Balloon Twists- the Basics
Lock twist
The lock twist is the only twist needed to make a dog, You need to make 3 bubbles by
pinching and twisting them one after the other. Then "lock" the last two bubbles by
twisting them together
3 bubbles 2 and 3 on top twist and lock bubbles 2 and 3
Loop twist
This time you make 2 bubbles. The second bubble will be twisted in place.
twist a bubble then make a loop and twist this loop
Ear twist
A tiny loop twist. It is often used to make.... ears! Make a small bubble (1 inch for
instance) not too much inflated so that you can twist it..
slightly pull the bubble, and twist here is the ear
3 bubble body
The 3 bubble body will give volume to your creation. You can then go on with the
sculpture and make the legs of the pig.
3 bubbles lock twist the first two, and push the third in between. Push hard!
Pop twist
This is the best way to separate a balloon in several parts. Especially useful to make
legs and arms to one-balloon sculptures.
So get rid of your scissors!! Make 1 "knot" + 1 bubble + 1 "knot" and pop up the
bubble. The "knots" keep both parts inflated when the bubble pops.
The difficult point is to split the ear twist so as to make the so-called "knots".
here are all the bubbles, first 1 arm and 1ear twist, hold the ear bubble like this
twist to split the ear, here is the expected result, the middle bubble and another ear
lock the arms, blow up the middle bubble, here are the two arms
Tulip twist
The tulip twist is created as you start one sculpture.Tie the knot of the balloon and
push the knot inside the balloon. Then pinch the balloon taking great care of
grabbing the knot and twist. The knot will remain in the right part of the balloon as
long as you don't release the bubble.
hold the balloon like this, push the knot inside the balloon, pinch, grab the knot with
the right hand and twist
Hook or "S" twists
These twists will help you realize curved bubbles. Make a long tulip twist but take out
your finger while bending the bubble.
push the nozzle deep inside, pinch, grab the knot and twist, take out your finger,
here is the final result
For the "S" twist, make a long long tulip and change direction when taking out your
finger.
Proportions
You will quickly realize that the techniques are easy but the art of sculpting is
proportions. First you have to decide how much balloon must be kept un-inflated, and
then each bubble size must be carefully chosen. Some general points to help :
Estimate the sculpture complexity : the more bubbles, the less inflated must be the
balloon
Take notes. It takes only a few minutes now and will save you hours a few months
later...
Lock twist
The lock twist is the only twist needed to make a dog, You need to make 3 bubbles by
pinching and twisting them one after the other. Then "lock" the last two bubbles by
twisting them together
3 bubbles 2 and 3 on top twist and lock bubbles 2 and 3
Loop twist
This time you make 2 bubbles. The second bubble will be twisted in place.
twist a bubble then make a loop and twist this loop
Ear twist
A tiny loop twist. It is often used to make.... ears! Make a small bubble (1 inch for
instance) not too much inflated so that you can twist it..
slightly pull the bubble, and twist here is the ear
3 bubble body
The 3 bubble body will give volume to your creation. You can then go on with the
sculpture and make the legs of the pig.
3 bubbles lock twist the first two, and push the third in between. Push hard!
Pop twist
This is the best way to separate a balloon in several parts. Especially useful to make
legs and arms to one-balloon sculptures.
So get rid of your scissors!! Make 1 "knot" + 1 bubble + 1 "knot" and pop up the
bubble. The "knots" keep both parts inflated when the bubble pops.
The difficult point is to split the ear twist so as to make the so-called "knots".
here are all the bubbles, first 1 arm and 1ear twist, hold the ear bubble like this
twist to split the ear, here is the expected result, the middle bubble and another ear
lock the arms, blow up the middle bubble, here are the two arms
Tulip twist
The tulip twist is created as you start one sculpture.Tie the knot of the balloon and
push the knot inside the balloon. Then pinch the balloon taking great care of
grabbing the knot and twist. The knot will remain in the right part of the balloon as
long as you don't release the bubble.
hold the balloon like this, push the knot inside the balloon, pinch, grab the knot with
the right hand and twist
Hook or "S" twists
These twists will help you realize curved bubbles. Make a long tulip twist but take out
your finger while bending the bubble.
push the nozzle deep inside, pinch, grab the knot and twist, take out your finger,
here is the final result
For the "S" twist, make a long long tulip and change direction when taking out your
finger.
Proportions
You will quickly realize that the techniques are easy but the art of sculpting is
proportions. First you have to decide how much balloon must be kept un-inflated, and
then each bubble size must be carefully chosen. Some general points to help :
Estimate the sculpture complexity : the more bubbles, the less inflated must be the
balloon
Take notes. It takes only a few minutes now and will save you hours a few months
later...
