Forest Bonsai – A Deeper Understanding

Robert Steven’s simulation of a forest planting that was submitted by Paulo Netto (photo immediately below). Here’s some of what Robert has to say about this simulation: “The irregular placement of the trees creates a better perspective and the impact of the focal point is more obvious. Sufficient empty space makes the scenery much more interesting and natural.” Yesterday’s post, ‘Evening the Bonsai Odds,’ featured forest plantings with some excellent commentary by Robert Steven. So it seems like a good idea to dig out an old forest planting critique by Robert. It originally appeared in February 2014. A good place … Continue reading Forest Bonsai – A Deeper Understanding

Robert Steven Critiques a Black Pine and Offers Some Insights into the Five Schools of Penjing

Robert Steven’s simulation of a Japanese black pine that was submitted by Mike Liu (Mike’s original is below). I’m on a vacation of sorts, so we’ll dip back into our archives. This one is from 2010. I picked it for a couple reasons: first, Robert Steven is one of those bonsai artists that bothers to explain how he gets from point A to point B and why he takes the path he does. The second reason I chose to re-post this one has to do with Penjing and its place in the world of bonsai. Much of what we do … Continue reading Robert Steven Critiques a Black Pine and Offers Some Insights into the Five Schools of Penjing

Two Bonsai Critiques by Robert Steven

Robert Steven’s simulation of a Ficus that was submitted by Yessi Ariesta (see before photo below). It has been a while since we’ve featured a Robert Steven critique and now, out of the blue, we’re blessed with two. The first tree is somewhat dramatic as are Robert’s changes. The second tree is much simpler and that simplicity is carried over with more subtle changes. For years now Robert Steven has been remarkably generous with his free critiques (the word free should be emphasized; what other world renowned bonsai artist and teacher offers something like this?). So why not take advantage … Continue reading Two Bonsai Critiques by Robert Steven

Judging Bonsai: Scoring vs Elimination and putting aside some people’s objections to the whole idea of judging, the results are in…

Whoops. The tree I missed in the original post. Too bad, because I have a feeling it would have placed very high in our reader’s poll (it placed 3rd in Method A and second in Method B – see below for the methods). Two weeks ago we posted photos of seven bonsai and asked our readers to rate them. No contest, no prizes, just for the fun of it. Putting aside some people’s objections to the whole idea of judging bonsai, the results are in. The trees are arranged from top to bottom (starting just below) in order of your … Continue reading Judging Bonsai: Scoring vs Elimination and putting aside some people’s objections to the whole idea of judging, the results are in…

Useful Tips for Those of Us Stuck in Beginner Level Bonsai Skills

Robert’s digital simulation of a Ficus nerifolia that was submitted by Tom Kreugl. Busy traveling so we’ll dig up another post from our vast archival past. This one is from September, 2010. It’s one of numerous Robert Steven critiques that provide simple lessons in bonsai design, with several useful tips. I think it’s particularly good for beginners and those of us who have been stuck with beginner level skills for too long (all of Robert’s critiques are good for beginners and for more advanced enthusiasts too). While we’re talking about Robert Steven, this might a good place to mention … Continue reading Useful Tips for Those of Us Stuck in Beginner Level Bonsai Skills

Stepping Out of Character for Just a Moment

The first thing that caught my eye in this photo is the tree’s overall graceful fluid movement. Next is the swirling gnarl that, for lack of a better word, we’ll call the trunk (see below). This photo and the others shown here are from a recent facebook post by Robert Steven. Robert Steven is, without a doubt, the artist most featured here on Bonsai Bark. You can chalk that up to him being one of the most accomplished and innovative bonsai artists in the world. Prolific too. But there’s more. We don’t usually do lists here nor do we usually … Continue reading Stepping Out of Character for Just a Moment

Out of Thin Air

Robert Steven’s simulation of a tree that was submitted by David Royinsyah (below). Busy now, so once again we’ll borrow from the past (Robert Steven Transforms Raw Stock, March, 2011). It’s one of dozens of Robert Steven’s critiques that we’ve posted over the years and it’s one of my favorites. The transformation is total, almost as if Robert pulled his simulation out of thin air. And the result is so pleasing. Nuff said, here’s the original… Robert’s vision and artistry This one is quite unusual. The stock is totally raw and not that interesting. Robert simply manufactured all the branching … Continue reading Out of Thin Air

Rehashing Raw Stock

Robert Steven’s simulation of a tree that was submitted by David Royinsyah (below). Another broken promise Even though I promised I wouldn’t do any rehashed posts for a while, my day is already full and it just happens to be my birthday, so I’m going to cut myself a little slack. Anyway, what better to rehash than a Robert Steven critique? This one originally appeared almost three years ago. Robert’s vision and artistry This one is quite unusual. The stock is totally raw and not that interesting. Robert simply manufactured all the branching and the foliage from nothing and the … Continue reading Rehashing Raw Stock

Penjing Vs Bonsai

Robert Steven’s simulation of a Japanese black pine that was submitted by Mike Liu (Mike’s original is below). Still out of town and still digging deep into our archives. This one is from almost three years ago (December 2010). It’s original title is: Robert Steven Critiques a Black Pine and Offers Some Insights into the Five Schools of Penjing. It’s one of many brilliant Robert Steven critiques, though, aside from starting with such a well developed tree, what sets it apart is Robert’s discussion of the five schools of Chinese Penjing. As you may know, Robert is a world famous … Continue reading Penjing Vs Bonsai

Which Is Which?

Don’t read this until you have looked at the all the photos first to see if you can tell which are bonsai and which are simulations. After that you can read this caption and the rest of the text. Ravaged by time but still dignified. By Robert Steven and the great outdoors. From facebook. Without reading the captions, can you tell which images are bonsai simulations and which are photos of bonsai? A distinction worth making is between Robert Steven’s actual bonsai and his bonsai simulations that periodically appear on this blog. Simulations that are so realistic that it’s difficult … Continue reading Which Is Which?