Reborn forest...Murraya Sp.

I try to make base on Marcus' picture.



What we see in nature might be interesting and unique, but it doesn't mean beautiful when turn into bonsai as we need to give the artistic touch. So here is my simulation..and I crop the picture frame to show the correspondance to the shallow container to be used for better composition.



(one more page for my ego)...

I liked the original composition and yet I like your two forest compositions even more. They are more classical. Thanks for sharing.

Cosmos

Robert Steven wrote: ... ... (my ego)..
... ... (one more page for my ego)...

Yes, you are right Sir!
Too much talking about egos lately on the IBC

I feel much obliged to you for each and every one piece of advice that you share. Thank you!

Robert Steven wrote:Nice sketch Jun...
I think if the silhouette is formed rather irregular could be better, also avoid the same distance of each tree.. (my ego)..

I have a bigger ego (it's nine pages now)...I have an excuse and I won't admit my mistake hehehe Excuse---It was one of my first drawings of forest just few months since I started bonsai.
,,,,But continue teaching my dear teacher and we will continue listening to you.

...Thanks!

regards,
jun

cosmos wrote:I liked the original composition and yet I like your two forest compositions even more. They are more classical. Thanks for sharing.

Cosmos

Just say it Cosmos! It's too ordinary right? hehehe. But thanks man! I am not satisfied with my work yet. classical (ordinary),.. like they always say here---"not my cup of coffee... ( or tea)."


regards,
jun

i have been busy this week

i made a slab





then i have been planting trees on it ,

the funny bit is i made sure not to look at this thread since i put the picture of the real forest up - this way Roberts and Juns skilled ideas have not been in my mind while i was planting - this let the trees decide the place they liked on the slab (i hope). My bonsai forest has become a forest that i hope invites you in to get lost - it goes back a long long way

just managed a quick picture before it got too dark




there are 31 of the trunks from the original material in the planting
this is just the first day of the beech forest, now the years of pruning ahead will see it develop as i see it in my mind (if i'm lucky)

I think i will make a japanese maple forest like Roberts view of the real one..............thankyou both for the time you took to look for the sketch and do photoshop

Nice work Marcus..we are all getting ceazy...and now I am wondering if I should continue to feed this post as there might be people complaining our egos...

Robert Steven wrote:Nice work Marcus..we are all getting ceazy...and now I am wondering if I should continue to feed this post as there might be people complaining our egos...

thanks Robert - i am really happy with it and cant wait for daylight again tomorrow to add a bit more moss.

I think we should only feed this post for the time it takes our forest groups to mature and grow........ - 100 pages would be within our reach i think

Well done!!!
very nice work Marcus. It is going to be an awesome forest when the branches develops.


regards,
jun






Hi Robert.

I think there is no debate needed with the issue of ego. people are learning here, even those who do not post in this thread. Marcus and I are providing the teaching tools/materials, you are providing the knowledge and insight not just for us (though, we are the lucky guys getting the actual forest being designed with the insight of Robert Steven) but for other readers as well.

...this thread as I can see it is providing actual guidelines for forest/group planting, with different variations in style and is a very healthy thread so far.

So, guys,. . Don't be shy to post your forest here, take the opportunity that Robert is helping out (hang in there Robert, more customers coming hehehe), and I hope others will help out too in the designs.
Forest planting doesn't need to be expensive. But requires knowledge and artistry to make it convincing and one set of materials can be change all of a sudden with striking effect than the previous composition of the same set of materials.


regards,
jun

What I think can be improved :

- Slightly bigger tray to give more space on both sides and front would be perfect.
- Form more irregular shape of the ground edges...more curving line (avoid the neat round shape).
- Form more terracing contour on the land/hill..up and down, with the green moss formation as well.
- Make an overlapping between the left hill and the right one to form a gap, this will create a better perspective illusion/ to draw the right group further to the back.

Then the rest is simply refine the ramification...

Good luck buddy...

Robert Steven wrote:What I think can be improved :

- Slightly bigger tray to give more space on both sides and front would be perfect.
- Form more irregular shape of the ground edges...more curving line (avoid the neat round shape).
- Form more terracing contour on the land/hill..up and down, with the green moss formation as well.
- Make an overlapping between the left hill and the right one to form a gap, this will create a better perspective illusion/ to draw the right group further to the back.

