how to draw Watto

As the shrewd owner of a junk shop in Mos Espa, Watto may be a bit crabby towards his customers and employees, but he sure loves credits and gambling. This stout, blue-skinned Toydarian has rapidly flapping wings that keep him hovering at about a meter off the ground. But it's his crooked smile and expressive eyes that make him a fun character to draw.

Star Wars illustrator Cynthia Cummens explains with these easy-to-follow steps on how to draw Watto.

Steps 1-7 are to be drawn lightly with a pencil. No pen, no dark lines. Finished lines and details will come at the end.

Step One: The easiest way to start drawing Watto is to break him down into large basic shapes. Draw two overlapping ovals. At the top of the bottom oval, draw a horizontal line for placement of his large, expressive eyes. The semi-circle shapes represent his jaw around the bottom oval represent his jaw/chin. Remember, always work from large shapes and areas to small and avoid adding detail too quickly, no matter how tempting that is! You can add detail once you're satisfied with the basic shapes.		Step Two: Watto wears disobedient pit droids as hats to protect himself from the hot Tattooine sun. Think of a basic flying saucer shape and draw that on top of his head. Also draw his shoulders.		Step Three: Draw two almond shapes for his eyes. Start connecting his nose and mouth, and don't forget to give him a few teeth (some of which are jagged and broken!)

Step Four: After having to release Ani, Watto was a bit angry, so that's the expression you'll draw here. Give him a heavy, furrowed brow to help achieve that expression. Direct his gaze to the right, as if he just spotted someone who owes him some money from a lost bet!		Step Five: In Step One, you drew big shapes. Now it's okay to start tightening up your drawing with details such as the wrinkles in his nose, his nostrils, and the laces on his vest.		Step Six: Time to start inking. You might try Micron waterproof pens, which come in a wide range of sizes. Or, you can use a fine tip Sharpie. Ink only those lines you want in the finished piece. Vary the line thickness, making heavier marks in shadow areas, and lighter marks where you want softer looking edges.

Step Seven: In this step, erase all the pencil lines you don't want in the final drawing.

Step Eight: When coloring, you can use everything from colored pencil to watercolor to markers, or a combination of those materials. You can even scan your inked drawing and paint it in Photoshop! Have fun with your illustration, and as always, send your finished art to Bantha Tracks!