In the creation of Lingnan bonsai, local materials are mostly used, and subtropical and tropical evergreen broad-leaved trees are selected. Generally speaking, there are more than 30 kinds of stumps called "Shuzaitou" in Guangzhou, such as Murraya murraya (orange), Ficus, Fujian tea, Pinus tabulaeformis, Cypress, Elm, Mantianxing, Boxwood, Podocarpus, Rhododendron, Pineapple and Mountain. The composition forms of Lingnan bonsai are single-stem big tree type, or double-stem type, cliff type, Shui Ying type, multi-stem type at one end, attached stone type and combined type. In addition to the stump bonsai, there are also stone mountain bonsai. The materials of Shishan bonsai are Shi Ying, calcite, coral stone, sand stone and so on. Among them, Shi Ying is a special product of Guangdong Yingde, which is wrinkled, thin and transparent, so it is often selected as the production of Shishan bonsai. In recent years, Guangzhou bonsai artists have developed magnificent tree shapes, tall and straight shapes, jade-like beads and wild natural shapes.
Regarding the production, display and appreciation of Lingnan bonsai, there is a saying that "one scene, two pots and three stands", that is, besides scenery, the choice of pots and several stands is also very important. The painted pottery pots in Shiwan are mostly used in Lingnan bonsai, including disc pots, square pots, polygonal pots, oval pots, rectangular enterprises and tall pots. , pay attention to water absorption and breathability, harmonious color, moderate size, simple and generous. Several of them are floor-standing and case-style, using relatively precious wood such as mahogany, which set each other off in harmony.
Artistic characteristics of Lingnan bonsai
First, majestic and vigorous, simple and natural, is the distinctive feature of Lingnan bonsai. A successful bonsai, from scratch? The branches are evenly distributed, with charm and strength. Cut a branch at random (some are slightly trimmed) to meet the modeling standard of independent bonsai. Even after the whole stump is stripped of brocade (that is, leaves are removed), it still maintains the beautiful and natural style of the tree, and it can show the vitality of the trunk of the potted tree and the smooth and natural branches, which is the unique style of Lingnan bonsai.
Secondly, cutting and storing branches is the main artistic technique to create Lingnan bonsai. The so-called stem-cutting and branch-saving means cutting off the trunk of the planted potted tree, and when it grows slightly thinner than the trunk, leaving it more than one inch long (leaving no less than two buds) and cutting off the excess; When the remaining branches grow again and are slightly thinner than the horizontal branches, leave more than one inch, cut off the remaining branches, and so on. This pruning technique of pruning branches is like a clear brush stroke of painting, and the composition and layout are like drawing branches, one by one, occupying the branches, and finally pruning the branches into "antlers" or "chicken feet". This kind of pruning is impatient, especially requires patience and perseverance, because it takes one or two years to prune an inch of branches, while it takes ten or twenty years or even longer to prune a colorful and vibrant boutique bonsai. As the saying goes, "an inch of branches is several years old, and a scene is beautiful in ten years."
Thirdly, the artistic modeling of subsection cultivation is the main cultivation method of Lingnan bonsai. The main material of stump bonsai is trees. In order to cultivate a short and artistic deformed ancient tree, it is impossible for the tree to grow naturally, and it is impossible for the roots, stems, branches and tips of the stump to achieve the expected artistic modeling at one time during the cultivation process, and this artistic modeling effect can only be achieved through subsection cultivation. The so-called staged cultivation is to divide the vegetative growth process of the stump into two stages: the promotion stage and the inhibition stage, that is, artistic shaping in stages. In the process of subsection cultivation, according to the shape and design requirements of potted tree embryos, time periods are divided, fertilization and watering are reasonably controlled, and branches are cut and stored, so as to complete the cultivation of backbone branches. A potted tree stump bonsai needs to be cultivated in multiple stages, so that the roots, stems, branches and buds can be cultivated step by step to meet the artistic requirements.
Lingnan bonsai style
Originating from nature is better than nature-one of the styles of Lingnan bonsai.
The creative idea of Lingnan bonsai is to advocate nature and take the natural tree shape (first of all, the century-old litchi tree) as the teacher to achieve the modeling. Therefore, when you watch Lingnan bonsai, you will feel that whether it is the rugged tree shape of Gu Zhuo or the picturesque tree, it will give people a natural and quaint impression. When you linger in a pot of Lingnan bonsai, you will first feel that it is an ancient tree growing in nature, and it is a pair of magical hands that shrink it in the pot. However, if you look closely, you will find that its branches are so ingenious, natural, even and reasonable, without any affectation. Through this perfect overall shape, people get a kind of intoxication and enjoyment of the beauty of nature. Its beauty is subtle and natural, and all traces of the artist's processing and carving are deeply hidden in the whole tree.
The creative style of Lingnan bonsai is not limited by any programs, but only requires the audience to have a pleasant feeling of returning to nature after reading the works. In fact, the work is required not only to have the shape of a natural tree, but also to infiltrate poetry and painting in the overall layout (including the size, color and shape of the basin and the location of planting landscape trees in the basin, which can form a whole painting). Lingnan bonsai is also an art of thinking in images, with various shapes. So far, it has been recognized as cliff, Shui Ying, enterprise tree, kapok, oblique tree, double trunk, natural tree, and so on. These types are mainly based on the characteristics of natural pile heads dug from Shan Ye.
According to the characteristics of natural pile head, shape the style of the work. If the pile head and trunk are uneven and intertwined, they will be shaped into a big tree or an old banyan tree; The head root is smooth and the trunk is inclined, so it is shaped into a drifting tree; The trunk is tall and straight, shaped like a kapok tree. The finished works conform to nature, so that each form has its own personality and characteristics, both natural beauty and artistic beauty, and achieves the creative purpose of "originating from nature and higher than nature".
