Here is how one artist used this technique successfully. Her name is Annie Scholl, and she sent me the original greyscale, the enhanced version, and the finished woodburning. It is interesting to see the progression, and how she applied the pattern. This is worth seeing if you are interesting in working with greyscales.

I love working with greyscales since I get the entire depth of shading from the photo. Black and White photos are even better for shading - color sometimes hides shading and sometimes the colors don't look quite right. Black and White doesn't have that problem. Black and White give you the full range of the shading that was in the scene. Since colors can hide the shading values, taking the photograph in Black and White is actually best.

You will need some type of paint program, or photo-enhancing program. I use Paint Shop Pro - it is less expensive than the other one (Photo Shop), and works very well! Of course you must have an electronic (digital) copy of the photo you wish to use. You can get this by scanning an existing photo or taking the photo with a digital camera.

If it is a color photo, simply change it to a greyscale in the photo editing program. There is usually an option to do this in the 'Colors' menu. Just click on the menu option and the program will convert it to a greyscale. Now, you need to look at the result and see if it is still suitable - did certain colors render as the same shade of grey? If so, then you may need to work more with the photo first, by changing that color to another (another thing Paint Shop Pro is great at doing!).

Once you have the greyscale, you need to enhance it slightly to bring out the 'texture' that will make it more evident as to what to use as woodburning lines. Here is Annie's greyscale and enhancement:

Notice how the enhanced picture seems to define better where the beginning woodburning lines should be located. Notice how the trees appear more 'stick-like', along with the subjects nose and mouth area. There is little doubt now as to where to draw the lines for woodburning.

Additionally, you can see more clearly the areas to be shaded, since the contrast is greater. This is a definite plus when creating portraits. Remember, it is the shading which creates the form of any object!

Once you have an enhanced picture (using an edge enhancement tool in the paint program), you can use it as you would any other pattern. You would trace the features of the subject and background as if they were lines - the outlines of the mouth, nose, eyes, beard, clothing, trees, and anything else of significance. I would not put in shading indications at this time since that could make the drawing on the wood look confusing. I usually burn the shading on after the 'outlines' have been burnt.

Anyway, here is the finished work that Annie created from the enhanced greyscale:

I hoped this may have answered some of your questions that you may have had concerning working with greyscale images for patterns.

And Thank You, Annie, for allowing me to share your work with others!