Bonsai and that Pesky Scalene Triangle

RonMartin(deceased)

Editor's Note: The following article on bonsai design written by Ron Martin of Tokonoma Bonsai has been recently expanded with illustrations from Carl Rosner. You can link directly to the article here:

Bonsai and that Pesky Scalene Triangle
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Quite a while back I posted the following article. The response to it wasn't all that bad. Actually for my stuff it was pretty good ;o)

Anyway I was rereading it a few days ago and decided that it left a lot of questions unanswered. It explained the "scalene triangle" but not how to use it. I have decided to expand on this article and make it a bit more complete. With all the talk about "bonsai by the numbers" going around lately I thought I would repost the original and see what holes everyone can find it it. Sort of a lazy man's way of doing research ;o)

I have some notes on things to add. A few people have seen those notes. So far no one has laughed at the changes. To my face anyway. When I get it all done I will share it with everyone here. Get a peer review of sorts. (something that doesn't happen too often on the Internet)

So any suggestions as to what needs to be added to any part of the article?

Bonsai and that Pesky Scalene Triangle

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John Dixon

Ron "Scalene" Martin,

Wow Ron, this triangle stuff really gets you going!!! No, I haven't forgotten the lesson on the table in Garfield's with the crayola. Interesting stuff, and it does certainly show its worth in bonsai styling.

A triangle, or more correctly, multiple triangles with "soft" edges, really do seem present in most bonsai that I feel are great specimens. Like most everything else, there are exceptions, but a very important shape to consider in bonsai styling.

I hope you are doing well,

John

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John Dixon

Si vis pacem parabellum

Stay off the trails of others, that's where the booby-traps are.

RonMartin(deceased)

John Dixon

You did?!!!! Wow, all that talk about triangles must have stunned me!!!

Ron, very good points buddy. It's always nice to talk with someone who cares about what they are teaching. That's how you are.

John

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John Dixon

Si vis pacem parabellum

Stay off the trails of others, that's where the booby-traps are.

bwaynef

I don't know if I'd call this a "call to correct" or not, but one of your points above got me thinking. You state that a triangle has a wide base. That isn't necessarily the case. Not something I'd really press to change in your article, but, noting that, have you ever seen a bonsai that has its narrowest edge of the scalene along the bottom? One that works at least? I'm about to go looking for one/any and see how it works.

A narrow-based triangle would imply a tall tree, seen in the distance. I'm most likely to find it as a formal upright, but we'll see.

Comments?

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© 2004 - present bwaynef

Will_Heath

I would not call any attempt to define any aspect of bonsai as "crap."

This is a excellent sequel to the first triangle article you wrote. It covers the subject quite well, although I would like to see more three dimensional reference. I know that describing a three dimensional concept in a two dimensional medium is difficult.

Thanks teach,

Will

Smoke

Very nice article Ron. I would make some changes to only one sentance.

This one; "The answer to the first part of the question is perspective . Or better yet trickery. This has nothing to do with art, just setting the stage."

I feel perspective has everything to do with art.

And finally, after reading all this good stuff about relating artistic ideals to bonsai, I feel very confused about you... maybe an epiphany! Either way I love it, keep up the good work!

~Smoke~

RonMartin(deceased)

Adam_MA

Hmmmm I will throw a BS flag on this statement! I have seen your trees, actually I even own a couple of them and if what you do to your trees isn't artistic, I don't know what is!

Adam