Most of this post originally appeared in our email newsletter, back in the pre-Bonsai Bark days.
Have you thought about drawing what a pre-bonsai or bonsai might look like after it’s styled or restyled? It’s not all the difficult (even if you think you can’t draw) and surprisingly rewarding.
First, take a long look at the material at hand and then imagine what it could look like after you style it. Then sketch from what you have in front of you and from what your imagination has to offer. If your imagination doesn’t have much to offer, you can practice just sketching (in pencil with eraser in hand) the tree as it is and then make small changes. If you do this enough, your imagination will catch up and you will begin to see all kinds of possibilities.
These two drawings are from John Naka’s Sketchbook. Mr. Naka, was widely recognized (even revered) as the Dean of American Bonsai. He traveled and taught tirelessly and probably did more for bonsai in the West than anyone else.
John regularly used drawings as teaching tools and if your were lucky enough to have studied with him and to have received a drawing of what your bonsai could become, then you were lucky indeed.
This drawing was done by Ruben Roig-purely from his imagination at Mistral Bonsai (Tarragona, Spain) in March 2007. In was done on a paper towel over lunch and wine, while the rest of the people at our table discussed bonsai and the US housing crises. Ruben presented it to me as gift when he finished and now I am presenting it to you for your enjoyment.
Ruben’s technique, which springs purely from his minds eye, offers another opportunity to improve our feel for what a bonsai could be. A good practice to try out while you wait for spring.
This drawing as well as the ones at the top of the post come from Deborah Koreshoff’s classic book, Bonsai, It’s Art, Science, History and Philosophy (sadly we are out, with no plans to bring in more; the publishing company in Australia does a thoroughly amaturish job packing and won’t take repsonsibility for the consistently significant damage to the books in transit). Deborah is a true artist (not just bonsai, but across a range of disciplines) and like Ruben, can draw powerful bonsai from her imagination. If you can get your hands on Deborah’s book, by all means do. Back in the days when I owned a bonsai nursery and taught a lot, it was my reference of first choice.
Hello,
I’ve seen that you’ve meet Ruben Roig.
I like very much his draws. I’m always surprise by the quality of his work.
I’m looking for information about him. I found nothing on the web (Picture of him, how old is he, were he lives, his job…)
If you may have anything to share, it will be great.
Many tanks from France
Philippe.
Hello Philippe,
I met Ruben at Mistral Bonsai in Tarragona in 2007. I haven’t seen or heard any thing about him since. He’s a young man. Very pleasant and friendly. He did a drawing for me there over lunch. He’s fast and very good.