1st DIY Attempt

Okay. So the way I got into designer toys was through the Android Mini Series created by a guy named Andrew Bell. He partnered with Google to bring their Android logo into the 3D world. Originally made to give out to business partners and employees, the Android figures became loved by all Google fans. So they decided to make some for the the fans. The first series contained 16 different designs by several different artist. Anyways, Andrew created a blank version of the figure. In the biz they call it a DIY (Do It Yourself). This is basically a 3D canvas. And this will be my first attempt at a DIY using the Android Mini Series canvas.

Check Out The Sites Tab

I added a Sites tab! Under this tab you will find some of the blogs I FOLLOW! They are all great in their own right and it is a must to visit these guys. Toy Break has a weekly video show that discusses all sorts of toys and of course they do reviews and unboxings! Spanky Stokes reviews toys and usually gets scoops on soon to be released toys. He also does LIVE reviews, so follow that guy he's good peeps. Toys R Evil is another blog to check out Andy runs his site from Singapore but is always posting updates. He works hard to keep us all informed. The recent winner of the 2011 Designer Awards for best blog, Toys R Evil is a must read. These are some of the websites I have listed so click on the tab and see what else is out there. 

Uh...Oh...

So when I was pulling the plaster apart some pieces chipped off. I believe I didn't use enough release agent. And when I was pulling the figure from the plaster mold I accidentally broke off his leg. Nothing a little gorilla glue and sandable primer couldn't handle. I think he looks pretty bad ass in flat black. I eventually want to make resin versions of this guy, but need to make a mold that will actually work. I'm thinking of outsourcing the molding process to the professionals.

Time To Wait

The plaster is poured. Now it's time to wait. It will take around an hour before you can start taking it apart. You want to peel off the boarders carefully. Flip it so the plaster is on the counter. Then peel away the clay. Create a new boarder and spray a release agent or coat with vaseline and repeat for the backside of the figure.

Plaster Here We Come

Ready to pour the Plaster of Paris. Make sure there are no holes along your border, because then all the plaster will leak out. Also, you can notice I made holes in the clay. These are called keys. They are there so when I put both sides together they fit together a whole lot better. You also want to spray a release agent over your figure and clay so you can remove it from the plaster easily. You can also use vaseline, that works too.

Lay It Down!

Now the process really begins. You have to create a border around the figure with clay. I used Sculpey III Polymer Clay. Imagine this becoming the seem you see on figures, where two sides meet. Also create a pour area. As you can tell I have a rubber funnel on the top of his head. This way I can pour the liquid plastic or resin through there to fill the void left by the figure. If you have questions please leave them in the comments area and I will answer all questions.

Primed And Ready For Sanding

Finished all the detail. Simple design, but this is supposed to be a DIY (Do It Yourself) figure. So I wanted to keep it simple enough but have enough detail where an artist can really make it his or her own. He is baked and primed ready for reproduction. I used a Krylon Primer and did about two coats. Time to make a mold. Going to try Plaster of Paris just because i'm on a major budget and Plaster of Paris is really cheap. Wish me luck.