Bonsai design principles book suggestions?

Gori

Sapling
Messages
32
Reaction score
4
Location
Baltimore, MD
USDA Zone
7a
Hi everybody

I have had/seen a few bonsai books and primary topics they cover typically are: the history, purchasing, care, styles, techniques, displaying, diseases, suitable trees etc. It happened so that no books I've seen so far, cover the topic of, I would call it, bonsai design principles. By this term in this case I primarily mean the tree structure and the main "classic" proportions/ratios of each style (where applicable). I have seen some pieces of such information in different sources. For example, bonsaiempire site style page may provide some very basic information I am looking for, like for Formal upright: trunk thickness, the height at which branching begins, the tree top structure. I recall some other guidelines like having the first two biggest branches on sides and the third one should point to the back. Another one is a schema showing how the tip of the trunk, one top end of the pot and the opposite lowest end of the trunk should form a triangle. But so far I did not see a good book or other resource that would be more detailed in this area.

One book mentioned multiple times on this forum is Principles of Bonsai Design by David De Groot -- would that book have the information I am looking for? Any other resources can be suggested?

Any help will be very much appreciated.

Serge
 

River's Edge

Masterpiece
Messages
4,708
Reaction score
12,608
Location
Vancouver Island, British Columbia
USDA Zone
8b
Hi everybody

I have had/seen a few bonsai books and primary topics they cover typically are: the history, purchasing, care, styles, techniques, displaying, diseases, suitable trees etc. It happened so that no books I've seen so far, cover the topic of, I would call it, bonsai design principles. By this term in this case I primarily mean the tree structure and the main "classic" proportions/ratios of each style (where applicable). I have seen some pieces of such information in different sources. For example, bonsaiempire site style page may provide some very basic information I am looking for, like for Formal upright: trunk thickness, the height at which branching begins, the tree top structure. I recall some other guidelines like having the first two biggest branches on sides and the third one should point to the back. Another one is a schema showing how the tip of the trunk, one top end of the pot and the opposite lowest end of the trunk should form a triangle. But so far I did not see a good book or other resource that would be more detailed in this area.

One book mentioned multiple times on this forum is Principles of Bonsai Design by David De Groot -- would that book have the information I am looking for? Any other resources can be suggested?

Any help will be very much appreciated.

Serge
Yes along with Bonsai Aesthetics by Francois Jeker. John Naka 1 and 2.
 

MrWunderful

Omono
Messages
1,457
Reaction score
1,952
Location
SF Bay area
USDA Zone
10b
David DeGroot’s book is the best “modern” book on design in my opinion.

It goes in-depth into why perspective/distance/proportion etc. make a difference in design for bonsai, as well as ratios etc.

Worth every penny!
 

penumbra

Imperial Masterpiece
Messages
9,380
Reaction score
15,845
Location
Front Royal, VA
USDA Zone
6
And you can get it for $35 with free delivery from Stone Lantern.
 

sorce

Nonsense Rascal
Messages
32,908
Reaction score
45,579
Location
Berwyn, Il
USDA Zone
6.2
Welcome to Crazy!

I don't think a book can help.

Question is.....

Which comes first?

Structure or design?

Do you sacrifice design for structure, or structure for design?

Sorce
 

Mayank

Chumono
Messages
900
Reaction score
1,592
Location
SE Michigan
Yes along with Bonsai Aesthetics by Francois Jeker. John Naka 1 and 2.
I second the John Naka books. That's what myself and my son started with when we started with our sensei Vance Hanna 12-13 years ago...
@Traken thanks for the tip. Will buy the DeGroot book today myself!
 

Gori

Sapling
Messages
32
Reaction score
4
Location
Baltimore, MD
USDA Zone
7a
Thanks everybody. Those Stone Lantern deals look pretty attractive.
 
Last edited:

Gori

Sapling
Messages
32
Reaction score
4
Location
Baltimore, MD
USDA Zone
7a

Matt H.

Yamadori
Messages
57
Reaction score
43
Location
Fort Lauderdale, FL
USDA Zone
10b
[QUOTE="sorce, post: 676781, member:

Question is.....

Which comes first?

Structure or design?

Do you sacrifice design for structure, or structure for design?

Sorce
[/QUOTE]

Ah, form versus function. The trick is to have both. The chicken and the egg...
 
Top Bottom