BONSAI DESIGN CONCEPTS
There are some general guidelines when it comes to matching a bonsai with a pot. Coniferous trees such as pines are usually placed in unglazed pots while deciduous trees can be placed in either unglazed or glazed pots. The color is very important. The container’s color should compliment the tree’s foliage or flowers. A deep blue pot might be perfect for a maple that will blaze with red and orange leaves in the autumn, while a flowering pink bonsai will look best in a softer shade of cream, white, or even green.
Remember the bonsai should be at least as wide as the pot or a bit bigger. Also, it should be about 5/8th's higher than the pot but could even be bigger, maybe even 7/8th's to look it's best. You should also include grass, moss, a figurine, side plants, water and/or rock to add something that is a nice contrast with the bonsai, so it all looks so good together with the container.
Pot Size, Color & Bonsai Size
Bonsai can be created from more than 100 ordinary varieties of trees, vines, and shrubs. The true bonsai art can master the Asian origin in appearance. There are no hard and fast rules in bonsai, only guidelines.
Remember, exposure to other Bonsai people will lead to higher levels of inspiration and motivation. Study what is available, practice a lot, work on minor trees and work on superior trees as well.
Bonsai Art
The first task required of the artist is to determine the preferred viewing angle of the tree. These determinations are subjective in nature and should be based on what the artist feels are most important such as the trunk taper and movement, surface root placement, branch placement, etc. A bonsai needs to look attractive and balanced from all angles, but usually, there is one side of the tree that the artist intends for viewers when displaying it. This position is known as the front and all bonsai must have one.
Determine The Front
Make The Triangle
All bonsai have a triangular shape. Branches on your tree must be longer at the bottom and become gradually smaller as you approach the top of the tree. The triangle is a theme that runs through all bonsai designs. A single tree presents a single triangle. A twin trunk tree presents two triangles which are arranged to create one overall triangle. Cascade bonsai present triangles which are turned upside down. Forest and group plantings are composed of a series of triangular groupings. Which are then arranged to complete an overall larger triangle for the entire composition?
Impressiveness is the focusing or highlighting of a particular characteristic of the design, which has the purpose of creating a focal point of interest. In bonsai, this can be the trunk, with oversized roots, deadwood, or any other unique feature that stands out for one reason or another.
Sometimes when you first see a raw, untrained tree, you’ll notice that it has a focal point which is a unique feature. You may even find that the rest of the tree is really ordinary or not be promising, but this one feature makes the tree worthwhile to work with for bonsai.
With these kinds of impressive aspects, your bonsai will be part of the design work. Remember, your bonsai may turn out to be much better than you thought.
Impressiveness
Empty space in bonsai is very important because emptiness is also a very important part of any bonsai design. It is to create contrast, simplicity, dimension, perspective, balance, and distinction. Intelligent use of empty space in a bonsai will make a very important impact on the depth; it can draw a visual distance between the foreground, middle ground, and background.
One of the best ways to achieve this is to remove some of the branches to create empty spaces, differently on both sides of the bonsai.
Empty Space
This principle is not so obvious and is in fact frequently overlooked by bonsai beginners. When a small twiggy branch appears as the result of restricted growing conditions, I would most likely keep this character. Remember it can always be removed later on (after the bonsai design is nearly completed).
Small Twiggy Growth
Two branches emerging at the same level on opposite sides of the trunk. For instance, cause the viewer’s eye to stop and provide no clear indication for how to continue. Obviously, the viewer does continue, but there is an uncomfortable interruption in what should be a natural path into and around the bonsai design. This creates a righteousness interruption of the bonsai design.
The usually horizontal line formed by bar-branches that bisect the trunk is not a good thing. It suggests a horizon level that is always out of place in a tree. Branches are your structure for inducing flow and rhythm. Bar-branches form a line reference to a screeching halt. There is no reason to let that happen and ruin a really nice bonsai. You must decide which branch should be removed for the best look, for the bonsai overall good design. Visualize the removal of one of the two branches and reverse the situation for the other branch... Although you should trim off the branch that is inside the curve. Do this after the tree is trimmed enough to help you make the decision.
Bar-branches
Disguising Flaws
Often you may not be able to repair these flaws and you are left with an eyesore on what could otherwise be a very nice bonsai. You may, however, be able to overcome these challenges by overturning the problem with an overall look.
Let us say that you have a bonsai with a poor trunk (it is shaped fat in the middle). So you could leave the problem or you could change the branch structure to look as though it was windswept. Along with some Shari within the fat area of the bark to look as though it was a very bad wind storm (to match with the windswept branches). This tree will look like a very nice bonsai, instead of "Ups what a very bad looking trunk".
The above is an example, I am sure you could find an answer to any type of flaw. Simply try to fix the issue at hand.
Branch Errors:
Parallel Branches
When two branches grow parallel on one side, cut one of them off... Sometimes it may help if you wait until you have trimmed the bonsai more so, before removing the branch.
Wheel Branches
These branches usually grow on azaleas and pine trees. They sprout in all directions from one spot on the trunk. Figure out which branch should stay and cut away the other branches.
Upright or Drooping Branches
Most upright branches are separate shoots and they should be cut off as soon as they appear. However, they may be able to be bent to a better direction. The section from the base of the new shoot to the tip of the old branch will weaken and wither.
Downward-growing branches should be pruned off.
Overlapping Branches
Branches that overlap ruin the shape of the tree; one of them has to be cut off, bent, or separated from the other.
Trunk-crossing Branches
Branches that cut straight across the trunk are unsightly and should be removed.
Natural Elements of Bonsai
Trees grow every which way (and violate all manner of bonsai design guidelines), but the overall effect is often quite smooth and engaging. Try this with bonsai and you get anything but a nice engaging plant and/or tree.
The branch structure is important when making a real nice bonsai... Primary or Number One Branch. This is always the lowest, longest and thickest of all the branches of the tree. It occurs about one-third of the way up the trunk and emerges from the trunk or either the right or the left side of the front.
Secondary or Number Two Branch. This branch is placed on the opposite side from the Primary branch and above it. It is slightly shorter and slightly thinner and located in the second third of the tree's total height.
Number Three Branch. This branch is located between the number one and number two branches and in the back of the composition. It is somewhat shorter than the Secondary branch and also located in the second third of the tree's total height.
Branch Structure
Learn How To Bonsai
Classes on the Art of Bonsai, learn fast and easily... By Randy Brooks Click Here!
Learn How To Bonsai
Classes on the Art of Bonsai, learn fast and easily... By Randy Brooks Click Here!
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