Pip the Otter Plush

Jen de Oliveira contacted me to create a plush to coincide with the release of her comic Pip & Pals #1 Otter Space! Pip is the main character so we worked together to make the cute plush version of this awesome otter.

Pip & Pals #1 Otter Space! just came out in July. Check it out through Random House Graphic.

 

Even though I often work with creative folks who can draw, it's different turning that into a working sketch that I will use as a direct reference to create the pattern shapes and prototype. So I still do my own sketch to get the feel of where the pieces will connect and how to make the pose right.

Jen can draw Pip doing anything, but we had to pick the main pose to create.  In this case, because Pip has a big head and body, but little legs, we went with a sitting pose. It was important to Jen that when you put Pip down he stays sitting instead of falling over, so I added plastic beans to his bottom. That along with the tail position makes sure that Pip sits when needed. 

 

We went back and form with a couple of prototypes until I got the look just right. The bandanna is custom printed fabric via spoonflower to make sure the color and stripe match the book.

 While there is currently only one Pip plushie, go check out the book and you can find all of Jen's awesome work here: jendeoart.com