Surf - Design Planet Blurp No.17

Papercraft Models

There are several Japanese, European, North American and other world websites and blogs on the art of building Papercraft Models. Their subject matter and complexity vary greatly from Animals, Castles, Motorcycles, Gundam Figures, Airplanes and Custom Designer Toys. There are simple models for small children; and others that will take an adult many late hours - with a lot of extreme patience.

A Few Papercraft Websites:
http://www.yamaha-motor.co.jp/global/entertainment/papercraft/
http://cp.c-ij.com/europe/papercraft/nl/
http://gunime.blogspot.com/
http://papercraft-world.blogspot.com/
http://papercraftparadise.blogspot.com/
(just Google "Papercraft" for more)

I would like to share some notes on a couple that I have made:

Star Wars "Sandcrawler"

This papercraft model is about 3" x 6". I did this in November, 2007 over a couple of days.

The pattern was in color and was printed in color on white 67 lb. card stock. After cutting out the parts with an exacto knife and folding the parts accurately using a sharp edge metal picture frame, I then used Weldwood Carpenter's Wood Glue to bond the parts together.

Extras for effect: This model had eight tank type treads on the bottom. I mixed a little Burnt Umber and Payne's Grey Acrylic in water and applied a light wash two or three times over the lower sides and all over the bottom. I also spattered a thicker wash application over the tire treads. I touched up any white paper fold edges that showed with a fine point black marker. I applied matte acrylic clear varnish over the completed papercraft model. Now it just needs a couple of those little Sandcrawler guys placed around the model!

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"Gundam Model Head" Papercraft

This papercraft model is about 4" x 5" x 6". I completed this in August, 2006.

The pattern was in color and was printed in color on white 67 lb. card stock.

Strengthening a weak image: The image line work supplied was very fine (no strength) and the color supplied was also very weak (not my printer). So, I decided to paint all the colors by hand, while all the cutout card pieces were laying flat. I mixed the red, base grey, yellow, and black using Hyplar Acrylics. Once dry, I folded, and scored the back sides where necessary. I used carpenter's glue and some 3M clear double sided tape to bond and hold all together. The image's graphics are now a lot stronger. I decided also, to paint a camo effect for the grey helmet and face area (give it more character). After all parts were put together I did minor paint touch-up where required and then I brushed a seal of matte clear acrylic varnish over all.


I do have another Gundam papercraft model with the same size head and a complete body with weaponry, which makes it 36" tall. Hopefully I will find time to create it!

I surf many Papercraft sites each month looking for a variety of good or unusual papercraft and I download them into a file folder, which I later backup onto CD's. Usually Papercraft Models are saved as PDF or JPEG files.

Surf - Design Planet: Blurp No.1

Aloha & Happy New Year! January 2007
Please read my "Introduction Blurp" before proceeding, Mahalo (Thank You).

Surf - Design Planet:
Blurp No.1

I omitted any pictures in the introduction blurp, so as to not to distract you in the middle of reading through it all. Hope it wasn’t to bland. I’m certainly not a writer, but do want to share my thoughts! Lots of images will follow as we begin. Where do I start? I’m not sure! …I guess I’ll start with the “zooming” images above, but first a little more history and explanation:

As well as being interested in art, graphics and painting, I became interested in collecting some Coca-Cola and Pepsi Cans (steel and aluminum) back in the early 70’s in Canada. I saved the cans, after I drank them, family and friends saved them for me, and I traded and purchased a few cans or sets. I loved the special theme and arty cans. It didn’t matter what brand or from what country. My collection of hundreds came with me on moving to Hawaii.

Subject of Design Planet Blurp No. 1: “Japanese Bottle Cap Figures”

Later in the spring of 1999 I became aware, through eBay and contacts in Japan, of the huge Pepsi campaign themes that they had and were developing of Bottle Cap/Topper Figures. They came in concealed foil packages that were looped on to the head of Japanese Pepsi Bottles. Along with each theme of several bottle cap figures came other Pepsi items and special Pepsi cans. I’m not sure what came first, but other companies, then and now, have also produced many bottle cap sets based on Japanese anime characters (book and game themes), to fish, animals, Gundam characters, to American comic heroes, etc. Most of the actual figures and figure caps though, are actually manufactured in China (Oh! I didn’t know that!). The figure quality varies; some poor, some incredible. They are sold in little sealed (hidden figure) box packages, with attractive Japanese graphics, which are sold individually …so you don’t know which one you are getting. There is usually one or two limited production figures as well called “Secret” items.

Back to 1999: Pepsi Japan did have a great website, until a couple of years ago, which showed the ongoing history in great detail of these Pepsi campaigns. Luckily I captured them all to CD, which I will share the reference …somehow/sometime later. Sadly they have now changed and upgraded to a “hotter” flash type site similar to other Pepsi sites worldwide. Among the various campaigns were “Pepsiman” – various themes, “Snoopy” – various themes, and baseball champion “Ichiro.” Presently, like the soda/pop cans, I have now collected hundreds of these bottle cap figures and sets. The Pepsi Campaigns that especially attracted me at that time were:

“Star Wars Episode One” (EP1) – 1999

“Planet of the Apes – 2001

“Star Wars Episode Two – July 2002

“Star Wars Episode Three -

And the reason they were so attractive was that, along with collecting the large number of themed figure sets, you could also have a friend, person in Japan, send away for a “Stage” to display them. The stages were very large, expensive and very limited. They were mould created in beige plastic and theme custom designed to fit all the figures. They looked great! …but all the stages were plain beige …boring!

