I recently visited Kew Gardens and not only did I feel the beauty and magic of nature, but I also got some inspiration and insight from the visit.

The garden has greenhouses for flowers and the warm and humid environment provides for the survival of a diverse range of plants. It also shows the magnificence and diversity of nature. I saw many flowers and plants that I had never seen before, in all their different forms and colours, which made you amazed at the creativity and wonders of nature. The visit also made me realise that we can also draw inspiration and creative materials from nature in our animation work to make it more colourful.

I imagined and drew some sketches based on the roots of a bonsai tree, a few elfs, with the image of the elf also referencing some flowers and plants. I also drew the tree sprites based on the grain of a tree in the park. The plants are like little miniature worlds, perhaps a tiny plant hiding a whole kingdom of little people!

I think in animation I need to focus on the ecosystem and the balance presented in the work to make it more natural and realistic. The botanical garden shows exactly that.

Another thought was about the plant textures, where tens of thousands of plants have their own unique ‘coat’, which varies from plant to plant depending on climate, temperature, humidity, time and space. I was inspired by these wonderful textures. They can be used in future animations, such as textures for stop-motion transitions.

To sum up, my visit to Kew Gardens has given me a deep sense of the beauty and magic of nature, and I have gained many inspirations and insights from it. I believe that in my future studies and creations, I will draw more inspiration and creative materials from nature, pay attention to the ecological balance and natural authenticity in my works, as well as bring my unique creativity and thinking skills into play.