Since last night’s ink card (see it here!) was a bit on the dark side, both figuratively and literally, I thought I’d something different with today’s ink card.

Today’s ink is of “The Spaniard”, the temporary nickname for the character of Maximus in the film Gladiator. I chose it not only because I really like that movie (really really), but it posed a bit of challenge in texture and shadow.

The crosshatched lines, unlike a wash or a painting, have to be both the texture and the shadows of a piece. With the metal, especially with a metal like the helmet that isn’t really smooth, presents a challenge. How do you show the shadow without making it look like a texture, and vice versa?

I’m not sure I answered the question with the art that I did, but I still think it came out okay. Of course, I am open to opinions, so please let me know what you think.


Russell Dickerson

Russell Dickerson has been a lot of things over many years. Author, artist, designer, winner of awards and recognition, pursuer of the truth, leader of the earth after armageddon.