Balloon Chat
Uncategorized Boards => Balloon Review => Topic started by: nippy99 on February 11, 2012, 09:46:41 PM
THUNDER THIGHS BY BONNIE PDFS
** UPDATE ** - SORRY I HAVE NO LARGER PHOTOS AVAILABLE
Available from http://www.balloonjam.com/bonnie/ (http://www.balloonjam.com/bonnie/) priced $25 shipped via email.
Bonnie has an impressive collection of PDFs. This one comes 22 different designs all of which are carefully explained with accurate measurements and photos. The key thing here is that the basic structure for the thunder thigh can be easily adapted for many other models. Let's see what we have here...
ALIEN DUDE
A wonderful alien, easy to construct with some nice movement with the antennae. Bonnie's wonderful leg design allows the model to be tilted forward and backwards by the body joint so without much difficulty the balloon can be free standing.
[attachment=0:3nilbjsk][/attachment]127-alien.jpg[/attachment:3nilbjsk]
CALF
A great Calf or Cow using a blush heart for the mouth. The use of black ink patches adds character. I don't think any of these designs are suitable for linework but this one is pretty quick if working a restaurant or other event. Really nice.
[attachment=0:2l3jfnp2][/attachment]128-calf.jpg[/attachment:2l3jfnp2]
CHICK
A great chicken. The red comb on top looks neat and in my attempt the wings could have been a little longer so they curled upwards more. The double bubble feet are a nice variation.
[attachment=0:38ynkm5v][/attachment]129-chick.jpg[/attachment:38ynkm5v]
DOG
An interesting head shape for the dog but I have the feeling that it looks a little too large for the body I made. Perhaps I needed to be a little more careful with the measurements. The ears are cleverly attached. As with all these designs there are always little things you can apply to other models.
[attachment=0:3hzerlhq][/attachment]130-dog.jpg[/attachment:3hzerlhq]
DUCKLING
A simple version of the Chicken. Quick to make and looks nice. Not too much else to say about this one.
[attachment=0:1e3rcgig][/attachment]131-duckling.jpg[/attachment:1e3rcgig]
EAGLE
A really great eagle with excellent neck design. This model is a little more tricky than the other birds in this series but well wort h it.
[attachment=0:2xw02mqd][/attachment]132-eagle.jpg[/attachment:2xw02mqd]
ELEPHANT
This model contains once of my less favourite techniques of trying to add shape to 260 balloon ears. My attempt makes then look more rounded and not particularly good. The trunk isn't long enough in my opinion and whilst it looks like an elephant I feel there are slightly better ones around.
[attachment=0:ppxzcpr3][/attachment]133-elephant.jpg[/attachment:ppxzcpr3]
HIPPO
A lovely hippo with a heart shaped mouth. Using some careful artwork the effect is great and this one looks really nice. Squeezing the ears under the head bubble can be a bit of a struggle.
[attachment=0:y06pr0ux][/attachment]134-hippo.jpg[/attachment:y06pr0ux]
KANGEROO
A nice looking character but not convinced this one passes as a kangeroo. Perhaps the addition of a pouch would help. Easy to make especially when you have made all the other designs first. Not suitable for line work.
[attachment=0:3jxz4a16][/attachment]135-kangeroo.jpg[/attachment:3jxz4a16]
KITTEN
A passable cat but not really sure how this one looks like a kitten. Even so it is fairly quick to make and the face is nice.
[attachment=0:2zxw4rw1][/attachment]136-kitten.jpg[/attachment:2zxw4rw1]
LIZARD
I really like this Lizard but when I've shown this one to a few people they haven't a clue what it is! The tail at the rear makes the model free standing.
[attachment=0:2nev5spt][/attachment]137-lizard.jpg[/attachment:2nev5spt]
MONKEY
It's hard to write too many original comments about these models as they are based on the same body design. This monkey face doesn't look quite right to me and again my own kids didn't know what it was supposed to be. Maybe replacing the head with the simple one designed on Don Caldwell's famous monkey would be better.
[attachment=0:cb358dnd][/attachment]138-monkey.jpg[/attachment:cb358dnd]
MOUSE
An effective mouse. I think that white eyes would be better than Bonnie's choice of black ones. The ears are a nice edition and again it can be free standing if required.
[attachment=0:1k3yti0g][/attachment]139-mouse.jpg[/attachment:1k3yti0g]
PANDA
Other than the black and white balloons I struggle to see this one as a Panda. The head reminds me more of a seal face (if made in grey) or another form of animal. I really do like this head design but I may adapt it for a different type of animal.
[attachment=0:yckxv2ky][/attachment]140-panda.jpg[/attachment:yckxv2ky]
PENGUIN
A fairly simple and quick penguin to make. The feet are good and the overall impression is a chubby penguin. Other penguin colours such as grey can be added for different variations.
[attachment=0:23m30j9g][/attachment]141-penguin.jpg[/attachment:23m30j9g]
PIG
This pig is great. The tulip twist creates an effective but simple nose. The chubby legs are perfect for a porky pig.
[attachment=0:2ep43iqx][/attachment]142-pig.jpg[/attachment:2ep43iqx]
RABBIT
In my opinion this is one of the best designs in the collection. If a nice fluffy tail is added to the rear you can make this one free standing. The contrast of the 160 ears to the 350 legs I think gives it a nice shape. Very popular when this is made and a real crowd pleaser.
Adding a simple balloon weave to make a basket full of real chocolate eggs makes a useful delivery piece or gift.
[attachment=0:2wtsm5gt][/attachment]143-rabbit.jpg[/attachment:2wtsm5gt]
TEDDY
A standard teddy bear head placed upon the thunder thighs base. Very quick and simple. This is a popular choice at gigs.
[attachment=0:1p4jfvh6][/attachment]144-teddy.jpg[/attachment:1p4jfvh6]
BABY T-REX
This is a very good design and one of my favourites. The use of a white round for the mouth plus the extra artwork is really effective for the teeth. With the additional tail this model can be free standing.
[attachment=0:k9vwxr69][/attachment]146-babytrex.jpg[/attachment:k9vwxr69]
TIGER
The face of this tiger is beautiful. A really tight design gives the nose a good shape and the character has a cute cartoon feel to it. Absolutely one of the best face designs in this collection.
[attachment=0:xbckhwcg][/attachment]147-tiger.jpg[/attachment:xbckhwcg]
TURTLE
The shell design of this turtle is nice which gives the overall model a nice curved shape as if the turtle is struggling to carry its home on its back. I am not too sure about the overall head design. Not sure it captures the overall look and feel of a turtle. Saying that, it is still a quality design and highly recommended.
[attachment=0:rm8xualv][/attachment]148-turtle.jpg[/attachment:rm8xualv]
RHINO
The last model of the collection is the rhino. A really good design for the head with the 'horn' holding both the mouth and the snout together. Care must be taken to size the bubbles correctly and to really stretch a 260Q otherwise you will not be able to make the head out of just one balloon.
[attachment=0:233u1hgk][/attachment]145-rhino.jpg[/attachment:233u1hgk]
SUMMARY
An improvement from Sitters Vol 1 (see balloon review 019). This collection has some very nice designs especially the tiger and the rabbit. As with Bonnie's other PDF publications, these are easy to follow, include accurate measurements and plenty of photos.
A very well produced set of PDFS that are easy to follow and include plenty of photos. The concept of the thunder thighs can be applied to many other characters and this is the real learning point. Well worth $25.
If anyone has any ideas for my next review I am open to suggestions....