Sailboat at Sea

[FrankEV]

This framed 12” x 16”  Intarsia Art was made from a pattern that I created from an image of an abstract painting that featured a bright Yellow sky. The Artist is unknown.  Wood used: Aspen, Blue Pine, Black Limba, Roasted Birch, Sapele and Walnut for the Frame.  The Spinnaker sail was cut from a different piece of what I thought was Aspen but may have been Butternut as it darkened when the finish was applied. The clear parts of the Blue Pine used for the sky pieces were enhanced with an application of a very diluted Yellow dye.  The finish is Clear Semi-Gloss Spray Lacquer.     

 

 

As allways, comments and critiques welcome.

Edit: Pattern posted in Pattern Exchange.

Edited January 14 by FrankEV

[rjweb]

Frank, that's another beautiful piece, RJ

[preprius]

it took me a little thinking why a yellow sky. 

Then I saw the sun right above the seagul's head. The circular grain and then the thin clouds of the morning is causing yellow sky.  The scene just pops as soon as I saw the sun. 

Rough water at dawn. 

Or 

Sinking sail boat at dawn. 

HaHa the wave behind it took it down.

Just sharing my view point and making stories.

Good job.

Me. Mark Eason

[barb.j.enders]

What a lovely project @FrankEV.  A darker spinnaker is not uncommon.  We had an orange one on our Lightning.  And a multi-coloured one on our O'Day. The waves are perfect.  Looks like a great day for a sail.

[daveww1]

great job

[Scrappile]

I think it makes a very pleasant, daydreaming picture.  Nice piece.

[wombatie]

Beautiful.   Excellent work Frank.

Marg

[Scrolling Steve]

Very nice work! .... All the woods work !

[JimNC]

Beautiful. Did you make make the frame too?

 

[Gonzo]

Beautiful!

[FrankEV]

1 hour ago, JimNC said:

Beautiful. Did you make make the frame too?

 

Yes.  The frame is rabbeted to sit on the 1/4 inch thick extended backer and glued in place.

[TAIrving]

Frank,

This is a very well composed picture and exudes calm and peace.  And very well crafted.  I like it a lot.

Two things seem just a tiny bit off.  One is the color of the waves; at first glance, the light brown comes across like sand and makes it look like the sailboat is grounded.  Then I see the whitecaps and structure of the waves and it is ok.  

Second is the side of the hull.  I think of wooden boats as being made of horizontally oriented boards.  But you have the grain of the wood running vertically.  

Just being picky.  As I said, I really like the overall effect.

[retmsgt]

Outstanding Creation!

[FrankEV]

On 1/12/2026 at 9:32 AM, TAIrving said:

 

On 1/12/2026 at 9:32 AM, TAIrving said:

...Two things seem just a tiny bit off.  One is the color of the waves. 

Second is the side of the hull.  I think of wooden boats as being made of horizontally oriented boards.  But you have the grain of the wood running vertically.  

 

The photo colors are not too accurate. The nearest water is blue ( more grey) from Blue Pine.  The far water is Black Limba that is a mottled color that has a faint green tinge.  Blues and Greens are difficult to find in natural wood and I  did not want to use dye or stain to enhance the water color.  

Yes, the grain direction would have been better more horizontal.  Sapele does not have a strong grain anyway so not a very visual foopar.

Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated.

[timelett]

Beautiful work,what kind of die was used for the sky? Would it work for poplar wood?

[Denny Knappen]

A work of art.

[FrankEV]

7 hours ago, timelett said:

...,what kind of die was used for the sky? Would it work for poplar wood?

The Brand is Keda Dye.  I purchased the 5 color kit (https://www.ebay.com/itm/355444405005).  Very concentrate, a tiny amount goes a long way.  For the amount of wood  I dye, it will long outlive me.

Works on any wood.  Resulting color will vary based on color of wood.  Light color wood dyes truer to color than dark wood.  I have enhanced the green heartwood of poplar for leaves with green dye often.

[Joe W.]

Hello Frank,

I see you haven't slowed down a bit - still making beautiful pieces.

Regards the dye - does it raise the grain, and if so, do you do anything about it?  

[FrankEV]

On 1/15/2026 at 4:49 PM, Joe W. said:

Hello Frank,

I see you haven't slowed down a bit - still making beautiful pieces.

Regards the dye - does it raise the grain, and if so, do you do anything about it?  

I dye after pieces are shaped and finish sanding.  Usually apply the dye with air brush or rag..  Yes it will raise the grain, but after assembly, I use a sanding mop on a wand to do a final light sanding to entire piece.  Does not affect the dyed wood.  Then a final buffing  with a buffing wheel on a wand before applying finish.

[Joe W.]

Frank

thanks for the details.  
I plan on experimenting with dye soon and every bit of information helps.