It's always a great pleasure to work on a new Star Wars illustration. And to be asked again this year to produce another original for the Topps Star Wars Galaxy series is an honour.

I decided to follow on from my Yoda and Dooku illustration "Once Allies" to show the continuation of their relationship from being Master and Padawan, fighting the good fight flashing forward to the time in Attack of the Clones, where they are now enemies. The duel in AOTC stood out for me as one of the highlights of the movie where, unpredictably, Yoda finally gets to show us his moves! He walks into the hangar bay to face his old Padawan hobbling with a walking stick...and then...Who'd have thought he could be so fast?! Took my breath away the first time I saw that scene.

So it's only fitting that when I re looked at these two characters, that this scene was a must to try and capture.

I did my initial concepts on my iPad, using a painting application called ProCreate and a stylus...not my finger ;) The comp was approved by Topps/Lucasfilm and then it was on to start the painting in reality on a piece of 30x40 illustration board.

Illustrating Yoda can be quite a challenge...he has quite unusual features, yet such a recognisable character... Quite a lot to render, but so worthwhile. Using my usual method similar in many ways to the art of Drew Struzan, drawing, drawing, airbrushed colour over airbrushed colour and then more drawing, using Prismacolor pencils filling in the lights and darks, I love the process.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this little sneak preview into the behind the scenes of what goes into creating an illustration at PS STUDIO.