Figure and Motion- Obi-wan vs. Darth Vader

This project is 18x24, India ink on watercolor paper. The project for my Figure and Motion class was to ink a scene from a movie/show.

I used the grid method with a reference photo for this piece. I sketched it out lightly in pencil, and then erased the grid marks and left the light sketch. I then put artist tape on the spots I wanted to stay pure white, such as where the lightsabers are. I then went in with a light mix of water and india ink, and slowly started building up the shading. I used pure india ink for Darth Vader, and used several layers to make his suit as dark as possible. I then spent time using various mixes of india ink and water to add different shades to the piece.

I spent about 2 hours inking this piece, but I wish I had had more time to layer the ink, as I think it would have turned out better.