Day of the Driving Test Art Ninja

I'm Ricky.

I live in Bristol.

I work as an animator.

Which is lucky, cos I love art.

I live for art. I even dream of art.

I draw...

..I paint...

..I make things!

Nailed it.

I hang out with my mates Gavin, Rich and Sarah.

SHE SCREAMS

Most importantly, I make ninja moves.

Some people call me the...

Today, I'll show you how to make a self-propelled sports car.

There's a photo holder that's a whole lot of fun.

And things get moving with this animation that's really fast.

Because today it's...

HE YAWNS

It's a new day.

I better get my ninja on.

And my clothes.

Huh?

HE GROANS

Kiai!

It's time to catch up on Big Al's Awesome Autos.

Best show ever!

This week on Big Al's Awesome Autos, America's baddest trucks.

Hoo-wee! Let's roll, y'all.

Monster cars are awesome, but you'd never catch me in one.

Driving is too scary.

My nan's been hassling me to learn to drive,

and I'm pretty sure she just wants me to drive her to bingo.

Late for bingo. Faster, faster!

HE SHUDDERS

I'm not ready to drive.

The only car I want is the Art Ninja elastic band car.

So, I've got a big piece of cardboard here.

I'm going to draw out the shapes

that are going to make the main part of my car.

I'm going to start by drawing the chassis,

which is the bit on the bottom that holds the car together.

I'm going to leave a little gap here.

You'll see why later.

That's the chassis there.

This is the side of the car.

And I'm going to need another one of these exactly the same.

I need to cut these out and I'm going to use ninja skills.

There we go. And I'm going to concentrate on the chassis.

So, I've got a paperclip that I've cut in half.

You'll need to get an adult to help you do this.

And then using some modelling clay.

I'm going to poke it through about there.

And then using a chopping board to protect the surface,

I'm going to bend the paperclip at a right angle.

There we go. And I've got a little bit of cards, and I'm going to cover

it in strong glue, and put it over the sharp bits.

I've got an elastic band.

And I'm going to tie it through the paperclip.

This will make part of the motor later.

Using some masking tape,

I'm going to stick on the sides to the bottom of the car.

I've got a long piece of thin card here,

and this is going to be the top of my car.

I'm going to fold this piece over,

and I'm going to tape it down with some masking tape.

I'm folding this card to match the sides that I've made.

You might want to score these lines by running blunt scissors over them

so they're easier to fold.

I'm going to stick these on with a bit of masking tape.

I'm leaving this bit up here,

so I can get my hand inside to reset the elastic band.

Right, now I've got four straws.

Two of these are going to hold the wheels in place.

This one's going to slip just in nicely there.

And these extra straws are going to hold up my spoiler at the back.

Now I'm just going to chop this little bit out here.

I've sketched on a fun, fiery design

and I'm going to start by painting the flames red.

I'm going to mix a little bit of yellow in.

Let's only blend to yellow in the middle of the flame.

I'm going to move on to add some silver.

And I'm going to paint around the bottom bit here.

It's kind of like a bumper.

And now a British racing green.

You can paint your car any colour you like.

I'm going to put that to one side while I make the wheels.

So, I've cut out some circles of card that I've stuck together

to make a nice, thick wheel.

And I'm going to cut the top off of a balloon to create a really grippy

tyre.

And stretch the balloon over the wheel.

I'm going to use the end of a skewer and just poke a hole in the middle.

Now, for a car, I'm going to need four of these,

so I'm going to use some ninja skills.

Oh, yes, ninja skills!

Got some more skewers here.

I'm going to slide them through the straws,

and using some strong glue, I'm going to stick on my wheels.

And the same for the back.

I'm just going to turn it upside down, and I'm going to add a cable

tie to the back axle.

That's this bit here.

You can buy cable ties from loads of shops.

Pull it really, really tight until it doesn't slip.

I'm going to cut off the excess.

And this little bit is what I'll click the elastic band onto.

