Detailed explanation of rockery bonsai making methods, teaching you step by step how to do it

The shapes of rock-and-stone bonsai can be roughly divided into five types: independent style, weighted-to-one-side style, opening-and-closing style, scattered style, and overlapping style. Bonsai making can be divided into the following steps:

(1) Choosing a pot

Bonsai places great emphasis on the enhancement provided by the pot and stand. Pots generally include purple clay pots, porcelain dishes, marble trays, stalactite "cloud trays", terrazzo trays, and so on. The shallow trays commonly used for rock-and-stone bonsai are mostly rectangular or oval, with four feet at the bottom, and the rim protruding outward with many facets to enhance the decorative effect; white or light blue can display the water surface. At present, white hard plastic shallow trays and white cement terrazzo trays are sold on the market at low prices and can also be used. As for the stands for displaying the pots, local materials can be used to create stands rich in local characteristics.

(2) Layout within the pot

Rock-and-stone bonsai is a highly generalized processed artwork, and it must be carefully combined, thoroughly considered, and reasonably laid out. Therefore, when combining and shaping it, several principles should be followed. 1. Originate from nature and create an artistic conception. 2. Distinguish primary from secondary, with the parts echoing one another. 3. Have clear layers, with contrast and enhancement. 4. Suit emptiness and solidity to each other, appearing partly hidden and partly visible. 5. Be rich in variation while unified and harmonious.

(3) Processing the stone material

1. Sawing and cutting: According to the already drawn design, determine the position and size of the main body. Then use a small saw to slowly cut the bottom flat. Next, choose the side with clear texture and many cavities as the front, and process it according to the intended effect. Soft stone can be cut with a hacksaw, while hard stone needs to be cut with an electric diamond-coated saw blade. 2. Carving: Carving must first focus on the overall picture, using tools such as hammers and chisels to carve out the general outline of the mountain peak, then carry out fine processing. Remember: when processing, try as much as possible to preserve the natural beauty of the absorbent stone. 3. Gluing: Gluing can play a role in perfecting the work. Its key points: the stone quality, texture, color, and momentum of several pieces of stone material should all be similar. In order not to affect the water absorption of the stone peaks, they should be stacked and joined horizontally, not spliced vertically.

(4) Adding miniature landscape ornaments

Adding miniature landscape ornaments is to achieve the artistic effect of many stars surrounding the moon. Its methods include: 1. The method for adding moss is: scrape off the green moss growing on the outer walls of flower pots in a shade shed or greenhouse with a knife, gently rub it into pieces, then use a brush to dip the crushed moss and plant it in the cracks and holes of the mountain peaks, then place it in a shaded place and spray water frequently; the green moss will soon cover the stone peaks. 2. The method for planting trees is: following the requirement of "a zhang for mountains, a chi for trees", choose suitable tree species and plant them according to the growth laws of nature. In the cracks between stones, it is suitable to plant tree species with exposed roots, curved trunks, and exquisite tree forms, as well as plants with fine branches, small leaves, and shallow roots. For large bonsai, small Japanese white pines, Buddhist pines, and crown-of-thorns can be planted. For small and medium bonsai, some fine-leaved evergreen herbaceous plants from the Crassulaceae family are often used to replace trees. 3. The method for placing ornaments is: follow the shape and adapt to the situation, go with nature, skillfully combine with the terrain, whether beside a mountain, by water, near a cave, or in midair, and coordinate with the natural scenery in the bonsai to express the artistic conception of the landscape. Reference may be made to the positions of landscape architecture and facilities discussed in Chinese painting theory for placement. Note: for the size of the ornaments, the perspective principle of near large and far small, low large and high small should be grasped. As for the quantity, it should be determined according to the specific circumstances such as the theme, artistic conception, and scale of the bonsai.