Nature: Raw Material of Ornamental Design

Originally published in the 1900s, Nature: Raw Material of Ornamental Design is one of two companion books on Nature and Ornament authored by a well-known English designer & author of the time.

The purpose of this book is to illustrate as fully as possible the decorative and ornamental character of natural growth, and its infinite suggestiveness as the starting point in design.

There will be found by the reader among its illustrations many details of plant growth which can hardly fail to be of use to the designer in his work; but their aim is not to do for him what he can only do for himself. To make sure of studies that will serve his individual turn, an artist must make his own drawings. No one else can do more than fill gaps in them.

The studies are only samples of what is easily to be discovered by those who look for it. Their object is:

• to indicate the fullness and variety of suggestion everywhere in nature;
• to show the kind of nature study which is most helpful towards design;
• to call attention to sources of inspiration which have not been drawn upon by the designer as they might be;
• to point the way to new and personal forms of ornament equally derived from nature, by showing the use that has already been made of natural growth and detail.

Contents Covered:

• Trees
• Stalks
• Leaves and Tendrils
• Flowers and Flower Buds
• Seed Vessels
• Fruits
• Accident and Incident
• Colour
• Nature Study
• Plant Drawing
• Mere Ornament