Featured Artists-Craig Burt Collection

Painting by Numbers

"Vatman"

This one is relatively simple; it's a rendition of the birth of Darth Vader. 

I don't think I'd seen any versions of the room or mechanics associated with the birth of Vader back in the days this was done. So, I went with a similar look to that had been seen in the original trilogy - Vader's meditation pod.

1. These were the start of the painting. They are sketches by Ralph McQuarrie of the scene in The Empire Strikes Back where the Emperor contacts Vader via a giant hologram.

2. Is an example of the meditation chamber used for the basis of the 'vat' design. My idea was to do something similar but smaller, more like a cocoon.

2a. Is a photo of a Bacta tank. This was also part of the design idea for my 'vat'. When sealed it was to be filled with Bacta like fluid - hence the slightly shiny wet look Vader has in the painting.

3. Are some of the sketches for the painting.

3a. With these you can get a better idea of the design for the 'vat' and how it functions. If I'm not too careful I can get carried away the detail of designing things - when I do. I almost did here - going into irrelevant details. You can see how it works; with the six interlocking panels locking the vat shut.

3b. Is a rough sketch to see how the final design would work in the painting.

4. Is the final painting. Looking at the various sketches I perhaps didn't choose the best composition, but I guess its' okay. I do like the design of the 'vat' though. I still like how the six interlocking panels were made to look like coffin lids. I was asked 'Why the green face?'. My interpretation was that the Emperor's hologram was full of greed for power, as in green with envy - for the power he will have with Vader. Made a change from the usual holo-blue anyway. His face looks suitably large, imposing and threatening. As you can see I used all my design credits up on the vat and left the background pretty plain - lazy me. 

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