How to Draw GIR
Use the video and step-by-step drawing instructions below to learn how to draw GIR from Nickelodeon's Invader Zim. A new cartoon drawing tutorial is uploaded every week, so stay tooned!
Intro: Start off with a pencil sketch. In the beginning stages, don’t press down too hard. Use light, smooth strokes for sketching.
Step 1: Start by drawing a big rectangle near the top half of the page. The rectangle should be oriented slightly diagonally, and the sides should be bulging out a bit. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It’s just a guide for GIR’s head.
Step 2: Next, draw two intersecting lines across the rectangle, one vertical and one horizontal. The vertical line should be close to the right side, while the horizontal line should be closer to the top. These will be construction lines that will help you place GIR's facial features later on.
Step 3: On the left side of the vertical construction line and right under the horizontal construction line, draw a big circle for the left eye. Draw a slightly smaller oval on the right side of the vertical line that extends outside of the rectangle for GIR's other eye.
Step 4: Under GIR's head, draw a shape similar to a rectangle with the top missing as a guide for the body.
Step 5: Draw a small U-shaped arc inside the body as a guide for GIR's hands. Under the body, draw two more U-shaped arcs as guides for GIR's feet.
Step 6: That’s it for the initial sketch! You have the basic GIR shape. Now go in and tighten your drawing. From this point on, press harder with your pencil in order to get darker lines and a more defined sketch.
Step 7: Darken the shape of GIR's eyes. Inside each eye draw a small dot for his pupils. Place the pupils on opposite sides of his eyes to give him a blank stare.
Step 8: Use the original rectangle shape as a guide to draw GIR's head. Notice that the left and right side of the head extends outwards more.
Step 9: Draw a couple of long lines on top of the head for GIR's ears. The ear on the right should be above the vertical construction line.
Step 10: Use the vertical construction line as a guide to draw the stitching on GIR's face. Before you get to the bottom, draw a small triangle-like shape for GIR's nose. Below the head, draw a small rectangle-like shape for GIR's tongue.
Step 11: Inside the body, draw the zipper on GIR's costume as a series of angled lines and zig-zag lines. Use the image above for further reference.
Step 12: Use the initial rectangle shape as a guide to draw GIR's body. The top of his body should go inward toward the zipper. On the lower left side of the body, draw a couple of lines that come to a point for the tail.
Step 13: Darken the U-shaped arcs to create GIR's arms and feet. Close the top portion of the arm with a line and draw a few smaller lines on top for the stitching.
Step 14: That’s it! You now have a nice sketch of GIR from Invader Zim. You can stop at this quick drawing for a rough, sketchy look, or continue to the step below to go for a more finished look.
Step 15: For a more finished, inked look, carefully draw over the final sketch lines with a pen or marker. Wait for any ink to dry, and then erase your pencil marks. You now have a finished inked drawing of a GIR! You can stop here or go to the final step to complete your GIR drawing in its entirety.
Final Step: For a completely finished GIR drawing, you have to color it. You can use anything you want: markers, color pencils or even crayons! Color GIR's ears arm, feet and tail black. The main part of GIR's body is light green. His tongue is red, and the zipper is gray. That’s it! You now have a completed drawing of a GIR from Nickelodeon’s Invader Zim.