The world of Pixi

We will now detail the five phases involved in the process of creating a Pixi figurine: sculpting, molding, casting, painting, and boxing.

Sculpting

Sculpting is the very essence of each figurine. Behind every creation lies a meticulous process—a choreography of actions requiring infinite patience and an unfailing attention to detail. Talented artists devote countless hours to bringing these little marvels to life, beginning with the engraving phase, during which every line is carefully traced to shape even the smallest detail.

The next step, modelling, demands remarkable manual skill. The sculptors’ expert hands shape each contour and each expression with precision, giving every figurine its unique character. Then comes the carving phase, where sculptors, armed with specialized tools, refine the material, sculpting it delicately to achieve perfect proportions.

Sanding

But the work does not end there. Delicate and meticulous sanding completes each surface, removing imperfections and refining the details. Corrections are made with care, every flaw adjusted to achieve the long-sought perfection. Finally, the finishing touches elevate the piece, adding the final notes of authenticity and character before the maker’s mark is placed beneath the base, thus sealing the identity of each Pixi.

Alexis Poliakoff, an emblematic figure of the Pixi style, embodies this art with unparalleled mastery. Through his iconic creations, he brought legendary characters to life—paper heroes who became icons thanks to his artistic genius. The first collections of civilian figurines and licensed works, such as Tintin and Babar, Mickey Mouse, and Blake and Mortimer, bear witness to his exceptional talent.

The inimitable style of Pixi figurines, recognizable among thousands, lies in their ability to capture the very essence of the characters through a naïve and dreamlike aesthetic. The elongated, stylized contours of the early Tintin collections reflect this indelible artistic imprint, captivating art lovers and collectors worldwide.

Molding

Molding is a crucial step that follows the creation of the prototype by the sculptors. At this stage, the mold-makers step in to create the necessary molds, using a subtle combination of technical expertise and artisanal know-how.

Two types of molds are generally produced: the gravity mold and the centrifugal mold. Gravity molds, also referred to as prototype molds, are made from liquid elastomers, allowing the first Pixi models to be created for the approval phase. These molds can also be used for small production runs, typically limited to around 100 pieces.

Originally, centrifugal molds were made of vulcanized rubber, produced in large presses, which gave the workshops their distinctive atmosphere, filled with the characteristic smell of rubber. However, with the evolution of techniques and materials, rubber has gradually been replaced by elastomers, offering a more modern and efficient alternative. These molds usually take the form of flat discs, carefully crafted to ensure precise reproduction of every detail of the figurine.

The art of molding lies in the precise positioning of the piece within the mold, as well as in the meticulous design of the metal inlets and the vents that allow gases to escape during the casting process. Every movement is calculated, and every detail is considered to ensure faithful and high-quality reproduction of the original figurine.

The Foundry

The foundry is far more than just a simple room within the workshop. It is a specially designed space, equipped with sophisticated ventilation and extraction systems—a spotless area, almost like an operating theatre, where meticulous order reigns and every surface is cleaned with the utmost care each day. This is where the crucibles reside, those immense vessels in which metals are brought to fusion, ready to be transformed into figurines.

Tin, bismuth, antimony, silver, and copper blend together in a complex chemical dance, allowing countless alloys to be created to suit the unique morphology of each figurine. Before each casting, the two parts of the mold are delicately dusted with talcum powder—an essential precaution to ensure the perfect release of the cooled metal and preserve every detail of the original sculpture.

In gravity casting, the mold simply rests on a workbench, held firmly in place by small clamps, while the molten metal is gently poured from above using a carefully handled ladle. In centrifugal casting, however, the molds are meticulously placed inside a centrifuge, which, through centrifugal force, propels the molten metal into every corner of the mold, ensuring absolute precision in reproducing even the finest details.

The caster’s skill is revealed through the meticulous selection of various production parameters: the precise composition of the alloy, the exact temperature of the metal, the carefully applied pressure on the mold, and—when working with centrifugal casting—the precisely adjusted speed and direction of the mold’s rotation. Before demolding, it is necessary to wait a variable amount of time, ranging from a few minutes to sometimes more than an hour, depending on the size and complexity of the figurine, in order to guarantee optimal cooling and perfect solidification of the metal.

Painting

Colour represents far more than a simple touch of pigment. Within the workshop, it is a true art form in itself, where each shade is meticulously prepared from a rich palette of twelve base colours and precisely measured pigments, with the accuracy of a watchmaker—down to a tenth of a gram.

The painters strive to reproduce the original colours with striking fidelity, whether it means recreating the shimmering fabrics of fashion collections or the vibrant tones of comic book panels. Every detail matters; every nuance is carefully examined to capture the very essence of each character.

Throughout the decorating process, each Pixi is accompanied by its own paint sheet—a valuable document detailing the precise order in which each colour must be applied, from lightest to darkest, as well as the application and drying times required for every layer. This sheet becomes an essential reference for Pixi’s repair service, allowing the painter to recover the exact shade needed to restore a damaged figurine and thus preserve the artistic integrity of each piece.

The background colours, like a veil enveloping the figurine, are applied with an airbrush in a paint booth, ensuring uniform coverage and a solid base for the later layers. But it is in the meticulous hand-painting that each Pixi truly comes to life. The painters use brushes of various sizes, suited to the fineness of each detail, to add the finishing touches to every creation.

After each application of a new colour, the figurine is carefully placed in an oven, where it undergoes a baking process that gives it its final glossy appearance, a distinctive hallmark of Pixis. It is there that each colour comes to life, each detail is enhanced, and the entire piece reveals all its splendour and magnificence.

Certification

The box, clad in a vibrant red and adorned with the iconic black-and-white logo, is a masterpiece in its own right. The meticulous choice of the red colour is no coincidence; it carries strong symbolism, eloquently recalling the boxes that once held traditional lead soldiers. Inside, the figurines—like precious treasures—are delicately wrapped in bubble paper, ready to be revealed in all their splendour.

The Pixi range of boxes includes around ten different formats, each carefully designed to showcase and protect these precious creations. Even those without an interior decoration are worthy of being kept, as they form an integral part of each piece’s history.

But that is not all: each figurine is also accompanied by its certificate of authenticity, a valuable document attesting to its history and worth. Personalized and manually numbered in either Arabic or Roman numerals, these certificates stand as true witnesses to the authenticity and provenance of each figurine.

The certificates restore the figurine to its context, providing valuable information such as the year of creation, the name of the creator—sometimes even individually signed, the highest distinction—the title of the album from which the figurine originates, as well as a detailed description of the piece. Sometimes, details regarding the edition are also included, offering a complete insight into the rarity of the figurine.

To seal the authenticity of each certificate, an embossed stamp is applied, ensuring its validity and reliability. These certificates, sometimes even engraved on metal, hold crucial importance in determining the value of a figurine.