Modelling4Comfort

Daffodil - Planning & Initial Build

• Part of:
in harmony with others
in harmony with others
range of flower types
range of flower types

Project Overview

The daffodil display is part of the ongoing Plant Displays Series, featuring this classic spring bulb (Narcissus) with its distinctive bright yellow trumpet flowers. This build log documents the planning, material collection, and construction progress for creating a detailed botanical display.

Current Status

In Progress - Research and material collection phase (20 planning images, 6 build photos documented)

The daffodil display will include:

  • Carved wood bulb showing internal structure and layers
  • Leaf models (pressed specimens and scratch-built linear leaves)
  • Trumpet flower construction (paper/clay techniques for corona and perianth)
  • Root system carved from wood
  • Seasonal growth stages showing emergence through flowering

Why Daffodil?

The daffodil holds special significance as:

  • Classic spring herald with cheerful yellow blooms
  • Personal garden favorite with annual appearance
  • Interesting bulb structure for cross-section display
  • Distinctive trumpet flower shape offering construction challenges
  • Cultural and poetic significance (Wordsworth’s “host of golden daffodils”)

Planning & Research Phase

The extensive planning documentation covers reference photos of daffodils at various growth stages, bulb cross-section research and design, trumpet flower petal structure analysis, leaf growth pattern studies, and material sample testing.

Flower Reference Photos:

Daffodil Flowers 1 Daffodil flower characteristics: various trumpet coronas, six-petaled perianth, various yellow coloring

Daffodil Flowers 2 multi color flowers more trumpet structures and buds

Daffodil Flowers 3 buds just before flowering; single type standing; multi color with long trumpets

Bulb Structure Reference:

Daffodil Bulb Planning Bulb of large daffodil

Scenery:

Daffodil Scenes Planning Natural growth patterns, habitat settings, and seasonal display concepts

Leaf and Structural Templates:

Daffodil Templates Planning Linear leaf structure, growth patterns, and construction template references

Design Challenges

Bulb Construction:

  • Creating layered structure visible in cross-section
  • Carving concentric layers without splitting wood
  • Showing papery brown exterior and white fleshy interior

Trumpet Flower:

  • Distinctive corona (trumpet) extending from perianth (petals)
  • Achieving delicate flared edge of trumpet
  • Six petals arranged symmetrically
  • Bright yellow color accuracy

Linear Leaves:

  • Long, narrow, bluish-green leaves
  • Showing natural curve and growth pattern
  • Pressed specimens vs scratch-built comparison

Construction Progress

Build Photos

Build 001

Build 002

Build 003

Build 004

Build 005

Build 006

Gallery - Current State

Gallery 001 Current construction state showing progress on daffodil display components

Techniques Being Explored

Wood Carving for Bulb

  • Selecting appropriate wood grain for layered effect
  • Carving tools for detailed interior structure
  • Finishing techniques to show different tissue types

Paper/Clay Flower Construction

  • Creating trumpet shape with proper flare
  • Attaching corona to perianth seamlessly
  • Painting techniques for yellow gradations

Leaf Modeling

  • Pressing actual daffodil leaves for comparison
  • Scratch-building linear leaves with natural curve
  • Resin casting possibilities for preservation

Materials Collected

  • Reference photographs (spring daffodils in bloom)
  • Wood blanks for bulb carving
  • Pressed daffodil leaves (spring collection)
  • Yellow paper samples for flower construction
  • Clay samples for petal experiments

Next Steps

  1. Seasonal Material Collection - Continue gathering pressed specimens through spring bloom
  2. Bulb Carving - Complete wood-carved bulb cross-section
  3. Flower Construction - Prototype trumpet techniques in paper and clay
  4. Root System - Design and carve root structure
  5. Board Layout - Plan arrangement of all components
  6. Identification Plate - Design etched plate with details

Timeline

This display will progress through multiple seasons:

  • Spring: Collect pressed flowers and leaves at peak
  • Summer/Fall: Construction of carved and modeled components
  • Winter: Assembly and board layout work
  • Ongoing: Refinement and documentation

This build log will be updated as the daffodil display progresses through construction phases. Check back for updates on bulb carving, flower construction, and final assembly.

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