Become an Expert in the Art of Flower Arrangement
by Julia Clements
http://www.floristevent.com
If you would like to know how to understand, dissect or
analyze an artistic composition of flowers like an expert,
you'll need to learn some of the terms used as principles in
the art of flower arrangement.
Design- This is the structural pattern of the arrangement;
it decides the shape, height or width and consists of a
planned relationship between the flowers, leaves, container
and location of the room. Any design can be produced to suit
any occasion, but some of the most accepted designs used are
those variations of the triangle, rectangle, oval, circle,
vertical irregular triangle, crescent and low half circle.
Balance- This is the grouping of plant materials within the
design, so placed to give a feeling of stability. There can
be two types of balance, symmetric and asymmetric. In the
former, if you draw an imaginary line down through the
center of the vase, both sides of the flower arrangement
appear equal, and usually made with similar material,
whereas in the latter the two sides can be distinctly
different and yet have equal visual weight.
For instance, a long swerve of fine material, such as
Michaelmas daisies, at the left of a design can be balanced
by a shorter placement of heavier material, perhaps of
chrysanthemums or leaves, at the right nearer the center.
Greater interest is achieved this way because the sides are
not equal, yet they are equally balanced. It is similar to
obtaining balance on a see-saw, by placing a heavy man at
the right near the central axis and a fragile child on the
end at the left.
Color- Color is a vast subject, and is very important in
flower arrangement. Color can be used harmoniously or in
contrast. Attention should also be paid to the color of
foliage, especially if used as a buffer between two harsh
colors.
Color affects our senses, so remember that cheerful and
striking effects can be gained by using the warm colors,
such as red, yellow, and orange whilst more soothing and
delicate effects can be obtained by using blue-pinks,
mauves, blue and purple and grey foliage.
Subtle blendings of all one color from pale to dark are also
very effective, but try to remember that we are sometimes
blinded by the beauty of the color of flowers, and,
important though color is, it cannot stand on its own in a
flower arrangement without good design.
Focal point- This is sometimes termed the "Target",
"Highlight", the "Heart", of the design, or the "Accent", it
is the center of interest in a flower arrangement. It is the
point in the design where all the stems unite, and the place
where the most important material should be placed.
Important, I mean, either for size, color, dominance or
texture.
Scale- Scale is also important and materials should be
chosen so that they are related in size, not only to each
other, but to the container and background.It would be
incongruous to place Lilies of the Valley with a large
Dahlia.Similarly, a large incurved Chrysanthemum used as
focal interest in a narrow necked vase would be out of
scale, whereas the same bloom placed low in a large round
flat plate would be in scale.
Rhythm- Rhythm is a feeling of motion, and is achieved in
flower arrangement by the placement of curving lines and
graduating sizes leading towards the center and on again.
These lines are part of the original design and are placed
in rhythmic curves before the "filling in" material is added.
Composition- Composition is the unifying of several objects
into an overall framework. It is the joining up of flowers
and vase with an ornament, accessory, picture or other item.
Rhythm is usually very evident in good composition as
interest should lead the eye from one item to another.
Line- Line is the passage on which your eye is led from one
item to another in the arrangement. Each bud, leaf or
flower, by its size or color should be so placed as to take
your eye from a starting point to the central point of
interest where it should rest. If you remove all color from
a flower arrangement, such as unfortunately happens in a
black and white photograph, an arrangement with good line
should still emerge successfully from this acid test.
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The above article was written by Julia Clements.
Julia Clements has been described as a one woman floral
whirlwind, who at the age of 98 is still working, writing
and speaking about flowers. Julia helped in the setting up
of NAFAS (The National Association of Flower Arrangement
Societies) which has over 100,000 members in the UK. Her
autobiography, My Life With Flowers, sold 1 million copies
worldwide, and four varieties of rose bear her name.
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