032 - THE CHARACTERS MAGIC BALLOON BY BEATING

Started by nippy99, April 09, 2012, 05:34:13 PM

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nippy99

Balloon Review 032 - The Characters Magic Balloon Book by Beating

Available from http://www.ibs-balloons.be/ - price approx £70 with shipping to the UK

This book first got my interest after seeing a few people post on-line about trying to get hold of this hard to find book. I was intrigued and had to track it down myself. I first found Beatings website here http://www.balltoon.com/ and was amazed at some of the wonderful creations, in particular, some of the cartoon characters that appeared in this book. So I invested a large sum of money and purchased it!

It's going to take a while to finish this review but let's see if the contents are worthy of the investment.

Firstly, let me say the book is 270 pages long, printed in full colour on glossy paper and so you can see why it isn't cheap. Each model is accompanied with many full colour photos and there is some text which has been translated from korean to english. This means there are some errors but if you have some balloon experience, combine the photos with the text, you won't have too much trouble.

Here goes....
Darren Atkins
MagicWorks Ltd


Twitter :
@magicworksltd

nippy99

DAFFY DUCK

I usually make Daffy Duck for line work and use the fairly simple design from the Palloncini books so I was interested to see how this slightly more complicated version works out. Overall this is a nice design. There is nothing particularly complex however I can't help feeling the legs do not look quite right. The waist of the duck has a tendency to twist around and so a small pinch twist in front and behind would have added stability. This is certainly more time consuming that my usual version and I am not convinced the extra time is worth it.

[attachment=0:a406vf78][/attachment]SAM_4966.jpg[/attachment:a406vf78]
Darren Atkins
MagicWorks Ltd


Twitter :
@magicworksltd

nippy99

BUGS BUNNY

This Bugs Bunny has a pretty good face and those people I have shown it to recognise it as Bugs. This one is a little bit fiddly in that the head bubbles were hard to position without the whole thing twisting around. The proportions are pretty good. I found myself looking at the photos and making the instructions up myself in places. This distracts from recommending it to a complete beginner. Some detective work is required to make these models. Sizes are given in centimetres and still need to be adjusted as you go along.

[attachment=0:2vx73qff][/attachment]638-bugsbunny.jpg[/attachment:2vx73qff]
Darren Atkins
MagicWorks Ltd


Twitter :
@magicworksltd

nippy99

FOGHORN LEGHORN

"I say I say boy" - my wife kept repeating after I made this! One of my childhood favourites. The head design on this model is very nice with a red comb on top and a bit under the chin. I think this is instantly recognisable but as before I can't help thinking the proportions are not quite correct even though the original cartoon character had quite short legs. Perhaps I am just being too fussy. Fairly easy to make and the 160Q waistband helps to hold the character in place.

[attachment=0:35goveik][/attachment]660-foghorn.jpg[/attachment:35goveik]
Darren Atkins
MagicWorks Ltd


Twitter :
@magicworksltd

nippy99

MICKEY MOUSE

There are quite a few mickey designs around and I do have to say I don't think the facial design on this one is the best. I know Graham's very own balloon mickey mouse hat is better as is the face shown in my review for Carl Skenes DVD. I like the method for making the shoes and this figure does stand very tall. Loved by the recipient and everyone knows who it is.

[attachment=0:1u18702i][/attachment]605-mickey.jpg[/attachment:1u18702i]
Darren Atkins
MagicWorks Ltd


Twitter :
@magicworksltd

nippy99

TAZ

A really amazing design. This Taz is one of the best I have seen and is great fun to make. After only making it twice I can now make it from memory and have been making plenty of these over the last week. On all the models I have made I was unable to make the teeth sit correctly so I did tie them in position with a scrap of balloon wrapped around the teeth and the nose. It should also be noted that glue dots or glue needs to be used to stick the tongue 160Q together. When I made one of these at the hospital last week and didn't have any glue dots I just tied a piece of scrap 160Q pink around the tongue which is hidden deep inside the mouth. This worked very well.

I guess the quality of this design is why it is include on the front cover of the book!

Highly recommended.

