This book presents a large-scale project for intarsia enthusiasts -- a lazy lion stretched out in the sun. Detailed, step-by-step instructions will explain how to select varieties of wood, use a pattern, cut and shape pieces, fit them together precisely, and finish your piece. Crabtree gives many insider's secrets for making sure that your pieces align correctly, and for choosing the best contours and finishes. While even a novice to intarsia will find that Crabtree's tips make their projects fit better and look more professional, this book is absolutely necessary for anyone who wishes to move on to more advanced intarsia techniques. With this book, you will learn the subtleties of painting with wood, creating beautiful three-dimensional pictures with pieces in different colors and varieties of wood.

Intarsia is a craft of precision and artistry. A picture is created by cutting out and then fitting together many pieces of differently colored and textured woods, much like a jigsaw puzzle. These pieces are then rounded and shaped individually, to create realistic contours and lend a three-dimensional effect. When the pieces are varnished, fitted together, and glued onto a backboard, they make a beautifully polished, professional-looking piece. Step-by-step, this book shows you how to make an intarsia teddy bear wall hanging, perfect for a child's bedroom. The project is ideal for someone just starting to learn the art of intarsia, teaching basic techniques (from selecting your wood to hanging your finished piece) and showing how to deal with common difficulties and pitfalls. Also included are patterns for a girl teddy bear and a dinosaur.