October 2024 marks the 60th Anniversary of Brian May’s famous self created instrument, The Red Special.
This legendary guitar made all those years ago by Brian and his father Harold has gone off to achieve remarkable musical interludes and stunning achievements.
In honour of the anniversary, I thought it proper to share these recent photographs of my painted paper model of the Red Special that I made back in 1992.
Yes, paper!
See the images here for a closer look at this unique creation.
This 24 inch tall model is made entirely out of painted paper and cardstock, with a few exceptions…such as the strings and small leather strap.
Loaded with details, it includes white ‘bandages’ holding the worn trim on as well as the beloved ‘wear spot’ on the guitars back.I
At the time had made this, I had just become aware of Brian’s works and felt motivated to make a model to use as a reference for my artwork.
The guitar is very much a character in itself, and I wanted my drawings to reflect this with as accurate a representation as I could do at the time.
I also built a AC30 Vox amp out of painted cardboard to match the guitar…which I also still have stored away.
This fragile paper creation has held up rather well over the last 30+ years…as has the REAL Red Special and her owner!
Here’s to many more years of beautiful music from them both…
Jenn Waitt (with thanks)
Check out: jennwaittartwork
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Some info about my model that may enhance the viewing of the photos for readers –
The ‘guitar’ is made out of painted paper and card stock, except for the tremolo arm which is a bent piece of electrical wire.
The other exceptions are the strings and the small leather strap with its plastic ‘finger slide’.
I made this back in 1992 by first hand drawing the guitar and its pieces on paper and cardstock using a few photographs of the instrument as a visual reference.
The pieces were then carefully cut out and then hand painted with custom mixed paints to achieve the Special’s unique colour.
Once this was complete, the pieces were then assembled and glued together forming the finished model.
I have kept this fragile model carefully stored for all of these years, and now it gets to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the REAL Red Special in style!
JENN WAITT