And when it's wound up, it will make the car move.

Time to add some finishing touches.

I've got some bits of silver card to make the windows

and some sick alloys.

And finally two headlights and a ninja number plate.

There you go.

Sick wheels!

ENGINE REVS

You don't have to make a car like this.

You could make a pick-up truck.

HONKING

Or even a cool camper van.

HONKING

Right, let's take it for a spin.

So, I'm going to reach in, grab my elastic band,

and hook it over the cable tie.

Wrap it around...

..hold it tight...

..let it fly.

ZOOMING

CRASHING

KNOCKING

Oh, no!

I bet it's Nan trying to get me to take those driving lessons again.

I'm pleased you're not my nan. She's on asked me to learn to drive.

Yeah, it's time to grow up, Ricks.

Be mature like me.

You SHOULD learn to drive.

Then you can give me a lift to the library.

Why do you want to go to the library?

Oh, I left a whoopie cushion there.

Don't worry, though, I've got a spare.

Sit down, mate, you look exhausted.

FART NOISE

HE LAUGHS

Very mature.

I need some space.

Everybody's trying to get me on the move today.

This picture's already moving.

That's because it's animated.

Hey, guys, what's in the box?

What's this?

Put it on.

Whoa!

ENGINE REVS

Don't worry, mate, it's just an animation.

So, to make this awesome, rip-roaring animation, you'll need

an old helmet or hat, some old bike handles,

or something that can pass for bike handles,

and a tablet with Animation app installed.

Gnarly to the max.

And you can put it together in just three ninja moves.

Ninja move number one.

The thing that really makes animation is the props.

I've made mine by sticking the handles to the side of an old

bike helmet.

Now, for the wheel, you can use anything that's round.

Ninja move number two.

Set up your tablet device and get ready to shoot.

And I'm remembering to take a shot every time the human moped

and the rider moves along.

Ninja move number three.

I'm going to need some realistic sounds.

So remembering the Highway Code, I'm going to go and record some.

I just have to wait for a moped or a motorbike to come along.

I think it's time to take a look at our mini masterpiece.

ENGINE REVS

TYRES SQUEAL

THEY LAUGH

-What did you think, Ella?

-Gnarly to the max.

Today's contestant...

..Ricky Martin.

I've had a brilliant idea.

A quiz to help you pass your driving theory test.

That actually is quite a good idea.

Thanks, mate.

Here's your buzzer.

First question.

What is the top speed you should go past a turkey farm at night

in February?

Well, surely that depends on...

No, I'm sorry, the answer I was looking for is 30mph.

Next question.

What is the best car ever?

A Ferrari, a Lamborghini, or something else?

-A Ferrari.

-No.

The best car ever is my car, Susan.

Gav, are you sure these are real questions?

Don't question the quizmaster.

And the final question for which the loser makes a cup of tea,

what should you do before pulling out onto a road?

I know this. Mirror, signal, manoeuvre.

Oh, I'm sorry, you didn't press the buzzer.

The answer is mirror, signal, manoeuvre.

I win! Mine's milk and no sugar, please.

And a biscuit.

Gav's quiz had quite a few holes in it.

Just like these biscuits.

An artist who was famous for using holes in her work is the sculptor

Dame Barbara Hepworth.

Good afternoon, Ricky.

Hey, Dame Barbara.

I was the artist famed for bringing the hole to British sculpture.

Here's one of my most celebrated pieces now.

In my later life, I moved to St Ives in Cornwall,

where I could work outside having open air and space to inspire me.

I could do with a trip to St Ives to get away from all these people

here hassling me about my driving test.

It's a good skill to have, Ricky.

Don't you start as well!

I'd, erm... I'd better be off now.

Bye, then.

Dame Barbara has given me a great idea for a mini sculpture with

a surprise purpose.

So, I've got myself a bottle here.

And using a funnel I'm going to pop in some plaster of Paris.

I'm going to fill the bottle about two thirds of the way up.

You can buy plaster of Paris from your local art shop.

