This art project is not only fun, it is a pretty simple idea. That makes it good for beginners who would like to express some creativity in pyrographics, otherwise known as woodburning. Boyscout and Girlscout troops as well as individuals will have fun using this idea as a first time project and, may even want to expand on the idea, after making a few snakes of their own. Let's take a look at what will be needed with regard to tools and materials before I outline directions and suggestions.

• a woodburning pen
• paint brushes
• water container
• color pallet or tray

With your tools awaiting and paint set at hand you are ready to pick out the wood you will use to make a snake. I like to keep a handful of driftwood sticks in my studio. I like to keep as much driftwood as I have room for but that is because it is one of my favorite mediums to create with.

Hunt Some Snake Wood

Let's say you do not have any driftwood laying around and you are going to go hunting for some "snake" wood. A good time to hit the beaches in search of this driftwood is when the wind has been blowing hard into the shore. This washes up more wood than when the wind is blowing away from the shore. I would bet that many of you never gave this much thought. I watch the weather channel so that I am very aware of which way the wind is blowing and how hard. The wind has a great baring on many of my routine activities. I like to fish a few times each week. That wind information often dictates what I do on any given day... so I pay attention.

Now that I have your attention, focus it on SNAKES. That is what you will be looking for in a driftwood stick. The great thing about this is that a straight stick will serve fine as a snake. Then any other stick that strikes you as a possible snake, will probably work. I suggest that you test the sticks you pick for durability. It would be sad to spend a lot of time making a snake that will snap at the slightest force. I think a little shock test is in order when you are making your choice. Experience has taught me that many of my handcrafted snakes wind up in the hands of small children. Little boys can be especially rough on one of these snakes. The right choice of driftwood will ensure a sturdy finished product. Have fun hunting for your snake wood.

Now that you have your driftwood selected let's think about a pattern to decorate the snake with. There are many different kinds of snakes in nature. Some are distinguished from others by their colors and skin patterns. You can try utilizing the natural patterns found on real snakes to decorate your driftwood,or create your own color patterns to design a snake that will match some room or color scheme found in your home or office.This is what always makes artwork fun and exciting. I made a snake a few years ago for a lawyer who works in Chicago. He is an avid comic book collector and I used colors that portrayed his love of the superheros found in comic books. Use your imagination and do not be afraid to experiment with the colors and patterns.

The hardest thing to do is keep the pattern centered on the back of the snake as you are woodburning. I strongly suggest that you make small marks on the center of the back from one end of the driftwood stick to the other so that you can keep your pattern in line with the snakes back. Otherwise you can easily get off track and wind up with the pattern going where you do not want it to be. This is especially true when doing diamond backs. A little practice and you will better understand what I am suggesting here.

You are ready to decorate your snake with color when you are finished woodburning the pattern you picked. You can add just a small amount of color or you can do any combination that works for your idea of a finished project. I have made snakes from simple to detailed and each one is totally unique. Since the material for this project is relatively inexpensive, you can enjoy creating many snakes without spending much money. Have fun with this art project let your imagination run wild.

Children Love These Small Snakes

I have made and sold so many Snakes from driftwood sticks that I have lost count on them. I know that most of them wind up as toys or, decorations for kid's rooms. This is what makes them so much fun.There is a certain pleasure that comes from watching a child play with one of the snakes. I think you too would enjoy the gift of GIVING so, make a snake for someone you know.