZ4500 torch again to match the piece and sealed them with clear spray paint.
18. I then trimmed them to size and attached them to the plywood.
19. Last step was to add hooks and hang the piece up!
I’ve always had an eclectic style when it comes to wood furniture, so I love that my new ombre art piece pulls all of the different wood tones in my space together!
I still can’t believe that gradient was the result of using a wood torch! Bernzomatic to the rescue!
Want to save this project for later? Make sure to Pin It!
Want more “hot” project ideas (I know, I’m so punny)? Make sure to check out Bernzomatic’s website!
Until next time… Happy DIY’ing!
This post is sponsored by Bernzomatic. While compensation has been received for this post, all design ideas, product opinions, and design choices are my own. For my full disclosure policy, click here.
13 COMMENTS
Sarah
5 years agoI don’t want to make it. I want to buy it! Do you have a shop?!!
Sam
5 years ago AUTHORI wish I did! Not enough time in a day!
Ashley Kohls
4 years agoWhat grit sandpaper did you use between fire treatments?
Sam
4 years ago AUTHORHi! I used 120 grit!
Charles Dorsch
4 years agoWhat Dimensions was the plywood to start with?
Love this and gonna give it a go!
Sam
4 years ago AUTHORThank you! I used half a sheet of plywood!
Alex
4 years agoHow big is it? Hard to tell from the photo.
Sam
4 years ago AUTHORIt’s a half sheet of plywood!
Alex
4 years agoAre you sure you don’t mean a quarter of a sheet? half of a half?
Sam
4 years ago AUTHORNope! Half sheet – 2 x 4′.
Anwar
3 years agoHey I saw ur antique pc of wood work n must say love.. Gonna make it soon.. Tell what size of each pcs in the center.. Thickness of strip n total breadth
April Zimmerman
3 years agoCan you use thinner plywood? My husband is worried about the weight.
Anwar
3 years agoHi Sam… Loved it.. I have started making it.. I m sure u will lyk it.. It may not be lyk as u made.. But surely say gud try…and u yes u r beautiful..