There we go.

It's looking good.

Now, I'm going to add some water and I'm going to carefully pour it in.

You'll need to repeat instructions the side of your plaster of Paris

mix to get the right consistency.

And put the lid back on and give it a good shake to mix it.

Well, it sounds good.

Got myself a balloon here. Just going to get the lid off ready.

And I'm going to blow it up a bit.

Then I'm going to slip that over the top of my bottle.

And then turn it upside down and pour in the plaster of Paris.

POPPING

Good noise.

POPPING

I'm making sure that I get as much plaster of Paris as I can

inside the balloon.

I'm working quickly, as I don't want it to set inside the bottle.

There we go. And we carefully take the end of the balloon off.

Let the air out.

HISSING

There we go. Tie a knot in the balloon.

So, leave it to one side, so it can start setting.

Got myself a little bit of wire here,

and I'm going to bend the top into a triangle.

And then, I'm going to bend a slightly larger triangle around the

outside of that.

And this is so it can hold a picture between the two pieces of wire.

Now, I'm going to bring my balloon back,

and start sculpting it into the shape that I want.

And I'm going for a shape inspired by Hepworth.

I'm working my thumb and forefinger into the middle to create that

Barbara Hepworth hole.

Before the plaster completely sets, I'm going to pierce the balloon

and stick in my bit of wire.

I can feel that it's nearly set.

If you're doing this at home,

you need make sure that you put some paper down to protect your table.

Here we go. And now my plaster of Paris is set.

It's time to cut off the balloon.

So, I'm just going to snip off the top of it here.

Just going to peel the balloon back from around it,

being really careful not to damage my sculpture.

Look at that!

There you are.

And these are perfect for photographs.

And once yours is finished...

..you can even...

decorate them!

PHONE RINGS Oh, no, I bet that's mum.

She's been trying to get me to learn to drive too.

Hi, Ricky, it's your mum.

Now, I know my little poppet is scared of learning to drive,

but you really must learn.

I need a lift to my life drawing class.

Your dad's agreed to pose again.

There are far nicer sights coming up before then, though.

Like this wall hanger that's a little alien.

Fun thing for fidgets that won't get you in the spin.

And you finally get motoring with some really fast art.

Anyway, don't worry, we'll get you driving.

I'm sending your dad round to help.

Bye!

I just wish people would stop talking to me about driving.

-Ricky, Ricky, Ricky!

-It's the ninja apprentices!

What can you make with a magnifying glass?

Oh, I have to look into that.

Aw!

-Hi, Ricky.

-Hey, it's Greg James from The Playlist and Radio 1.

I was wondering whether or not you'd be able to make some art with a hat

-like this?

-I'm sorry, I can't think of anything off the top of my head.

Hey, what's this guy got?

Ricky, can you make art with food colouring?

Now, that's a tasty idea.

-I choose you.

-Yay!

-So, what's your name, dude?

-Asa.

-And where are you from?

-Cheshire.

Oh, cool!

Well, it's a great suggestion, let me just go grab my things.

OK, dude, I'm back and I've got myself a bowl of water.

Let's see, the food colouring, some straws,

an old pillowcase, and some elastic bands.

-Intrigued?

-Yeah.

So, I'm just going to open this up

and I'm going to cut the front of it.

Make sure you use an old pillowcase if you're going to do this.

Or you can use an old piece of material.

So, you've got some artwork behind you.

This is the Queen's birthday card when she turned 90.

-That's the Queen's birthday card?

-Yes.

-Then why have you got it?

I was one of the winners.

Oh, you won a competition to design it?

Well done, mate, that's awesome!

Right, I'm going to fold the material in half,

because I want my picture to be symmetrical.

So, everything I draw on this side will be the same on

the other side.

Now, I'm going to concertina it following my pencil guides.

All right, now I'm going to grab an elastic band.

I'm putting these on tightly.

The elastic bands will help keep the colours separate.

