How to Make Soot
- 1). Arrange a small amount of wood in a location that is safe for burning. Grills and fireplaces are ideal for this. Typically, choosing wood that doesn't produce much smoke is a good idea, but in this instance, woods that produce a lot of smoke are desirable. Green or partially-seasoned woods produce a lot of smoke, and soft woods, like cedar and pine, also produce a lot of smoke.
- 2). Stand two bricks on their short ends on either side of your wood, then place a large bowl upside-down on top of the bricks. This will catch the soot. Metal or ceramic bowls are better for this than plastic bowls, and the setup must be high enough above your fire that the bowl does not smother the flames.
- 3). Light the fire with the matches. If the wood resists lighting, lightly crumple a little paper, put it under the wood, and light the paper first.
- 4). Wait until the fire has completely died out and the bowl has cooled. Turn the bowl over; the inside will have a layer of soot. Any wood that did not burn completely and remains as a solid charcoal can also be used for pigment once powdered.
