I need some help choosing wood

[Magpie]

I'm making a horse intarsia for my friend who has a bright red chestnut, about this color http://www.telusplanet.net/public/rl...howjumping.jpg

I have some bubinga but it looks too dark for that--what about bloodwood? Any other suggestions for woods to look at? This horse is all solid red except for a small white blaze on his face, so I can't fake it like I can with multi-colored animals, hehe. (that is, using the right tone even if the color is a bit off).

[Janette]

Bubinga is RED. I'm thinking that horse looks more like cherry to me.

[ragiarn]

Mahogany is another good choice. It has a very fine grain that almost resembles the horse's short hair. See attached photo.

Doc

[Don Williamson]

I should think you could find a cherry to match,.

[workin for wood]

Nightmare to cut and shape, but mahogany santos is about bang on as it could be for that color when finished with clear coat. Very classy wood.

[Bruce P]

Padauk (as sold by Rockler) appears to be pretty close in color (at least on my monitor).

[Magpie]

I looked at some padauk and it is just right, but I read that it fades really fast. Do you find that to be true?

These other choices look pretty good--guess I'll just call my woodman and tell him to go dig in the woodpile and find me something nice I have some cherry already but it's more pink than red, and the mahogany I have is too brown. I know there are tons of variations in each species though.

[Janette]

Originally Posted by Magpie

I looked at some padauk and it is just right, but I read that it fades really fast. Do you find that to be true?

These other choices look pretty good--guess I'll just call my woodman and tell him to go dig in the woodpile and find me something nice I have some cherry already but it's more pink than red, and the mahogany I have is too brown. I know there are tons of variations in each species though.

Padauk will turn a brownish dark color after time.

Cherry does darken quite a bit, which is why I think it is a good choice. If it looks light initially, stick it in the sun for awhile - or lacking that- tell them that it will darken to the proper color. Here's a dachshund I did in all cherry and set in the sun after sanding to get it to darken up. Some boards are also darker than others- just like any wood. The right piece of mahogany would also work.
dachshundpuppyweb.jpg

[Magpie]

Ooo that's just about right--guess me and my cherry wood will hit the beach tomorrow!

[f250]

Yeah, watch out for the Padauk, it gets REALLY dark after a bit of time...

Tom