…then after completing my first couple of models in 2002, I got an idea! Why not use my painting talents (using Introduction Blurp, section A.) to completely model, paint and detail the Stages themselves. So I took time to research through the internet, movies and a couple of hardcover books (using Introduction Blurp, section B) the actual colors, texture and details of the stage themed item. I then, with reference and note sketches in front of me, hand painted and detailed the stages using Hyplar acrylic paints and other basic modeling texture grains over the next couple of months. The end result was incredible. Going the extra mile, united the whole concept beautifully and they are one of a kind.

“The detailed Bottle Cap Figures with the completed Stage” displayed, now tell a complete story.

Many other bottle cap figure themes do not have a “Stage.”
A new challenge/possibility would be to research each of these themed figure sets and create a stage for them – completely detailed and finished of course!

Surf - Design Planet: Introduction Blurp

Aloha & Welcome!
I hope you enjoy surfing my Design Planet ...a world of two and three dimensional design.

Surf - Design Planet: Introduction Blurp

I need to explain this as it relates to me personally in this opening introduction/post. Two and three dimensional design is HUGE. Design (old, new, good and bad) is all around us. It is part of everything in our world and beyond. My 'little design planet' is a present thought and design concept direction that I would like to personally explore further over the next few years, and share it with you along the way. Hopefully my design planet blurp will not only help my direction, but also be very helpful in your journey.

This new design direction is based on A & B below:

A. My past experiences as a graphic designer and fine artist.

Explanation of 'A':
I am, and have been a graphic and fine artist since the middle 1960's (The Beatles - 'Help'/'We Can Work It Out' Days). Up until 1994, I lived and worked in Toronto, Canada. I have always worked in two dimensions. Graphic flat art created way back when with Pelikan paints and brush on illustration board, then design markers, and then on 386 PC's and Apple computers. I completed my first fine art landscape painting in oils at the age of 12. I worked with Hyplar acrylic paints creating paintings in heavy acrylic during the 1970's. Subject matter ranged from abstract subjects such as "Crisis in Vietnam" to paintings created in the style of Canada's Group of Seven. I also experimented with black and white photography using Kodalith films and developers. I then worked during the 1980's creating environmental graphics and signing details for architects. Being influenced by the work of interior designers and architects around me, led me to create very detailed realistic art in ink, watercolor and acrylics of Canadian train stations and historical buildings. In 1990 I returned to school to study computer graphic communications and animation. In 1995, I moved to Honolulu, Hawaii where I continue to produce graphic communications and paint a little of this paradise. I am a past treasurer and president of The Association of Hawaii Artists. In July, 2007 I will be moving to British Columbia, Canada to further expand my possibilities and workspace.
You are welcome to visit my fine art painting site at http://www.surf-the-arts.com or http://localartspot.com (see links to right)

B. A present overflow of thoughts, ideas and design from a variety of world internet information that I daily experience.

Explanation of 'B':
Question: "What's Out There?"
Answer: "WOW" = World of Wonder & Tons of Things to work with!
People, Places, Present, Past, Cultures, War, Peace, Politics, Science & Technology, Creatures, Earth, Universe, God...


Question: "What's In Here?"
Answer: Above 'A.' - My Artistic Talent, Past/Present Experiences, Imagination, Curiosity, Influences, Photography, Art, Graphics, Mediums, Models, Art, Model & Hand Tools, Machines, Computer Software, World Wide Web, Movies, Music, Media, Games, Toys, Daily Items & Things, Collectibles...

Question: "What If?"
Answer: "Infinite Possibilities"
'A' tells me I have alot of artistic talent and that I have built up excellent art and design skills in two dimensional graphic design and the fine arts. But, 'A' also tells me that I could expand my creativity, example: build a model and hand paint it using my acrylic painting skills; or create an artistic work based on music, example: Rock & Roll, KISS, Pink Floyd, the sound of a radial saw; or use art tools and machines, example: to create a diorama or shadow box to display collectible toys. "WOW...Lots of What Ifs?

One or Two More Questions: "So I have this super idea, and I have the artistic talent and tools to make it, but

• What does a real one look like? ...I've never been to Japan;
• What color should it be? ...a beige or a grey, rock.;
• What kind of trees do they have there? ...short palms I think?;
• I forget, what does the KISS logo looks like?;
• Where can I find a Ghostbuster ambulance and a copy of the movie to help me create my Ghostbuster's shadowbox?
• What is the story behind this organic looking space vehicle?

Answer: 'A' & 'B' give me infinite possibilities in my art. "Not only can I use an item in 'A', or combine any items in 'A'("What's In Here?"); I can also use all of 'B' ("What's Out There?"). The incredible variety of world internet information can be used to expand my boundaries in a positive way, bringing exploration, creative challenge, detail, scale and purpose to my work, and grow my joy of learning something new.

End of Introduction, look for title:
Surf - Design Planet: Blurp No.1, January 2007.