Ever wanted to draw Star Wars characters just like the professional comic book artists? In this step-by-step series, Star Wars artists and illustrators show you how to draw some of the most beloved and memorable characters in the saga. So get your pencils and paper ready!
To show you how to draw a gruesome Gamorrean Guard, Star Wars illustrator Cynthia Cummens explains her easy drawing steps with examples below.
Steps 1-8 are to be drawn lightly with a pencil. No pen, no dark lines. Finished lines and details will come at the end.
Step One:
Begin with drawing the overall shape of the head, which is somewhat like a kidney bean. Since being a Gamorrean Guard requires more brawn than brain, the top of the head is narrower than the bottom (jaw). Lightly draw 2 horizontal lines to indicate the placement of the eyes and bottom of the nose. Draw a vertical line through the center of the head and make sure it’s slightly offer center (to the right), since this will be a 3/4 view. (Tip: these lines are just temporary — keep them light as you will be erasing them later).
Step Two:
Indicate where you want to place the horns with two lightly drawn lines. Draw a “V” shape for the front of helmet. Define the chin with a wide arc. Draw a large curved line to indicate where the mouth will be.
Step Three:
The nose is easy — just draw a wide pig’s nose, placing the bottom of the nose on the line you drew in Step 1 (Tip: you’ll see a little more of the left side of the nose than the right). Remember to place the shapes along the vertical line to place the features into proper 3/4 view. Draw the bridge of the nose just under horizontal eye line. For the lower lip, draw a round “W” shape extended well past the outside edges of the nose.
Step Four:
The Gamorrean Guards have beady eyes, so draw small circles on the line you drew in Step 1 (don’t forget to add the pupil either now or later when you’re adding detail). Give expression to the face by overlapping the eyes with the brow (you’ll later add the upper and lower lids). Draw the upper lip, making it wider than the lower lip. Leave space for the fangs!
Step Five:
Draw two horns where you drew the lines in Step 2. The right horn will be behind the helmet. Give them character — maybe the tip of one is broken off after a fight with one of Jabba’s henchmen. It’s up to you! Draw four fangs, which jut out from the lower lip and rest in front of the upper lip (for effect, you can add some drool if you like!)
Step Six:
Now you’re going to draw the helmet. The outside edge of the helmet is wider than the overall size of the head, but not by much. At this point you might want to start erasing some of the temporary lines you drew in Steps 1, 2, and 3.
Step Seven:
Draw the lower and upper lids of the eyes (the key is expression — if you reveal too much of the pupil, he’ll have a surprised look, which might be want you want — it’s up to you!) Add the nostrils, which are bean-shaped. Draw a bit more of the right side of the face next to the nose. Also draw the right side of the helmet (sort of like a “V” turned on its side). Extend the line of the flap-like, fleshy jowl on the left side of his face to reach the helmet. If you haven’t done so, start erasing of those temporary lines you drew in Steps 1, 2, and 3.
Step Eight:
Finish erasing all those lines you’ve been using for placement and keep only what you’ll need for the final drawing. Now is the time to adjust or change anything you don’t like because the next step is adding detail and polishing the final drawing.
Step Nine:
Darken your lines by adding more pressure with your pencil, or retrace the lines with a marker. Vary the line thickness — this will add weight and will give more interest to the drawing. You know how angry the Gamorrean Guard looks (when he’s not cowering in a Rancor pit), so add some wrinkles under his eyes and on his brow to give him that ornery appearance. Add some decorative detail to his helmet. This creature’s skin isn’t smooth, so there may be wart or two on his chin, along with some slobber! You can add as much detail as you want — be creative! Finish your drawing by adding a suggestion of shoulders and don’t forget to sign your artwork!
