whats the wood again?
keep it on light wood, a nice job would be somewhat lessened if you put paint on it (it can look like its all just painted). Its nice to find subtle particulars that pop out the more you look at it but since you have a somewhat thick layer covering it the light would take away some of the details, be a little heavier when you burn and if possible work on an inlay of light wood. Another solution could be to bleach the areas you want to look lighter.