3d Optical Illusion Wood Art

I wanted to make an interesting wood art wall hanging for my workshop; and I found this fascinating quilting pattern by Ruth Ann Berry. So I decided to use this pattern for a wood art piece, employing four different colored wood species for shading. I could use my laser-cutter to prepare the many individual pieces. Alternatively you could scroll saw the pieces, or use veneer and a sharp knife.

While I was working on this project I also found this Youtube video using the same pattern (but a different building technique) for a wood turning project. Really nice job!

Supplies

• Four different wood species with distinct colors. I used maple, birch, cherry; and dark walnut for the background. I prepared boards that were about 1/8" thick in order to laser-cut the individual pieces.
• A piece of 12" by 12" plywood for the base plate.
• Laser cutter - or you could use a scroll saw. I personally don't have the skills to make accurate cuts.
• Table saw to trim the final wood art piece into a hexagon shape.
• Wood glue, sand paper

Step 1: Laser-cut the Wood Pieces

First I prepared thin boards (about 1/8” thick) of four different colored woods. I used maple, cherry, and birch for the pattern, and dark walnut for the star-shaped background. The maple, cherry, and birch have just enough color contrast to provide shading in the pattern, and bring out the 3-dimensional look of the pattern. The finished piece is 10 inches across.

I 3d printed a few pieces in order to lay out the pattern and facilitate the glue up. But that is optional.

The pattern is based on hexagonal geometry, so all angles are 30 degrees, 60 degrees, and multiples thereof.

Next I laser-cut the various pieces from the thin boards. To make the pattern you need a total of 63 pieces:

For each of maple, birch, and cherry

Shape 1 Two Pieces

Shape 2 One Piece

Shape 3 Four Pieces

Shape 4 Six Pieces

Shape 5 Two Pieces

Shape 6 Two Pieces

For walnut

Star Six Pieces

Triangle Six Pieces

Attached is a table with the cut-list as well as svg files for the eight different shapes.

I paid attention to the wood grain direction when cutting the individual pieces, it makes the finished artwork look more natural. Shape 6 is a mirror image of shape 5.

Step 2: Assemble and Finish

After cutting all the pieces I assembled them on 1/2" thick plywood. I used wood glue to attach the pieces and tried to align them as best as I could. Some small gaps were filled afterwards with CA glue and sawdust.

I used the lightest color (maple) for the 'top' faces, and cherry and birch for the 'left-lit' and 'right-lit' faces respectively. This shading enhances the 3d effect of the art work.

After the glue dried I flattened the surface with a thickness sander; then sanded the surface with 100, 150, and 220 grid.

I trimmed the plywood base flush to create a hexagonal final shape.

Finally I finished everything with several coats of tung oil and attached a wire to the back. Good to go!

I titled this piece "Not A Cube". It adorns my workshop and still confuses me:-)

Step 3: Is It Possible in 3D?

If you want to wrap your head around the illusion; it is actually possible to have in 3D space. I made a movie rotating the illusion. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESN3HCHqqWg

Check it out!