What is Marquetry?
Marquetry is a woodworking technique in which images are made by cutting and assembling different pieces of veneer (thin sheets of wood) which are then glued onto a substrate (a thicker, solid surface such as solid wood or fiberboard). Some marquetry artists include other materials, like shell or metal, in their pieces along with wood veneer.
People often assume that marquetry pieces are painted, but there is no paint involved in the process. The images are made using different colors of wood with different grain patterns.
At some point, I will make my own video explaining the marquetry process, but in the meantime, here is a video tutorial that my dad made.
Is Marquetry the Same as Inlay?
Inlay and marquetry are related and often produce similar-looking results, but the processes are different. Inlay involves inserting wood or other materials into a depression that has been carved or cut out of a surface. Marquetry is made by cutting two contrasting veneers together, one on top of the other, so that they can fit together like puzzle pieces.