August 22 - Baby Hearts

'Cause you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more

~ You'll Be In My Heart (Tarzan)
    Phil Collins (1999)

This baby heart technique is something I remembered learning ages ago, but a lot of techniques have little nuances to them - how tight you make certain things, etc. I feel like a baby one balloon heart is one of those techniques that I should keep fresh and get some reps in to practice making them great.

Antonio Bécares has a PDF that teaches it on his website (globosaltea.com) - which feels a bit retro at this point. But it fits, like a sweet fedora and a glass of red wine in an outdoor cafe. This one's good, not a lot of words but a ton of images.
(view other hearts)

---

Other balloons by and inspired by Antonio Bécares:

November 17 - Mouth

“A man should never miss an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.”

~ David Eddings The Treasured One

Antonio Bécares Rodríguez is one of those balloon creators that pushes things to the next level. He developed a new technique called the "Pinch Line Technique" where he easily creates a long row of pinch twists of any size.

Whenever someone comes up with a new technique like this, there is a moment of "how did I not think of this?" followed by "why would I ever do it differently again? I'm going to use this everywhere!". I was doing something similar previously with a row of double pinch twists, but not nearly as easily or reliably or with as much control as Antonio demonstrates.

Included on his DVD are a video series of images where he demonstrates the technique on a few different creations. This is one of those, a perfect gift to bring into the dentist office for my appointment.

I accidentally had them upside down for the pictures below ... which makes them look like they have a severe underbite.

---

Other balloon designs by or inspired by Antonio:

Show All

July 10 - Vespa

"So get on your bad motor scooter and ride
Up over to my place and stay all night
First thing in the morning we'll be feeling all right
So get on your bad motor scooter and ride"
~ Montrose Bad Motor Scooter

Of the three designs I recently received from Antonio Bécares Rodríguez, this Vespa was the one I was looking forward to building the most.  The level of detail that he is able to get with such a small structure is amazing.  I'm not so familiar with a Vespa other than knowing it's some brand of moped, but it looks very realistic to me.

This design is actually pretty quick to assemble, and could even be done in a quick linework situation.  The added complexities are only the time consumed with all the tiny lights and little accessories - they add so much to the look, but are not necessary for the form.

I didn't realize until now that I forgot the hubcaps on second (purple) build ...

Thank you for these, Antonio!

CATCH A RIIIIIDE!	All of the dangers of a motorcycle, None of the badass.
I don't want a pickle!

---

Other posts with Antonio's designs:


Show all

July 9 - Mini Heart

“The heart of a fool is in his mouth, but the mouth of a wise man is in his heart.”

~ Benjamin Franklin

Antonio Bécares Rodríguez is able to do some amazing things with his balloon creations.

He is a wizard at developing new techniques, he has a DVD dedicated to the "pinch line" technique, and though I didn't attend the Twist & Shout convention, I saw images of some mind boggling spiral twisted balloons from a class he taught there.

I've already mentioned the neat trick he included with the helicopter design to make the propeller spin, this balloon is exploring a technique of his for creating miniature hearts out of twister balloons.  There are bigger hearts available to for purchase, and it's possible to puff inflate those for use in some situations, but these will last much longer and stand up to a good bit of abuse.  Perfect for putting on a ring.  I found the best results from 260's, but tried each size balloon to help learn the technique.

'Cause if you liked it, then you shoulda put a ring on it!	Just look casual!    Your on my hair!    Cheese!
I'm going to throw my hat into the ring ... scratch that ... reverse it.

---

Other posts with Antonio's designs:


Show all

July 7 - Helicopter

What can one say about a country where a museum of science in a great city can feature an exhibit in which people fire machine guns from a helicopter at Vietnamese huts, with a light flashing when a hit is scored? What can one say about a country where such an idea can even be considered? You have to weep for this country.

~ Noam Chomsky

Antonio Bécares Rodríguez is an amazing Spanish balloon artist who pushes the art form to new heights.

When I attended Florida Super Jam last year, I knew only a handful of names in "balloon world" - I had no idea who Antonio was.  I did take note of someone carefully placing the final touches on an incredible balloon violin and feeling completely overwhelmed by the talent that was attending. It was a masterpiece, a balloon Stravinski.

Antonio is a true master and innovator, he consistently wins awards for his next level and awe inspiring balloon creations.  This helicopter is available on his website, Globos Altea.   There is a special effect in the way it is built in which you can make the propeller spin. It's not a straw or something you physically turn, it will actually whirl around fairly well.  A brilliant idea!

After a couple prototypes I thought the bulging cockpit looked like eyes, so I went with it.

(Thanks as well to Dan Staples for providing his one(-ish) balloon helicopter for Green.)

Huey	Baby Huey
"So how does this work?" "I'm a yellicopter!" "I'm a heliporker!" "Something's not quite right ..."