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Hector M. Melendez

Hector "Mulato" Melendez take your bonsai skills to the next level with this Advanced Bonsai Course.

This is a great course when you know the basics of bonsai, but still want to learn more, to get to the next level.

In this course  you will learn advanced techniques including advanced wiring, creating and maintaining deadwood, redesign bonsai, advanced cultivating techniques, planting over rock, prepare bonsais for exhibitions, and much more.

Read more

Hector "Mulato" Melendez take your bonsai skills to the next level with this Advanced Bonsai Course.

This is a great course when you know the basics of bonsai, but still want to learn more, to get to the next level.

In this course  you will learn advanced techniques including advanced wiring, creating and maintaining deadwood, redesign bonsai, advanced cultivating techniques, planting over rock, prepare bonsais for exhibitions, and much more.

The lectures in this course contain step by step  instructions, detailed videos and explained images, that will guide students and help them learn advanced techniques very fast.

The majority of the lectures in this course are for the students to practice, and the tools needed are listed at the beginning of each lecture.

After completing this course the student will have a better understanding of advanced bonsai techniques, converting students in better bonsai artists as they will start making better bonsais.

The students will get better as they start to practice the content of this course.

In other words, this course will help students get to the next level as bonsai artists.

If you want to become a better bonsai artist and get better at this art, then this course is for you.

Important:

For you to have a better understanding of this course, we suggest you take the "Basic Bonsai Course", which has the basic and intermediate content.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Students will learn to use advanced techniques to get to the next level as a bonsai artist
  • Students will have great understanding of types of deadwood in bonsai, and will learn how to create it and maintain it
  • Students will learn how to prepare their bonsais for exhibitions or for photo contests
  • Students will learn different types of rock planting
  • Students will learn advanced wiring techniques
  • Students will become better bonsai artists after completing this course

Syllabus

Introduction
Redesign Bonsai
Why to Redesign Bonsai?
Redesign Demonstration
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores a variety of advanced bonsai techniques, aiding learners in developing stronger bonsai artistry skills
Incorporates hands-on practice and detailed illustrations, making it an accessible course for learners of various skill levels
Provides comprehensive instruction on advanced wiring, deadwood creation, and maintenance, expanding learners' technical knowledge
Encompasses essential topics such as redesign, planting over rock, and exhibition preparation, equipping learners with well-rounded bonsai skills
Taught by an experienced bonsai artist, Hector M. Melendez, who provides valuable insights and expertise throughout the course
While not explicitly required, the course recommends prior knowledge in basic bonsai techniques for optimal comprehension

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Reviews summary

Mastering advanced bonsai artistry

According to learners, this course is a highly comprehensive guide for those ready to delve into advanced bonsai techniques. Students consistently praise the detailed, step-by-step video instructions and the instructor's deep expertise, especially in areas like deadwood creation, advanced wiring, and exhibition preparation. While some find its breadth occasionally sacrifices depth on certain niche topics, and a few reviews mention minor production quirks like occasional audio quality issues in older lectures, the course is broadly considered transformative for intermediate practitioners seeking to elevate their artistry and apply practical, hands-on methods.
Designed for learners who already possess basic bonsai knowledge.
"This isn't for beginners; you truly need the basics to fully benefit from this course."
"It assumes prior knowledge, which is good, as it dives right into complex subjects without rehashing fundamentals."
"Make sure you have your basic techniques down before attempting this; it starts at an advanced level."
Hector 'Mulato' Melendez brings deep knowledge and passion.
"Mulato Melendez delivers! His insights on redesigning bonsai and fixing nebari are gold."
"The instructor's passion is evident, which makes the learning experience very engaging."
"I felt much more confident in my artistic choices after learning from him."
Features excellent step-by-step videos and helpful demonstrations.
"The step-by-step videos make complex processes easy to follow."
"The visuals are helpful, and the instructor clearly knows his stuff."
"His explanation of guy wire usage was crystal clear, making the method understandable."
Covers a wide array of sophisticated bonsai practices for next-level artistry.
"The sections on advanced wiring and deadwood creation were incredibly detailed, showing techniques I haven't seen elsewhere."
"Absolutely fantastic! The most comprehensive guide to preparing bonsai for shows I've found."
"This course truly lives up to its name. Highly recommend for anyone serious about bonsai!"
Some older reviews mentioned occasional audio or video quality concerns.
"The video quality in a few spots could be better, though the content is still valuable."
"My only minor critique is that some parts felt a bit rushed, and the audio quality in some early lectures was poor."
"While some topics were interesting, I noticed some inconsistencies in presentation quality."
Some advanced topics are less in-depth, or feel tangential to core tree shaping.
"I felt this course was a bit disjointed, covering a lot of ground but sometimes lacking the depth I expected for 'advanced' topics."
"Some sections like kusamono crafting felt a bit out of place for an 'advanced' bonsai course."
"I expected more complex styling discussions, as creating bonsai pots felt like a separate skill not directly tied to advanced tree shaping."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Advanced Bonsai Course with these activities:
Review 'Bonsai Techniques II' by John Yoshio Naka
Reviewing this book will enhance your understanding of advanced bonsai techniques, which will complement the course materials well.
Show steps
Practice Wiring Techniques
Enhance your precision and dexterity in wiring bonsai by practicing various methods.
Browse courses on Wiring
Show steps
  • Review the provided tutorial on advanced wiring techniques
  • Select a suitable bonsai specimen for practice
  • Apply different wire gauges and techniques to create desired shapes and angles
  • Evaluate your results and adjust your technique as needed
Watch video tutorials on specialized bonsai wiring techniques
These tutorials will provide a deeper dive into specialized wiring techniques, which will be particularly useful for developing your bonsai-wiring skills.
Show steps
  • Search for video tutorials on specialized wiring techniques for bonsai.
  • Watch the tutorials and take notes on the techniques demonstrated.
  • If possible, practice the techniques on some of your own bonsai trees.
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Plan and Plant a Bonsai on Rock
Challenge your skills by designing and planting a bonsai on rock, creating a unique and visually striking composition.
Show steps
  • Select a suitable rock and bonsai specimen
  • Plan the layout and design of your rock planting
  • Secure the bonsai to the rock using appropriate techniques
  • Care for and maintain your rock-planted bonsai
Master Bonsai Photography Techniques
Capture the beauty of your bonsai creations by honing your photography skills and learning techniques for stunning compositions.
Show steps
  • Review the basics of photography and composition
  • Practice taking photos of bonsai from different angles and perspectives
  • Experiment with lighting and backgrounds to enhance your images
  • Edit and post-process your photos to showcase your bonsai's finest qualities
Join a bonsai discussion group or forum and participate in discussions related to advanced bonsai techniques
Engaging in discussions with other bonsai enthusiasts will provide you with valuable insights, feedback, and opportunities to learn from others.
Show steps
  • Join a bonsai discussion group or forum.
  • Introduce yourself and share your level of experience in bonsai.
  • Participate in discussions related to advanced bonsai techniques.
  • Share your own experiences and insights, and ask questions to learn from others.

Career center

Learners who complete Advanced Bonsai Course will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

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