Intarsia is technique you are describing is called intarsia. Often referred to as “painting with wood,” it involves carefully cutting, shaping, and piecing together various species and grain types to create intricate, mosaic-like, three-dimensional designs (that often involve perspective).
Key Characteristics
- Dimensionality: Unlike flat inlays, intarsia pieces are individually carved, sanded, and sometimes raised to create a distinct, realistic illusion of depth and texture.
- No Stains or Paint: The distinct colours, patterns, and contrasts you see are almost entirely achieved using the natural colours and grain directions of different wood species.
- The Process: Pieces are cut using a scroll saw or band saw, fitted together like a jigsaw puzzle, and then glued onto a backer board.
Related Techniques:
While similar, Intarsia differs from related woodworking methods:
- Wood Mosaic: Often involves repeating geometric shapes or tiles rather than shaping pieces to form a specific pictorial image
- Marquetry: A process of arranging thin wood veneers to form a flat, two-dimensional decorative pattern.