Intarsia is an intricate form of woodworking where multiple types of wood are inlayed together to produce a finished product. Intarsia artwork is generally flat with the appearance of a three dimensional image. However, intarsia inlay is often used as decoration on other woodworking projects, such as chairs, pots, and headboards.
Intarsia differs from marquetry. Marquetry looks similar, but it is actually the art of creating decorative patterns by gluing individual pieces of wood to a base product. Intarsia is more like a jigsaw puzzle, where the pieces lock together and create a mosaic. Depth and texture are given to intarsia mosaics by hand sanding and staining individual pieces of wood that will be fit together to create a finished product. Some pieces that the artist decides should stand out may be thicker or thinner than the other pieces around it so that a three dimensional effect is more apparent.
Artists interested in intarsia use different types and shades of wood. They inlay contrasting colors to make the image "pop" from the surface. Skilled artists will angle the wood grain of each piece so that the illusion is even more polished. Stains are often used because working with multiple types of wood can cause problems.
For instance, different woods expand and contract at different points of humidity and temperatures. To avoid an intricate piece of art cracking or popping apart, an artist may use one type of wood throughout and stain individual pieces to create the effect that they are looking for. Another time that you may want to use stain over different types of wood is if only certain types of wood are good for use in your finished product. For example, you wouldn't want to use a soft wood like pine on a project that would be used outside.
A scroll saw is a useful tool for creating pieces that are to be used in intarsia projects. It can be a fun way to use scraps of wood that you have left over from other projects. You can create light switch covers, a hat rack, a picture frame, or a jewelry box just to practice the art. You can use a wood dowel to create hundreds of circles that can be used as abstract pieces or flower centers. Something like a hardwood dowel can be used to create garnishments for your flower bed or garden.
Practice fitting pieces together until you get your technique down. You can hand sand and cut your wood to create unique and personalized pieces. You can also use templates and patterns for simpler projects to get started. Intarsia is an art that can become a lifetime hobby. There are simple designs that you can complete in a few hours or intricate patterns that could take you years to master. Give it a try and see how far you want to take it.
Dave Murphy is the founder and president of Good Wood, Inc., which makes a high quality wood dowel and the best hardwood dowel on the market. Visit http://www.goodwoodinc.com for all of your wood product needs.
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