113 - OLAF BY DAVID AND SHANA BRENION

Started by nippy99, May 02, 2014, 05:25:25 PM

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nippy99

Balloon Review 113 : Olaf by David and Shana Brenion

Available from http://www.balloon-animals.com - Priced $10

The very popular character from the Disney film Frozen. There are many designs on-line and photos of other artist creations a lot of whom use a geo structure for the face. I was surprised to discover a different approach and interested to see how the design was put together.

This video is available to download or stream on-line. As posted by David a few days ago on balloonchat, this instruction set has a slightly different approach to the regular videos. There are three videos to download and/or stream on-line. I will review each one below in detail.

Before I start, as always the production quality and professionalism of the video is excellent. The audio is very clear, David is an excellent teacher and all is done in a humorous and jovial way. It is great to Shana make an appearance to share her artwork techniques.

The only minor criticism is David has taken to wearing white gloves and sometimes (at least on my computer) it was hard to see the white balloon held by white gloves against white/cream background. I would have preferred to see David's bare hands.

Let's see what we have here...
Darren Atkins
MagicWorks Ltd


Twitter :
@magicworksltd

nippy99

#1
Olaf Live Build Video

This video is an interesting concept. It is a real-time video of David making the design without any verbal instructions. I believe this video is aimed at advance twisters who are too impatient to watch the longer instruction video. It lasts around 8mins. Hey, I'm an advanced twister so i thought I would try this one first.

WRONG, there is no way I could make Olaf just with this video. Too much is missed and unspoken to make a decent job at it. Saying that, this video is invaluable to watch and make along to if you have made this balloon before. Very helpful as a reminder. It saves me having to fast forward all the slow parts I have listened to and watched before.
Darren Atkins
MagicWorks Ltd


Twitter :
@magicworksltd

nippy99

#2
Olaf Instructions

This is the main instructional video that lasts a massive 26 mins. Yes 26 mins for just one balloon but the information, hints and tips shared by David and Shana are invaluable. You get to learn all the intricate detail to make a decent job at this.
 
This design uses a Q-link – I didn't have any so used a regular round balloon. It worked OK but maybe the body isn't as round as it could be. To be honest, the sizing of the 321Q head and neck takes a few goes. You do need the exact amount of air. I won't give away any secrets but I absolutely love the technique to angle the arms and the hair. So simple but works so well. The character really comes to life once the nose has been added!

The feet are added to the body in an interesting way. I'm not sure I like the look of an uninflated balloon around the body but the people I have shown it to so far haven't mentioned it and it really does hold the body in place.

Mounted on a headband this Olaf has a lot of movement. The body and the arms jiggle around and it looks really great.
Shana pops up towards the end to share her artwork techniques. Every line is explained in detail to the point that anyone can follow along.
Darren Atkins
MagicWorks Ltd


Twitter :
@magicworksltd

nippy99

#3
Hint and Tips

This video segment offers the real secrets and makes a huge difference to your final design. David explains techniques to help shape the final balloon even down to positioning the snowman depending upon the size of the person wearing the headband.
Once I made this balloon, whilst I liked the result, I considered it too time consuming to be made in the real world. However, David explains how to simplify the design down to the point where one particular version could be made within a few minutes.
Darren Atkins
MagicWorks Ltd


Twitter :
@magicworksltd

nippy99

#4
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Darren Atkins
MagicWorks Ltd


Twitter :
@magicworksltd

nippy99

#5
Summary

Whilst the final design is pleasing, there is so much more to be learned here. David and Shana's attention to detail is tremendous and you can learn so much by taking the time to watch all of the video content. I spend a lot of time doing reviews and there are only a handful of artists who I know offer a quality product time and time again. David and Shana are on that list.

Buy this – and build yourself a snowman!
Darren Atkins
MagicWorks Ltd


Twitter :
@magicworksltd

Danny the Idiot

#6
I would like to add that I completely agree with yet another great review from Nippy.

Although the figure is wonderful, I love all the speed techniques, new ideas and ways of twisting that David presents.

Well worth $10!

 :D
Danny Schlesinger
Balloon Excellence Award Winner
https://dannytheidiot.com
https://www.CircoRidiculoso.com
Follow me on Twitter at @danny_the_idiot

nippy99

#7
This review has had 43 views in about 5 mins :-)
Darren Atkins
MagicWorks Ltd


Twitter :
@magicworksltd

Robeagling

#8
Darren excellent review as always. I think I will get it at $10 it's a snip!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

David Brenion

#9
Wow, Darren thank you so much! I'm so glad you like the video and I can't wait to see other folks have a go at the design. That's my favorite part of making videos...that and paying the bills :)


-David Brenion
www.niftyballoons.com

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk