Workshop material

[kez]

Following on from my previous post, here are 2 trees I will be taking to a workshop late august with Ryan Neil,

I hope to provide some insight into why I chose the material, what I think will make it suitable for a workshop, and most of all I want to invite discussion on what people think of the reasons I picked it, what they think of the material, what they consider when choosing stock for a workshop, and how they would want to proceed with this material if they were taking it to a workshop

I do not want a pat on the back for my excellent choices because at the moment all these trees are is a collection of features that I believe will give me the opportunity to walk away with trees that have a great future as bonsai. What I want, is to get people thinking about how they chose stock, what is worth looking at, and what is worth walking past.

Here are the 2 trees from a few angles, and some of the features that I think will help in making these great trees

Number one is a black pine, about 30 cm tall

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And the features I think make this a great workshop tree

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Exceptional ramification for the size of the tree

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Great movement, I once heard good movement described as the number of changes of direction and the number of different angles, and I think this is a great example

I have to confess that I am not solely responsible for the choosing of this stock, and I have to give a Huge thanks to Tien of Bonsai Sensation. I phoned Tien and let him know what I was doing and gave him some guidance regarding what I wanted, and he came back to me with photos of multiple trees from multiple angles and we were able to pick this tree out. He then posted it to me from Vic to Canberra. I mentioned in my workshop info post about nursery owners providing assistance, well this is as good as it gets. Thank you so much Tien!

Number 2 is a swamp cypress, also about 30cm tall, from Bonsai world and I believe the initial structure was laid out by Hugh Grant

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And the features (sorry I think these are a bit blurry)

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Great movement along the soil, with the right pot this will make a fantastic feature

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Beautiful trunk line

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More great features at soil level that will help define the trees movement

Both these trees are in what I would call an intermediate level of development, with significant work having already been carried out. They are however in no way set in stone and both provide many options for direction.

I believe the most important elements of these trees are features that will make great bonsai regardless of the styling, they do not limit the options for direction, rather they will enhance the tree regardless of direction. This is critical for workshop material, as the opposite would be features that close down possibilities and only serve to push a tree in a single direction.

It is always about a compromise, and choosing the best possible collection of features along with the smallest number of faults, bu if you can stick with the basic fundamentals of quality, then options should remain many and varied, with the highest possibility of success

I'd love to invite any and all comments and discussions, as well as further submissions for the upcoming workshop from those who are attending

Cheers,

Kerrin

[Matt S]

Great post Kerrin, choosing suitable workshop material is an important skill that's often overlooked. Look forward to seeing the after pics.

[MJL]

I’m envious on a whole range of levels - trees, workshop ... the whole banana. Excellent stock and what a workshop to take those trees too. Enjoy. I look forward to the pics post workshop.

Tien’s a ripper too!


Bonsai teaches me patience.
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[Rare plant Pat]

Good post Kez. I'm going to a workshop as well and as a beginner I asked a few people what I should take. A couple of their answers were clarifying - take more than one tree per session so that if the leader of the workshop doesn't like the tree they have options or as it was also said to me if I don't like where the leader wants to take the tree I have options. More significantly for me was the point to be clear about what you want to learn from the workshop - that has governed my tree choice.

A couple of questions, how long is your workshop, and what do you want to get out of it?

[kez]

Mine will be a full day and I plan to get both these trees finished.

In terms of skills I want to refine my branch placement techniques, most importantly how best to use highly ramified areas to create better layers and a more dynamic image than just a large single pad of foliage

Mostly though I am just looking forward to collaborating with someone of such a high skill level, communicating my ideas, drawing on their experience and ultimately working together to create bonsai. I also love seeing what others bring and what they achieve, and the difference in vibe within the group at the end of the day compared to the start

[pjames]

Great post Kez and I like both of your workshop trees. Im going to the workshop as well on the Friday with Mr. Kobayashi. Im extremely nervous about it, this is my 2nd workshop with international artists. So far, ive got one Japanese Black Pine that i’m bringing and still choosing for a 2nd tree.

[kez]

Post up some pics of the pine, I’d love to see it, as well as any other options you have and if you like everyone can discuss

[Keels]

Great post Kez. Im also attending the workshops with Ryan in August. I've gone down a similar path and got myself a pine but its the second tree im not 100% sure on.
I have a chinese elm that ive grown myself over the last 4 years. 3 years in the ground 1 year in the pot. Just not too sure if it would be worthy to take along.

What does everyone else think?

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[kez]

Thanks for posting up your tree keels,

I think with this one it depends on what you want for the elm. Are you looking for guidance on the future steps for this tree? Or do you hope for a styling/transformation?

If it is the former, then I think this tree would be fine to bring and you will get great advice and a plan to implement over the next few years

If however it’s the later and you are hoping for a tree that looks drastically different when u leave from what it did when you walked in, perhaps this isn’t the tree, unless you are happy for that drastic difference to be a tree with a lot less branches than it started with.

This is why in most cases deciduous material isn’t chosen for workshops, there’s obvious exceptions but species like elms are mostly built from bare bones with clip and grow over a long time

[pjames]

This is my 2nd option but im not sure yet. My main issue with this one is reverse taper in middle of the trunkline.

I will take photo of the first option tomorrow.

[pjames]

This is my first option JBP. It stands 85cm without pot. It has a very thick first branch which needs heavy bending. I have an idea on what to do with the tree but it will be a good workshop material because it will give me an opportunity to learn more techniques. I have two options for a front and back but I prefer one side due to bulk of the base. I’m excited on how this pine will turn into after the workshop.

[kez]

Definitely some great potential there pjames!

[melbrackstone]

I'd take the Chinese Elm, Keels, because after watching and listening to Ryan for a couple of years, I know that he loves a challenge. Most bonsai practitioners would say off with its head at the first branch to compress the style, but he would be likely to find a more feminine and elegant tree in the long trunk. No doubt there'd be some bending to be done as well. It's all going to add to your own knowledge base...

just my humble opinion

[Keels]

I'd take the Chinese Elm, Keels, because after watching and listening to Ryan for a couple of years, I know that he loves a challenge. Most bonsai practitioners would say off with its head at the first branch to compress the style, but he would be likely to find a more feminine and elegant tree in the long trunk. No doubt there'd be some bending to be done as well. It's all going to add to your own knowledge base...

just my humble opinion

Thanks for the reply Melbrackstone. I was chatting to another cbs member this morning and he said the same thing about chopping at the first branch. I'm in Melbourne for a week next week so if i don't find anything else i will bring it along as its definitely a challenge

[melbrackstone]

yeah, to be predictable is expected, lol.

Not only you, but all the other workshop participants will benefit by hearing Ryan's thoughts on that tree, especially if everyone else has pines..I expect you might just bring home something dramatic and interesting, because I can almost guarantee Ryan won't want to chop it at the first branch.

You'll all get plenty of info on pines as Ryan goes around the room, so I recommend you make the most of getting some extra info on Chinese Elms while you can, I reckon.

Mind you, as the second tree, you might not be able to get that, if the first tree is given priority... After seeing how he operated at the convention workshop, I'd offer the CE first, then when you're finished with that, go with your other tree....because as I said, you'll be listening to Ryan talking about everyone else's pines....

once again, just my opinion..