If you were making a piece of art with food colouring,

-what would you do?

-I think I do a space picture.

Oh, well this might have a little spacey vibe too.

Now I'm going to concertina along the other line

and I'm going to put elastic band around that too.

And I'm going to put elastic bands

at equal intervals all the way along it.

I need this to be wet, so I'm going to dip it in some water.

And then wring it out without breaking the bands.

And now, I get to crack on with the food colouring.

I'm going to start with the green.

A little trick for you to get it on the material

is to put a straw in like that,

put your finger over the top, so it creates a suction,

and then take it out and it works like a pipette.

Now, if you're doing this at home,

make sure you put a tray down or some newspaper to protect

the surfaces. And maybe put on an old shirt,

so it doesn't stain your clothes.

It's quite messy.

I'm using different straws for each colour, so they don't get mixed up.

What's your favourite colour, Asa?

Yellow.

That's my favourite colour too!

The material will stay white where the elastic bands are.

The technique is called tie-dye.

On the end bit, I'm going to do a mix of colours.

And some black for the eye.

OK, Asa, I could wait for that to dry,

but I'm going to use my ninja skills.

There we go.

Lovely and dry.

Now I can cut off the elastic bands.

So, check out my tie-dye alien wall hanger.

It looks really cool.

What would you score it?

I'll score it a ten.

Oh, top score!

Thanks, Asa, it was a great suggestion.

I'm going to go hang it up.

-Bye-bye.

-Bye, Ricky.

I've attached a string and strips of card to each end

to help hang it on the wall.

KNOCKING

Gav, no.

-Oh, hi, Ricky's dad.

-Hi, Gavster.

I've been sent by Ricky's mum to get him out driving on the road.

Is he in?

HE MOUTHS

-Yes.

-No!

Don't make me do it. It's dangerous out there.

Don't worry, Ricky, I was round Gav's the other night and we were

playing Rocket Racing F1 3000...

What? Why were you over Gav's?

It was mega laughs.

BOTH: Yay!

Anyway, I had a great idea.

Why don't we give you a less scary way to learn how to drive?

-Like how?

-On the simulator?

Where exactly are we going to get ourselves a simulator?

Right here.

As if.

Here's a quick art tip of how to draw a landscape

with a vanishing point.

So, we're going to start with a horizon.

That's just a straight line,

and I'm going to do it about two thirds up my page.

I'm going to draw a little dot for my vanishing point.

And a couple of guide dots here

that I'm going to join up to make my road disappear into the distance.

Now, some road lines.

And these are going to get smaller as my road goes into the distance.

On the side of the road, I'm going to add some cacti.

I feel like this could be a cool desert scene.

Cacti are already like little characters.

Their arms in the air like this.

Going to draw some nice big ones down here in the foreground,

and they're going to get smaller as they move into the distance.

They're quite fun to draw.

I'm going to draw some mountains along the horizon.

And they're going to be nice and rocky.

I'm going to bring them down when I get to the end of my road,

and back up when I get to the other side.

Finally, going to add a sun in the sky.

There we go. There's a quick art tip of how to draw a landscape...

..with a vanishing point.

ENGINE REVS

TYRES SQUEAL

Well, thank you very much!

HONKING

-What's this?

-It's a steering wheel.

Surely you know what that is. Pop in.

Right, I've got my favourite driving DVD all set up,

so all you need to do is take it steady

and you'll be ready for the real thing.

OK, you're pulling off.

Well, you haven't even gotten your seat belts on yet!

That's a fail straightaway.

Right.

Now, change gear.

GEARS GRIND

Not too fast.

HONKING

You're going too fast, Ricky.

Mind that puddle.

CRASHING

I need some Zen.

Om...

Greetings, dude. No way.

Whoa!

I'm OK, man.

Greetings, Grand Master.

Lesson number 989 to enlightenment.

Revolving structure of much distraction.

A fidget spinner.

Let's do it.

Grab some thin strips of card.

Add some double-sided sticky tape to the ends.