Then the rest is simply refine the ramification...

Good luck buddy...

thankyou so much for the time you are taking with us,

it was funny yesterday - before i started planting the slab felt quite large - after 2 of the main trees went on i knew i needed more slab
i drew the shape of this slab on the work bench so i will work on a new extended version from the original pattern.

the bigger slab will let me create the natural iregular shape that i know looks fantastic on a forest planting too.

totally agree in the new light of day - in particular the right side is a rather too perfect mound - i used differnt types of moss but it needs real contours in the soil as well. In fact a little more work on the right side group will be good as you say - i want the medium trees closer together and all of them further back.

i will work on a new slab next week as i would like the forest settled in its final form long before spring - then it will grow strongly and i can begin the pruning to make nice ramification. the bigger slab will give more room for roots so better growth too.

i cant thank you enough for sharing what you see - cheers Marcus

Update...

I think one of the problem for this group planting was the pot its in...so I tried a new approach, I built a slab, so that I will be able to manipulate the trees positions based on Robert's virt. And when the slab matures, it will get a more natural look.












regards,
jun

Marcus, what material did you use to create that slab? I've read where some have used a 50/50 mix of cement and paper machete. Supposedly lighter and still be molded as desired. I'd like to try making my own and am curious.

I too am learning a lot on this forest planting thread. Thanks Robert, all your suggestions have been great!

Chris

jun wrote:Hi Robert.

I think there is no debate needed with the issue of ego. people are learning here, even those who do not post in this thread. Marcus and I are providing the teaching tools/materials, you are providing the knowledge and insight not just for us (though, we are the lucky guys getting the actual forest being designed with the insight of Robert Steven) but for other readers as well.

...this thread as I can see it is providing actual guidelines for forest/group planting, with different variations in style and is a very healthy thread so far.

So, guys,. . Don't be shy to post your forest here, take the opportunity that Robert is helping out (hang in there Robert, more customers coming hehehe), and I hope others will help out too in the designs.
Forest planting doesn't need to be expensive. But requires knowledge and artistry to make it convincing and one set of materials can be change all of a sudden with striking effect than the previous composition of the same set of materials.


regards,
jun

I'm one of those learning--this has been one of my favorite threads on IBC in that its emphasis--forest plantings--is one I have been drawn to from the start. I'm hoping your sharing and discussion will continue with respect to how to make and refine forest plantings.

I do have a small forest in a shallow pot made up of Portulaccaria Afra that I will try to gather a couple of pictures of to post. It is not nearly on par with what has been posted in this thread but I would love to get any specific thoughts on improving it. I have already learned so much through the critiques of these incredible forests and the virtuals by Robert Steven have made my jaw drop. I'm realizing that while I appreciate bonsai very much and enjoy it....I do not have it like some of you guys/gals do--it being the ability to envision, create, and organize material to magnificent levels. Maybe that will develop to some degree in time but either way, I love seeing your work and appreciate it very much.

Please continue to share your expertise. I'm sure I'm not the only shy 'lurker' learning from the discussion you guys have had to this point.

Thanks Jesse. You can also view my regular critique on www.bonsaibark.com

Happy New Year...

Just an update IBC:

Let the trees grow wild separately. and grew more smaller trees and rethink the design... bonsai really is a very slow process..hehe.
















regards,
jun  

Much better  

Thanks Yvonne.

Summer time is here, more trees to work on.

regards,
jun  

Spectacular piece of work, I don't know what else to say, it defies description.

This is probably the best naturalistic forest in the fairy tale style ever on IBC. Very nice effect and I love it Jun.

Cheers,
Adam

awesome change, jun. this planting gets better and better.

best wishes, sam

A very late thank you for the nice comments.

Update with leaves.




regards,
jun  

Wow that is amazing! Thankyou for sharing Jun and very well done! I hope one day in the distant future I can make something that looks half as good as this. Also, I think the deer is a nice touch

Outstanding final result! Ive learnt a lot from this thread

Very nice post, very informative.