Bonsai and Tree Sketches - May 2018

Forum for discussion of Pines, Junipers, Cedar etc as bonsai.
Post Reply
viniv
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 19
Joined: July 19th, 2017, 8:55 pm
Favorite Species: Ficus
Bonsai Age: 12
Location: Maroochydore
Been thanked: 2 times

Bonsai and Tree Sketches - May 2018

Post by viniv »

Hi all

Here are some sketches from my bonsai sketch book. I use Staedtler triplus fineliner pens (no particular reason) ball point pens are great also, and pacer (graphite pencil) rather than a pencil, as it does not need to be sharpened. I enjoy drawing bonsai and trees in general.

Generally I draw:
- Trees from memory: often I will notice trees out and about, so I want to capture it and understand what I like about it (balance, scale etc.)
- Trees from my imagination: rather than thinking bonsai has to be a certain way, I enjoy creating / pushing the boundary I have in my mind of what a bonsai tree should look like. I enjoy creating new ways of expressing miniature trees. Especially pursuing an Australian bonsai style.
- Bonsai trees from master bonsai practitioners: in order to understand good bonsai design.
- Basic shapes: in order to understand the basic aspects of design being: balance, scale, negative space, asymmetry, focal point, line, and colour (even though my sketches are generally in red and grey :)
- Bonsai trees that I have: in order to develop the design as my trees grow and age.

I will post more sketches again in 1-2 weeks.
I hope you enjoy these sketches and are inspired to draw the trees that you see or want to create.

20180520_134737.jpg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
Theodore
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 268
Joined: November 28th, 2015, 10:12 am
Favorite Species: Larch
Bonsai Age: 24
Bonsai Club: Albury Wodonga Bonsai Society
Location: Wodonga
Has thanked: 3 times
Been thanked: 2 times

Re: Bonsai and Tree Sketches - May 2018

Post by Theodore »

Wow. Really nice work. Amazing how you just look past the red!
User avatar
Thymetraveller
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 297
Joined: November 14th, 2015, 2:43 pm
Favorite Species: Trees!
Bonsai Age: 6
Location: Hornsby NSW
Been thanked: 2 times
Contact:

Re: Bonsai and Tree Sketches - May 2018

Post by Thymetraveller »

Beautiful. Inspiring - I love the bark detail!
User avatar
treeman
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 2836
Joined: August 15th, 2011, 4:47 pm
Favorite Species: any
Bonsai Age: 25
Location: melbourne
Has thanked: 28 times
Been thanked: 571 times

Re: Bonsai and Tree Sketches - May 2018

Post by treeman »

Very good! Once you get a good grasp of technique - if you haven't already, you will create outstanding bonsai!.....If you see it, you can do it...
Mike
boom64
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 1105
Joined: November 11th, 2009, 9:03 pm
Favorite Species: Almond
Bonsai Age: 2
Location: South Coast NSW
Has thanked: 274 times
Been thanked: 394 times

Re: Bonsai and Tree Sketches - May 2018

Post by boom64 »

Lovely pictures ,what a great asset for bonsai...Thanks for sharing , John.
User avatar
Tambrand
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 121
Joined: September 24th, 2010, 10:25 pm
Favorite Species: Tamarind
Bonsai Age: 37
Bonsai Club: Lives in the West Indies
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 1 time
Contact:

Re: Bonsai and Tree Sketches - May 2018

Post by Tambrand »

As a thank you Viniv,

pine tree design I hope to get one day.
Laters.
Tambrand
the future.jpg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
"We grow our Bonsai for Beauty, not for produce or lumber."
User avatar
Boics
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 2189
Joined: September 27th, 2012, 6:16 pm
Favorite Species: Banksia, Syzygium, Cotoneaster. Leptospermum
Bonsai Age: 7
Location: Victoria Inner City Fringe
Has thanked: 28 times
Been thanked: 16 times

Re: Bonsai and Tree Sketches - May 2018

Post by Boics »

Very cool!
Look forward to seeing more of this!
One of the fabulous things about growing bonsai is as you get old and decrepit your trees get old and beautiful
User avatar
The Munt
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 122
Joined: February 20th, 2018, 5:30 pm
Favorite Species: Juniperus Procumbens
Bonsai Age: 1
Bonsai Club: BSOQ
Location: Brisbane

