Basic Floral Design Lesson
/American Traditional Designs
Submitted by Beverly Williams
Characteristics
1. Based on a single “set pattern” of geometric form (sphere, triangle, cylinder, pyramid, etc.)
2. Plant material used in naturalistic manner, radiating from one point. Little or no abstraction.
3. Plant material, forms, and colors are integrated rather than grouped.
4. Space within the design is of little importance.
5. Depth is achieved by:
a. Overlapping of forms
b. Placing some forms in profile
c. Completing the back of the design
d. Using transitional materials and gradation of colors and sizes.
6. Creativity is achieved through beauty, unity, harmony and selection of plant material.
American Traditional Line - Mass
1. Conforms to American Traditional characteristics above.
2. Linear pattern established, which can be vertical, horizontal, crescent, S-curve or zigzag; however, additional plant material enhances and strengthens the line.
3. Center of interest or focal area may be included.
4. Massed plant material emphasizes the center of interest but never obscures the linear pattern.
Traditional mass design, by Kathleen Lunman
Line-mass design, by Beverly Willliams