[attachment=0:3bkfpc6j][/attachment]649-taz.jpg[/attachment:3bkfpc6j]
Darren Atkins
MagicWorks Ltd


Twitter :
@magicworksltd

nippy99

PORKY PIG

Another popular loony toon. This porky pig isn't bad. The nose design for a snout is interesting with two uninflated black tips being tulip twisted into the nose. I am not too sure about the final proportions but it clearly identifiable as porky pig.

[attachment=0:yo3piztb][/attachment]SAM_5087.jpg[/attachment:yo3piztb]
Darren Atkins
MagicWorks Ltd


Twitter :
@magicworksltd

nippy99

ELMER FUDD

One of my favourite cartoon characters. The instructions for this design are not entirely clear in places and some careful study of the photos and a little interpretation is needed. The back of the head just under the hat brim is a little unstable and it took me a while to get the hat to sit well on top. The end result is nice, although using the measurements in the book exactly, I feel Elmer's cheeks are too big. They should be a bit smaller. Certainly not a design for complete beginners.

[attachment=0:fjz2hryb][/attachment]elmer.jpg[/attachment:fjz2hryb]
Darren Atkins
MagicWorks Ltd


Twitter :
@magicworksltd

nippy99

DONALD DUCK

This is the best Donald Duck I have found so far. It does take some time to make and I particularly like the coat design and the way in which it supports the head. The instructions are a little inaccurate in places (at least how I interpreted them) but easily adjusted with some thought. I like this one.

[attachment=0:2sagcarz][/attachment]duck.jpg[/attachment:2sagcarz]
Darren Atkins
MagicWorks Ltd


Twitter :
@magicworksltd

mrgiggles

Nippy I am loving your creations so far, especially Donald.  I have just found a group called 1FIVEZERO that are based in Korea, they are currently looking for expressions of interest to assess if reprinting 'The Characters' is feasible.  Drop onto their Facebook site to let them know if you are keen   http://www.facebook.com/150balloon
 
Until then keep up the good work Nippy, can I request the Pluto sculpture as your next creation!!!

nippy99

#10
I've been to the 1FIVEZERO site and it is a nightmare to navigate. There is a new booking coming out with about 8 cartoon characters in it. It is expensive and you can't see what is inside the book!

Pluto will be next....
Darren Atkins
MagicWorks Ltd


Twitter :
@magicworksltd

nippy99

#11
PLUTO

Whilst this balloon could be seen as Pluto due to the same colour and cartoon feel, I do not think it is a particularly good parody. In fact, from all my reviews to date, the Pluto on Carl Skenes DVD is much better. This is a decent cartoon dog but can't help feel a little disappointed. You will probably look for other designs.

[attachment=0:3i8p7ku7][/attachment]pluto.jpg[/attachment:3i8p7ku7]
Darren Atkins
MagicWorks Ltd


Twitter :
@magicworksltd

mrgiggles

Thanks for making Pluto, its a shame that it didn't work out that well.  From the pictures of his book on the net I thought that this balloon was going to be a star.   This is why I totally love your reviews! Keep up the good work.

nippy99

DAISY DUCK

Based on the previous Donald Duck design, this balloon is lovely. As with all these designs the instructions are a little tricky in places and careful study of the text and photos plus a little experimentation is required. The shoes/feet are really neat but be warned this one does take a little extra time to make. I like it a lot.

[attachment=0:3evdtvxm][/attachment]daisy.jpg[/attachment:3evdtvxm]
Darren Atkins
MagicWorks Ltd


Twitter :
@magicworksltd

nippy99

MARVIN THE MARTIAN

I am sure not many people will know who Marvin the Martian is so maybe this one has limited use. The instructions for this are quite challenging especially the helmet design. The photos are not clear and I had to make up my own instructions so I am uncertain whether my version matches the original design.

I added two additional pinch twists for the top of the neck to add stability. Surprisingly the 160Q legs support the rest of the body.

Mixed feelings about this one but it did get a good reaction.

[attachment=0:6cg34l2p][/attachment]marvin.jpg[/attachment:6cg34l2p]
Darren Atkins
MagicWorks Ltd


Twitter :
@magicworksltd