Ledanta Virtual Comp - May 2009

[Leigh Taafe]

Here is the first virtual design competition. The winning virt will have first selection from the prize cupboard, and will go into the Grand Final for the prize of two great bonsai videos.

This is a very old cedar (maybe 40+ years). This tree I have recently acquired from a friend who has been into bonsai for a very long time. He has been a little ill and hasnt been able to keep his bonsai at their best. It is now time for me to think about making this tree into something special. Hopefully your virts will give me some great ideas.

The dimensions are:

Foliage spread Left to Right is 1000mm
Foliage spread Front to Back is 640mm
Circumference of trunk at base is 400mm
Height including pot is 800mm

Here are the 4 pics:

Cedar1.jpg

Cedar2.jpg

Cedar3.jpg

Cedar4.jpg

Good luck!

Cheers,
Leigh.

[kcpoole]

Hi Leigh

Waht a great idea
This has given me the impetus to actually use and lear The GIMP so thanks

My Virtual of your tree based on Pick #1.

Like the view of the lower trunk the best, but dislike the Straight section above this. From there the foliage just keeps going on and on ..... to a lrge undefined mass up on top

I have made abend in the straight section Which has brought up the RH branch as a new apex. The Former top has been Lowered and reduced to make the left branch

All foliage is then pinched and maintained to produce some Distinct foliage pads with well defined Negative spaces

Hope you like it as I think it is a realistic possibility ion only a short time to achieve

Ken

[kcpoole]

Just Looking at my post again after a few hours. Just realized the Pot I picked is far too Deep

Imagine one about 1/2 the depth.

ps 12 views so far and no replies! What is everyone scared of?, or maybe even horrified of my pitiful attempt? posting.php?mode=reply&f=114&t=1318#"

Ken

[Elias]

Hi Ken,
That's a nice virt, the only thing I keep thinking when I look at it is that there is no branching to the back which might make the compositiong look a bit 2D, just a thought. But I think the concept works.

[PeterH]

Hi,

I am not the best at using photo shop but here is my attempt.

Peter

[kcpoole]

Hey that is nice peter
Good Effort.

If nothing else is achieved by this topic, we will all learn to use our chosen software better

[FlyBri]

Gday Leigh & Co!

Nice idea you have here! I might even have a go at it myself...

One thing I would ask though: is it possible to upload larger photos of the tree in question? I'd like to see photos at least 800x600 pixels, if not larger. (If you need help, I would gladly resize the originals for you.) Also, the second photo is not as clear as it could be - any chance of re-shooting that angle?

I look forward to seeing what our members come up with...

Thanks!

Fly.

[stymie]

I'm not competing but on looking at the tree, I saw two. I'll attach the ideas. Its a very easy option which involves no drastic bending but does involve an air-layer to separate the two. A slab would look nice to hold the bottom half.

Cedar1.jpg

Cedar 2.jpg

Cedar 3.jpg

[Jow]

I have the day off today and its raining so i figured id give it a shot... I used an online editor as there wasnt one on tis computer so the result is a little poor virtual wise but you get the picture... i chose Cedar3 as the staring front.

Cedar13.jpg

[Leigh Taafe]

Hi everyone,

Some great ideas and virts coming in. Keep the entires coming. This months competition will close midnight EST 31st May.

Cheers,
Leigh.

[Steven]

Some really great virts guy's, well done! It's interesting to see the different styles of each artist coming out in the virst as they do in your trees.

I really believe that these virtual design competitions will be an excellent learning process for everyone. Not just those participating, but for everyone viewing the threads and seeing the many possibilities from one tree. No one design is 'right' or 'wrong'. They all have merit and really, it comes down to the personal preference of the bonsai's custodian.

As far as the competition goes... It's not necessarily the best or most realistic virt that will win. It's more about design and explaining your vision than the person with the best PhotoShop skills. So don't be scared to have a go! You never know, you may just win a great prize

Regards,
Steven

[Asus101]

I decided to give it ago, although that paint program is kinda lacking in a few area's.

I dont really like my triangle tops, it makes things look too young. I chose to round out the crown and allowed it to fill in a lot more.

I was unable to convey the bottom pad properly, but again I feel it needs to still poke out the left side of the trunk, but also be pulled down so the branches are not sticking straight up like they are... bring them down closer to the branch. From there allow it to fill in more so its a little more full. I think that branch is just a little too low, although it may be possible to compress the top sections to fill that gap between bottom branch and the rest of the tree.

Im not 100 percent of that jin I added, it can always be removed later.

[anttal63]

i found the photo size hard to work with in paint. for this forum it would be good to have larger photos .
if this were my tree i would try anything to get some movement in the top 2/3. carving, drilling out heart wood, what ever it takes. if that cant be achieved i would rather see it as a semi cascade as stymies virt.

[DavidN]

Here is my attempt.

I liked image 1 to work with. I tilted the tree about 5deg CW.

The foliage has become quite sparse and heavy rewiring will be required to bring the foliage a lot closer into the trunk and branches.

The lack of left hand side branches was a huge problem and the straight part of the trunk in the middle section is quite uninteresting and doesn't flow with the great base of the tree.

The left hand jin serves no purpose in my opinion and so it was removed.

The first right hand branch is dominant but lacks a balancing force on the left hand side makes the whole tree look unstable. I removed the first branch and turned it into a small jin.

I rewired the right side branch down and closer to the trunk to try and hide the straight part of the trunk.

I wired down the left hand side branch also down.

Wired the apex branches down and removed unneccesary foliage.

I believe the old image of the tree is unbalanced and lack symmetry. The new style gives the tree a more feminine and elegant style and exposes the now graceful movement of the trunk. The foliage will need to be more compact and a huge amount of wiring will be required as well as raffia and bending equipment. Not sure of the pot as I wanted to add elegance to the tree but with the trunk size being quite large I still wanted somethin strong.

David N

[Leigh Taafe]

Here is a BUMP! to keep things going.

We have some great entries so far in the Virt Comp. Plenty of members who havent had a crack.

Just give it a go, it doesnt cost anything. Get creative.

Cheers,
Leigh.