Artistic question. Technique ?

[preprius]

So my work in progress on my hat rack is under question.  here is the link to that post.

I have decided to make a 20 mule team on the front of the rack. 

The flat panel is 35 inches long 4 inches high. 

I want to make this more of an art piece.  @FrankEV 

I printed a good old picture on line of the 20 mule team in action in the desert. I glued this the the wood.  The problem with using old photos and a long object is detail.  But this will work well on my piece of wood. The picture has a slight angle that shows a 3d effect on wagons and mules team. 

Question... To enhance this 3d feel I want to either add the pieces to the flat wood,  OR should I just cut the pieces to emboss (relief) the animal and wagons.  The size of the wood prevents me to true angle cut to do the relief. I would need to only angle the left and right parts of the objects. 

the second and 3rd picture shows the add on pieces technique. This has a 15 degree angle cut to try to show they mules are going away. 

All wood is 3/8 thick.  I plan to stain the animals and wagons to make then stand out even more. 

Ok now for open end questions. 

What else can I do to enhance this project?

The mules can be painted instead of stained. This adds a lot of work to try to get the harnesses and ropes. Painting will also be able to get the human details. 

I traced a real horshoe and cut 2 of them for possible ends.

All suggestion welcome.  Even the 20 mule team can be thrown out for a better idea. 

Me.

Mark Eason

Edited August 11 by preprius

[jollyred]

One way to raise the figures would be to cut them out at 90 degrees, then use a shim on the backs.  This will leave a kerf around the figure, but this could be filled with sawdust, or the figure dyed a darker color so the kerf is less noticeable.  Try this on a scrap piece to see if the affect is to your liking.  Using a small blade with a minimal kerf would be helpful.

One way to make this a bragging piece would be to do some carving on the figures.  Another way would be to add color to it.  White for the canvas on the wagons and brown lines for the harness on the mules, etc.

Tom

[blondewood]

I would use thinner wood for the mules and cut them so the angle is thinner on top of the mule.  OR i would cut that board in 1/2, do angled cuts so the mules can be 'pushed' through.  Reattach with glue or attach to a backer board to join them.   OR make the mules of thinner wood, maybe 1/4 or 1/3 inch and round the edges with a flap sander in your drill press.  I would stain the back board with a light stain and the mules with dark stain for contrast.   I look forward to seeing the finishe project.

[Dan]

Intarsia would be cool. Dimension and contrast. 

[Denny Knappen]

I would raise the figures using a slight angle.  Test the angle to get the best results.