Burnishing is a finishing technique in which an object, e.g., metal, wood, clay, is smoothed and polished by rubbing it with a burnishing tool. Burnishing also refers to a color layering technique used with wax or oil-based colored pencils, in which each layer of color is rubbed into the paper until the desired effect is achieved.
Burnishing tools are made of a variety of materials, including bone, metal, wood, or horn. The type of tool you use will depend on the material you’re working with and the desired finish. For example, softer materials like wood or clay can be burnished with a soft-bristled brush, while harder materials like metal will require a more abrasive tool.
To burnish an object, you’ll first need to clean it and remove any dirt or debris. Once it’s clean, you can begin rubbing the burnishing tool over the surface in a circular motion. Continue rubbing until the desired effect is achieved.
