Balloon Review 112 - Mac's Top Picks Vol 2 - Andrew Mcdonald

Available from http://www.macpump.org priced $40

You will find a review of Vol 1 in the Balloon Review section. This follow-on volume offers 13 new designs. I enjoyed Vol 1 as it included many real world creations perfect for line work. Hopefully this one will be the same.

To start the DVD is fully indexed and it is easy to find the model you are looking for. However, the quality of the video is not as good as it could be and in a couple of models the video skips missing out an essential part of the build process. I will talk about that in more detail later.

So let's see what we have here.

BUFFALO

An interesting model to the start the collection. Andrew has managed to create the body shape of the buffalo perfectly with its raised shoulders. Easy to assemble - not sure whether you will ever get requested for one of these unless you work at a Rodeo! Sizing of the brown balloon is crucial but you can add another one if required.

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BULL

This balloon uses the classic heart shaped nose. The threading of the 160Q horns through the ears keeps everything in position. Due to the legs coming together into a single point this could easily be mounted on a headband. Just leave out the horns to make a cow. Nothing particularly new here but a nice model all the same.

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CATERPILLAR

For me this is one of the highlights of the DVD. Incredibly easy and quick to make and a brilliant addition to any flower bouquet or this can be simply mounted onto a headband.

The use of a 160Q across the back of the caterpillar allows you to position the final model in any pose that you like. This adds expression.

Really nice and one I will use a lot.

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DRAGON

This model has grown on me now I have made it a couple of times. The photo attached doesn't really show it at the best angle. It is simply a standard dinosaur with added 160Q wings but the design allows it to be displayed either sitting down or in an in-flight position. Leave out the teeth and you have a very quick line work model.

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DUCK

A standard balloon duck but with the nice touch of leaving out the legs/feet and adding a balloon spiral. Perfect for children to hold. This is great for line work but I have seen this sort of design lots of time before.

[attachment=0:2ikyaa47][/attachment]402-duck.jpg[/attachment:2ikyaa47]

GRASSHOPPER

A really good looking Grasshopper. The rear legs on my attempt should be angled upwards a little more. As will all insects with lots of legs the positioning of the limbs and feet is always a pain as they rarely stay in position.

The video instructions for this design is slightly frustrating as the video skips a section of the build. The three sets of legs magically find their own way attached to the body. Not a major issue for most people but if you are a beginner or lack experience I feel I should point this out.

Probably a model for a niche market but I do like the final design.

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LION

A really cute looking lion which is free standing. The face design has a lot of charm and brings the character to life. The way the lion's mane is really good. Very fast to create but looks a lot more complicated than it is.

Maybe a little complex for line work but a worthy addition to your portfolio.

[attachment=0:1arte89r][/attachment]410-lion.jpg[/attachment:1arte89r]

HIPPO

Similar to the Bull design using a heart for the front of the face. The eye section is slightly different. With all four legs joining together at the base this is perfect as a headband. Really quick to make. I like it.

[attachment=0:38njah3f][/attachment]404-hippo.jpg[/attachment:38njah3f]

MERMAID

There have been plenty of mermaid designs in the past. This one is effective and the hair structure is original. The rest is fairly standard.

[attachment=0:38s048j7][/attachment]460-mermaid.jpg[/attachment:38s048j7]

ROSE

I am always interested to see the many variations for balloon roses. This one is good and the red flower section is made from a single balloon (if you are lucky). My biggest complaint here is the instructions are incomplete. The video seems to jump a step - in fact a very important step. The rose itself due to the complexity could do with a video close-up.

I worked it out for myself in the end but the DVD is lacking in quality here.

[attachment=0:xsimeeyd][/attachment]463-rose.jpg[/attachment:xsimeeyd]

PENGUIN

A standard penguin design. There isn't anything new offered here except a few extra minutes making it than my usual penguin.

It's nice but the extra complexity doesn't warrant the additional time required to make it.

I will stick to my regular penguin.

[attachment=0:3fucccyk][/attachment]462-penguin.jpg[/attachment:3fucccyk]

SPIDER

An interesting spider using a heart for the body. Quick and easy to make. I think my legs are a little too long. The body design speeds up the usual 260Q version and holds the legs in position better.

Good for line work.

[attachment=0:2x4yxzgm][/attachment]464-spider.jpg[/attachment:2x4yxzgm]

PANDA

A very quick and easy Panda design using a single 260Q and a 321Q. However, the end result isn't particularly great but if you are stuck for time this will work.

One of the weakest designs on the DVD.

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SUMMARY

On the whole this DVD has a lovely collection of usable real-world models. The production quality of the video could be a little better but this is probably due to the age of the DVD. Well worth a look.