Chinese Dragon Plaque - Intarsia

[FrankEV]

I located this image online at least three years ago and saved it to my computer with the intention of adapting it for scroll saw artwork.  My initial concept was to create a piece of fretwork art; however, the design was not particularly suitable for that technique, and the pattern remained undeveloped.  More recently, while reviewing my files, I rediscovered the image and determined that it would be better suited to Intarsia.  I then developed a 232-piece pattern for an 11 ½" x 17 ½" Chinese Dragon Plaque featuring an integral border and beveled frame.  Although the original image used only red and black, I added yellow to define the dragon’s belly.  Wood used: Bloodwood, Wenge, and Yellowheart. The completed assembly was finished with multiple coats of clear semi-gloss lacquer. Artist FYI: The red background is visually appealing; however, Bloodwood proved darker than ideal for this design. Its deep tone reduces the contrast with the black dragon, making some details less distinct. For stronger visual definition, a lighter red wood, such as Red Oak, may have been a better choice.

Comments and Critiques allways welcome.

The pattern is available in Pattern Exchange.  

 

 

Edited Saturday at 04:39 PM by FrankEV

[rjweb]

Frank, another excellent piece, RJ

[AUTOMILE]

Beautifully done!

[preprius]

Frank,

I see how you say the deep red and wenge needs higher contrast.  My opinion is the deep red adds so much danger feel.  A light red oak would not danger lurking.  Maybe make an outer hiliter around the dragon?  flames surounding dragon?

I like it the way you did it.  Excellently.

 

Mark

[jerry walters]

I don't know how you do it, but keep up the good work.

Jerry

[wombatie]

Excellent work.

Marg

[daveww1]

great job

[TAIrving]

Great job Frank!  Super pattern and very well executed.  

My thoughts on contrast: the contrast between the body and the belly is greater than the contrast between the body and the background.  It might be better if that were reversed, maybe by using a different wood for background as you suggested.  

Is the dragon raised above the background?  I could not tell from the picture.  

[FrankEV]

20 hours ago, TAIrving said:

Great job Frank!  Super pattern and very well executed.  

My thoughts on contrast: the contrast between the body and the belly is greater than the contrast between the body and the background.  It might be better if that were reversed, maybe by using a different wood for background as you suggested.  

Is the dragon raised above the background?  I could not tell from the picture.  

Slightly.  The Wenge was about 13/16"  while the Bloodwod was just 3/4".  Thw Wenge did not take on the strong black when the finish was applied like it has in other projects done in the past.  Ebony might have worked better, but too expensive  for me.

 

[barb.j.enders]

Stunning.