Fold the strips in half, sticking the ends together.

Cut the sticky ends into points, man.

And a slide them through the folded end,

so they connect together.

Cool, dude.

Get some small circles of card.

Use a pencil and modelling clay to pierce a hole through the middle.

Bull's-eye!

Cut a cocktail stick using scissors,

and push it through one of the card circles.

Push it through the spinner and put a circle on the other side.

Hold it in place with strong glue, dudes.

Let it dry.

Let it spin.

Yeah!

So spinny.

Whoa!

Far out.

Lesson number 989 complete.

You try, dude.

Wow, thanks, Grand Master.

I am enlightened and calm.

You are most welcome.

Son, I think you're ready,

which is good because I booked your driving test.

-For when?

-Now.

-But I'm nowhere near ready.

Absolutely ready, you're the Art Ninja. Come on, let's go.

Oh, please don't make me do it, I beg you.

I just want my skateboard.

Come on, Ricks. You'll be fine. What's the worst that can happen?

Mirror, signal, manoeuvre.

Come on, Ricky, or we'll never get there.

Mirror, signal, manoeuvre, don't panic. It's OK.

-Right. Sorry, I mean left.

-Whoa, whoa, whoa.

Stop, stop here, I need to go slower.

Slower, slower, can we go slower?

Slower?

We've just been overtaken by a tree.

-Do you want to get out and walk?

-Well, it'd be quicker.

There!

CRASHING

Oh, great.

-Is this it?

-Yeah.

The West Country Test Centre.

The best in the West for your test.

I took my driving test here...

..nine times.

Hm... Strange, looks a bit...

..shut.

Sorry, we are closed.

Have been for years.

Carrots?

Carrots?

Awesome! I mean, awesomely bad luck.

Spot on for a bit of rad boarding, though.

Weaving in and out of the cones, a bit of 4-wheel skills.

I'm down with that.

I've got no idea what you're talking about.

Come on, dude. I mean, Dad.

Ninja skills!

Sorry we're late, mate. We got really lost.

A nice man did give us directions, though.

-How did the test go?

-Brilliantly, as in, it didn't happen.

And some even better news, I've got all the gear and a great idea.

So, I guess it's time to get our ninja on.

ENGINE REVS

HONKING

Art Ninja!

HONKING Strike a pose.

-ALL:

-Art Ninja!

-Yeah.

OK, guys, what do you think we're going to make?

I'll give you a clue. It involves a formula.

I've never really been very good at maths.

Come on, let's get motoring.

First, I'm painting some road markings.

-I'll line those up, you go grab some more.

-Yeah?

-Oh.

-Where do you want these?

-Aligned down either side.

This one here.

So, Gavin, grab the knobbly bit and point it into the middle.

Right, yeah. Like big building blocks.

Any ideas what it is yet?

-Give me a sign.

-I'll give you a signed.

Quiz time, who can name these traffic signs?

Oh, oh, oh, stuntman ahead!

BUZZER

Oh, caution, giant toad!

BUZZER

Back to the olden days!

BUZZER

I'm going to have to stop you there and get everybody back on track.

Come on.

Now, I would tell you what it is, but it would be a spoiler.

And that, my ninja buddies, is looking pretty good.

I still can't see what it is, though.

That's because there's one important thing missing.

Oh, yeah, what's that?

Dad's car.

TYRES SQUEAL

Dad, slow down!

Please slow down!

Please!

Help!

HE SCREAMS

HE GROANS

Wow, mate, it looks epic.

HE SIGHS

I think I'll skateboard home, driving is not for me.

Phew!

I'm so glad the driving test centre turned out to be closed.

And after dad's driving,

I'm definitely sticking with skateboarding.

PHONE RINGS

Hey, Ricky. It's me, Big Al.

We need a stunt driver for the show,

and your Nana said you'd be up for it.

Apparently you just love living dangerously.

See y'all in the morning.

Hoo-wee!

HE SCREAMS

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