The making of GIR

I try my best to keep my work as original as possible, but sometimes you get a burning whim to build a character from a favourite game or tv show. Last may I started doodling plans for a robot doll based on GIR from the infamous Invader Zim.

Here’s the making of a ball jointed, porcelain GIR complete with his doggie disguise.

I did some research into Invader Zim toys and merch. I found that before nickelodeon cancelled the show and before the toy company producing its toys went bust, they made the Mega GIR. The Mega GIR was a GIR statuette with no points of articulation (you could remove his head though) and came with a removable dog suit.

I wanted to try make something a little better than the Mega GIR.

The initial plans came complete with his green doggie disguise and twelve points of articulation.

I drew out a template to maintain GIRs’s height and proportions. I carve out a polystyrene core based on these measurements.

As my Bengal, Marcos, watches television I wrap the core in Japanese paper clay – namely La Doll.
La Doll gives a smooth finish when sanded and is non toxic, safe if you have a cat that likes to eat your stuff.

Our mental robot begins to take shape. This is the point I fall in love with him.

Here’s the complete La Doll clay GIR. I had to detach his eyes for the mould making process.

The plaster moulds for the head and eyes. I didn’t make the head mould too well and it leaked constantly through the casting process.

Cleaning up the wet porcelain cast of his head. Aww..

Soon, the madness caught on and I had to cast more than one. Doo-di-doo-doo.

The complete GIR cast in porcelain. Off to the kiln you go my little cupcake eater. Off to a place hotter than the fires of hell.

The fired and painted doll. Like old fashioned ball joint dolls, he’s held together by elastic string

Now,the suit! I admit, I’ve probably over complicated the suits design. I wanted the suit to be as faithful to the show as possible – including the bit where the suit turns into a hoodie when GIR partially takes it off.

The dog suit almost finished – complete with oversized zipper.