Balloon Review 038 - Mac's Top Picks Vol 1 by ANDREW MCDONALD

Introducing an artist who hasn't been subject to a review yet. Andrew McDonald is best known for his Macpump (available from http://www.balloonartwholesale.co.uk) but he also has two DVDs which I believe were released in 2010. This DVD concentrates on models ideal for restaurants and line work so it will be interesting to see if there are any real 'workers' here. I am also looking forward to making some smaller models after the last few weeks!

This DVD is available from http://www.macpump.org priced $35

This DVD is marketed as a BASIC to INTERMEDIATE level DVD. The DVD is of good quality, production values are reasonable and each model is fully indexed with easy to follow instructions.

Let's see what we have here....

RABBIT

KIT LIST : 260Q WHITE / 260Q PERIWINKLE / 260Q ROSE / 350Q WHITE

Rabbits are one of my favorite balloon models and I am always in search of new designs. I really like Mac's rabbit. It is of the cute variety, is free standing and easily adapted with the use of different colours. There isn't anything overly complicated here but beginners will struggle to follow along the on-screen instructions for making the face. Really good and I will be adding this to my ever growing list of workable figures.

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BUTTERFLY

KIT LIST : 260Q SPRING LILAC / 160Q ROSE / 160Q YELLOW

A three balloon butterfly that is really easy to construct. Ideal for line work and the pinch twists on the body really help to keep all the wings tight and in place. At speed I would think this could be made in 1-2 mins.

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ELEPHANT

KIT LIST : 260Q GREY / 160Q WHITE

The photo of this model doesn't do it justice. This elephant is excellent but many people will struggle to create the deep hook twist for the nose. I popped four balloons trying to make it and I've been making these for quite some time now. Sizing of the balloons is key here as the lengths need to be quite accurate to complete the body and the legs.

Certainly not suitable for line work but I really like it.

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FISH

KIT LIST : 321Q UNDIPPED RED, YELLOW & BLUE / 5" EYE / 260Q BLUE

This fish cleverly uses 321Qs to construct the body. Fairly quick to make and the 321Qs make a nice contrast in bubble thickness.

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GIRAFFE

KIT LIST : 260Q GOLDENROD / 5" ROUND GOLDENROD / 5" ROUND WHITE

My best large giraffe design to date has to be the one by Tonya but this one matches it for cuteness and great design and is especially good for line work / restaurants. The head/body use just a single 260Q so a good stretch and careful sizing is required. I have added optional brown spots and a geo green base which just adds some finishing touches. This is really good and one I will be using again.

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Love this one

PUMPKIN

KIT LIST : 260Q ORANGE / 160Q GREEN / 160Q WHITE

This is an excellent mini pumpkin that is very easy to make. I especially like that one part of the pumpkin wall is broken to make a mouth and a nose. A small LED light could be added to make it light up in the dark at Halloween.

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PIG

KIT LIST : 260Q ROSE / 260Q WHITE

This pig is just a variation of a teddy bear head. The DVD instructions are a little confusing here and without playing them back again I am sure they are explained wrongly. The end result isn't that impressive and for line work I would say this was a little too complex. Not my thing.

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MONKEY

KIT LIST : 260Q MOCHA BROWN / 5" BLUSH

This monkey is fantastic for line work and brilliant given it only uses two balloons in total. Bubble sizing is critical here but can be made very fast with practice. I usually make David Brenion's monkey when needing a small model but this one is certainly more suitable when speed is required. Excellent.

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TIGER

KIT LIST : 260Q ORANGE / 260Q WHITE / 260Q PINK

This tiger is the perfect enhancement to my usual single balloon tiger. Relatively quick to make, easy in design with an optional nose if time allows.

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SNAKE

KIT LIST : 260Q LIME GREEN / 260Q YELLOW / 260Q RED

This snake is excellent. I particularly like the original head design and as it is joined separately to the body it does allow it to be moved to different positions. There is the usual challenge of spiraling body but the snake sits well on its own.

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SPIDERMAN

KIT LIST :  260Q RED / 260Q DARK BLUE / 260Q WHITE

This is a balloon is a quick spider man superhero. I don't like this one at all. I am sure for line work you will get away with it but compared to my usual repertoire for paid gigs it does look a bit below par. As for the white spiral I think it is supposed to be his web. Not my cup of tea - sorry!

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CAT

KIT LIST : PINK 260Q / WHITE 260Q / BLUE 260Q

The face design for this cat is quite good with the ears easily attached as part of the cat's body. It is quick to make but I have seen better cat designs that I would prefer to use.

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BOW & ARROW

KIT LIST : 350Q LIME GREEN / 260Q YELLOW / 260Q PALE BLUE

This bow & arrow is excellent and does actually work. The arrow can be fired a good distance. The bow itself is easy to hold and is a wonderful design. Great fun.

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