An S-curve arrangement, one-sided

• Pattern: oval

• Line: S-line, sometimes called the Hogarth Curve after the English artist, William Hogarth

• Container: a tall pedestal container or tall vase

• Stem support: water-holding foam block or block styrofoam

• Flower shapes: round mass forms for the focal point; pliable line forms (flowers or foliage) for the S-shape

This is one of the loveliest formal design forms and one of the most difficult to create. The two half ovals can be of the same size, creating a perfect S-shape; or the top oval can be larger than the bottom oval for a variation of the style. Flowers and foliage used to create the S-shape should be chosen for their natural curvature when possible to reduce the amount of wiring needed.

Step 1: Tape the water-holding foam or styrofoam into or on top of the container (Figure 7-20).

Step 1: Secure the stem support Step 2: Measure, cut, and wire the

material in the container. If the two line flowers or foliage to be at

opening in the container is too small, least 11/2 times as long as the

attach the material to the top of the container’s greatest dimension.

container.

Container height or width

whichever is greatest

Step 2: Measure two line flowers (or foliage) to be at least 1V2 times as long as the container’s longest dimension. Wire and tape the stems with wire of a gauge sufficient to hold the desired curvature.

Step 3: Insert the top flower or foliage form into the left side of the foam, angled upward and slightly backward. The tip of the curved stem should reach toward the vertical center of the arrangement but not quite touch it.

Step 4: Insert the lower stem into the right side of the foam, angled downward and slightly forward. The reverse curvature of the lower stem should equal that of the upper stem.

Step 5: Add flowers and foliage, increasing the size and coarseness of the texture as the focal point is approached.

Note: As the arrangements are completed, the back sides should be fin­ished as well, with foliage used to fill in blank areas and conceal the foam

base. All fresh stems must be firmly implanted in the moist foam to pre­vent premature wilting of the arrangement.