Re: Bonsai and Tree Sketches - May 2018

Post by The Munt »

Great work, that bark shading must have taken some time. :cool:

I particularly like the second last photo of the bent back over pine. Really cool design work.
It’s all about the new experience!
viniv
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 19
Joined: July 19th, 2017, 8:55 pm
Favorite Species: Ficus
Bonsai Age: 12
Location: Maroochydore
Been thanked: 2 times

Re: Bonsai and Tree Sketches - May 2018

Post by viniv »

Theodore wrote:Wow. Really nice work. Amazing how you just look past the red!
:tu: Thank you very much for your comments. Haha I guess I never saw it that way. I think drawing with red on brown paper produces a different aesthetic for drawing bonsai. :)
viniv
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 19
Joined: July 19th, 2017, 8:55 pm
Favorite Species: Ficus
Bonsai Age: 12
Location: Maroochydore
Been thanked: 2 times

Re: Bonsai and Tree Sketches - May 2018

Post by viniv »

Thymetraveller wrote:Beautiful. Inspiring - I love the bark detail!
Thank you Thymetraveller! I have been drawing since I was a kid. I developed an interest in bonsai when I was 21, now 31. Lately I have been thinking of selling all of my bonsai, as I have kind of lost interest in them. But, I will hold onto them and continue to draw bonsai also. Thank you for your feedback, it really helps! :tu:
viniv
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 19
Joined: July 19th, 2017, 8:55 pm
Favorite Species: Ficus
Bonsai Age: 12
Location: Maroochydore
Been thanked: 2 times

Re: Bonsai and Tree Sketches - May 2018

Post by viniv »

treeman wrote:Very good! Once you get a good grasp of technique - if you haven't already, you will create outstanding bonsai!.....If you see it, you can do it...
Thanks treeman! I intend to post some photos of my bonsai also. As I mentioned to Thymetraveller, I was going to sell my trees, but I have reconsidered, and will hold onto them. Especially as spring is around the corner!!! 8-)
viniv
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 19
Joined: July 19th, 2017, 8:55 pm
Favorite Species: Ficus
Bonsai Age: 12
Location: Maroochydore
Been thanked: 2 times

Re: Bonsai and Tree Sketches - May 2018

Post by viniv »

boom64 wrote:Lovely pictures ,what a great asset for bonsai...Thanks for sharing , John.
Thanks boom64 (John)!! I appreciate your comments :tu:
viniv
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 19
Joined: July 19th, 2017, 8:55 pm
Favorite Species: Ficus
Bonsai Age: 12
Location: Maroochydore
Been thanked: 2 times

Re: Bonsai and Tree Sketches - May 2018

Post by viniv »

Tambrand wrote:As a thank you Viniv,

pine tree design I hope to get one day.
Laters.
Tambrand
the future.jpg

Hi Tambrand! haha thanks for posting your sketch of the pine! It looks great!! You will have this tree one day :yes:
viniv
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 19
Joined: July 19th, 2017, 8:55 pm
Favorite Species: Ficus
Bonsai Age: 12
Location: Maroochydore
Been thanked: 2 times

Re: Bonsai and Tree Sketches - May 2018

Post by viniv »

Boics wrote:Very cool!
Look forward to seeing more of this!
Thanks Boics! I think i originally said 1 - 2 weeks I will post again :palm: Now that it is JULY, (oops) I will rustle together the next post lol
Thanks for your support mate.
viniv
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 19
Joined: July 19th, 2017, 8:55 pm
Favorite Species: Ficus
Bonsai Age: 12
Location: Maroochydore
Been thanked: 2 times

Re: Bonsai and Tree Sketches - May 2018

Post by viniv »

The Munt wrote:Great work, that bark shading must have taken some time. :cool:

I particularly like the second last photo of the bent back over pine. Really cool design work.
Thank you The Munt!! Once I get a feel for how to bark will look, it becomes a meditative process of finding the tree on the page :)
Post Reply

Return to “Pines and Junipers”