Scroll Saw Realistic Faces and Skin Tones (No Staining!)

It’s pretty easy to make scroll saw art using contrasting wood colors, but what if you want a realistic picture? How do you make realistic faces, skin tones, and other artistic effects using wood? The key isn’t using wood species with contrasting colors. It’s about finding just the right variations of the same wood color. In this scroll saw project I wanted to make this insanely cool picture of a gorilla wearing a hoodie. Basically, the entire picture is made up of variations of browns. That’s not anything new for scroll sawing, but the difference in this case was trying to make the scroll saw art flow gradually from one color to the next, giving a 3D effect and making the skin tones look realistic, even though they are made from wood.

The scroll saw tips and tricks I used can be utilized in just about any woodworking project. Take your time to select the right wood species with the colors you want. Spend a lot of time planning before ever cutting. The results are clear – amazing wood scroll saw art that leaps off the canvas!

00:00 The Artwork
00:34 The Problem!
01:34 Shop Made Veneer Press
03:24 Scroll Saw Panel
05:16 Wood Species for Scroll Sawing
05:50 Scroll Saw Project Background
07:16 Cutting a Silhouette
09:17 Perfect Scroll Saw Piece Alignment
10:53 Stack Cutting Scroll Saw Boards
12:53 Making Highlights in Wood Art
13:24 Tips for Cutting Small Wood Pieces
14:55 Wood Species for Skin Tones
18:25 Wood Color Variations
18:58 Drilling Pilot Holes for Scroll Sawing
25:45 Applying Finish to Wood

•• About Newton Makes Art••
I’m Billy and I make fun things. This channel is devoted to making scroll saw art. I also have my main channel that shows how to build all kinds of cool stuff. Sometimes, it’s something I need like tool storage ideas. Other times it’s silly or nerdy stuff that I want to build. If you want to get ideas for making stuff, or just want to watch something entertaining then make sure you subscribe.

•• My Links ••
My website: https://newtonmakes.com
Check out my main channel!    / newtonmakes  
My merch: https://newtonmakes.com/merch
Make a veneer press!    • This Changed EVERYTHING in My Woodwor...  
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Here’s a list of tools and materials that I used to make this project. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
•• Tools & Materials ••
My Amazon Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/newtonmakes
Scroll Saw: https://amzn.to/2TVZEQO
Magnifying glass: https://amzn.to/3ukN1kC
#2 crown tooth scroll saw blades: https://amzn.to/3rSJbOF
#5 crown tooth scroll saw blades: https://amzn.to/3MUyVwH
Glue roller: https://amzn.to/46jJBwv
Mini glue brush: https://amzn.to/3EZ2993
Contact paper: https://amzn.to/3PeVsV8
Wood Glue: https://amzn.to/3cwHkHb
Spray Adhesive: https://amzn.to/3obvJyc
CA glue: https://amzn.to/2XcgrO0
CA glue accelerator: https://amzn.to/33bZ3Np
Spray Lacquer: homedepot.sjv.io/5gm0M9
X-acto knife: https://amzn.to/4agQ5yC
Drywall knife: https://amzn.to/4bhIW1r
Dremel: https://amzn.to/3bfPSwg
Dremel router base: https://amzn.to/49mvdEA
Micro drill bits: https://amzn.to/3SoL0fs
Sanding sticks: https://amzn.to/3QZ5X14
Artwork was licensed from Adobe Stock

Links to Pre-Milled Thin Boards:
Wenge veneer: https://wisewoodveneer.com/product/we...
Cherry veneer: https://wisewoodveneer.com/product/ch...
1/4” thick (4x24) walnut: https://amzn.to/48QH3Hj
1/4” thick (4x12) sycamore: https://www.cherokeewood.com/store/sy...
1/4" thick (4/12) holly: https://coffeetreehardwoods.com/produ...