Both form and spirit convey feelings-the second style of Lingnan bonsai.
The works of Lingnan bonsai not only have the beauty of shape, but also each shape has its own characteristics, unique expression and artistic conception. For example, the shape of the old banyan tree makes it intertwined, the trunk is old and rugged, the branches rotate and spread, and the branches are flourishing and swaying. This form reminds people of the long years and the easy aging of life. The tree shape of red cotton shows the vitality of branches, which is majestic and tall, permeating the sky, giving people a feeling of complacency. The inclined tree is light and natural, elegant and smart, which makes you refined and extraordinary, and washes away all troubles. Double-trunk trees, trees facing each other, branches chasing each other, expressing their opinions, and the love and affection in the world are fully revealed. The tree shape of the cliff is steep and steep, hanging its roots and showing its claws, adhering to the unyielding shape of the cliff, inspiring people to fight against the wind and rain and would rather die than surrender.
The trunk stands upright in the wind, but the shape of the branches flutters with the wind, and there seems to be a rustling wind after watching it. These, the audience can feel the theme created by the author and the emotion tried to express through the bonsai entity. This is the characteristic of Lingnan bonsai with both form and spirit.
Some works are handled well and can be heard artistically with the audience without asking questions. A question is worth ten times. There are also some works that have their leaves removed when they are on display, but the branches are winding and vigorous, just like the old trees that resist the wind and frost in the cold winter, so that the audience can appreciate the beauty of the branches. After a few days, the buds sprouted, and then the branches turned green. Winter goes and spring comes, all love. In a few days, here will be lush green leaves, full of vitality and a southern scenery. Within a month, there can be different scenery in spring, summer, autumn and winter. These artistic effects are not only closer to nature in appearance, but also closer to nature in connotation and phonology, reaching a superb artistic realm.
Unique Techniques of Cutting Branches and Preserving Branches —— The Third of Lingnan Bonsai
Lingnan bonsai has a unique style because it adopts a unique creative technique-cutting branches and storing branches. But other schools are different, such as Sichuan bonsai, which is famous for its colorful traditional winding skills. Their interrogation techniques have certain rules and various names. From small trunks and lateral branches, brown silk is bent into various angles and directions according to different formats, resulting in a three-dimensional spatial composition, which is very difficult and rich in modeling.
The traditional craft of Yangzhou bonsai is also based on rolling, and the stump has been processed and shaped since childhood. According to the painting principle that the tree is not straight, the branches are bent into a snake shape with brown silk, so that the branches and leaves are tied into a very fine "cloud", and a basin of clear water is greatly placed on the "cloud" without any outward inclination. It can be seen that its flat-edged deep skill is amazing. The traditional crafts of Suzhou bonsai are cutting and tying. Form thick and thin scissors. Most trees are collected from Shan Ye. After these ancient stumps are dug, the old branches are cut off and let them sprout again. Then, select new branches, leave them in proper positions, and tie them into horizontally extending curved bends with brown silk to make them grow into hemispherical leaves.
The traditional craft of Shanghai bonsai is to bend the trunk or branches with metal wires, and then carefully trim them year by year. After modeling, the metal wire is untied, that is, the branches can bend and stretch freely, the lines are bright and smooth, and the appearance is natural and vigorous. ? Different creative methods have different artistic styles, and the artistic styles of major schools in China have their own strengths. Pansystems pay attention to the rigor of its modeling format. Mainly scissors, supplemented by tying, paying attention to beauty, pursuing natural interest, not disturbing people, and the works are vigorous, smart and unrestrained. The method of "cutting and storing branches" used in Lingnan bonsai is to transform the natural pile head shape into scissors because of the tree shape, so that the works are full of artistic personality. The branches are carefully cultivated and beautifully shaped, achieving the effect of both form and spirit. Lingnan bonsai adopts the method of cutting off branches and storing branches, which requires healthy and long-lived natural gas.
Only in this way can plants grow rapidly and tree species with strong germination can be used as materials to meet the needs of modeling creation. These climate and plant resources, the area where Lingnan bonsai is located is unique and belongs to * * *.
Drawing lessons from painting theory and going deep into nature-the fourth style of Lingnan bonsai
Lingnan bonsai can win the reputation of "three-dimensional painting, silent poetry" because its artistic style has the techniques of inheriting painting theory and going deep into nature. The so-called theory of learning from foreigners was also founded by Su Ren, the originator of his school, whose painting trees were based on ancient paintings in Ming and Qing Dynasties.
Kong Taichu, who is good at shrinking trees, is also a master of studying ancient paintings. He often paints bonsai as a creative guide, and his bonsai is often exhibited in bonsai exhibitions.
The creative thinking and techniques of Lingnan bonsai are to enrich the "charm" of the works by using the relevant techniques of Chinese painting, such as conceiving composition, gathering and dispersing, contending and letting go, paying attention to looking around and echoing, and paying attention to the fluency and momentum of trunk branches. But the expression of Chinese painting relies on pen and ink, not plane painting. The expression of bonsai is to form a picture with living trunks and branches, which occupies three-dimensional space and is relatively complicated. After absorbing the theory of traditional Chinese painting, it has produced new effects through in-depth creation.
For example, the branch modeling of Lingnan bonsai, on the one hand, has the smooth technique of Chinese painting, on the other hand, it adopts the way of "cutting off the branches and saving the branches" to reduce the branches section by section, and the connection angle of each section presents a clear rhythm and cadence. Such branches not only have the brushwork of traditional Chinese painting, but also have the characteristics of bonsai, which is ancient and smooth, and also achieves the effect of "seeing the big from the small".