1. Prep by sanding  The smoother the surface you have to start with, the better.  Use a fine sandpaper, like a 400 grit to sand over your gourd and wipe clean.  Feel it- you should notice a difference and your pen will too! 2. Build your values slowly If you start on a lower temperature and burn over an area slowly, the more you burn over the same area the darker it will be.  Advantages to working this way are more control over the value, and less chance of burning it too ...