Drawing the Reek

As one of three deadly creatures unleashed in the Geonosian execution arena, the reek was dispatched to kill Anakin Skywalker, Padmé Amidala and Obi-Wan Kenobi in Attack of the Clones.

Star Wars illustrator Randy Martinez explains with these easy-to-follow steps on how to draw the reek.

"One of my favorite things in the Star Wars universe are the many creatures and beasts that make up the zoology of that galaxy far, far away," Martinez explains. "Some of my favorite creatures are from the Arena scene in Attack of the Clones such as the powerful reek that was sent out to bring Anakin Skywalker to his demise."

"While looking at the reference image, pay close attention to the reek's most distinctive characteristics," Martinez suggests. "Note the stocky body, the big horns, and the hump begin."

For steps 1-6 draw lightly with a pencil. No pen, no dark lines. All the finished lines and details will come at the end in the last step.

Step One: Start with the most basic triangle shape of its body. Then draw a line through the middle. This is a guideline for placement of other shapes like the head.

Step Two: Draw a circle where the guideline intersects with the right side of the body shape. Next draw some guidelines through the head shape. It's very important to draw the vertical line curved to the right as a reference for later details.

Now it's time to draw some of the reek's smaller shapes. I have drawn them in red here, but you continue to draw them lightly with your pencil. Be sure to keep the shapes simple. Use the guidelines to place the shapes in their proper place. Note some of the lines I have made (like the brow). They aren't shapes but it's good to draw the basic lines to help build up the features.

Step Four: Now that you have the basic shapes and lines, draw some of the even smaller shapes like the eyes and toes. I've drawn these shapes in green, but you continue with light pencil.

Step Five: Continue on with some of the smaller details like the nose and some of the bigger bumps and folds on its body. Follow the lines that I have drawn here in blue.

Step Six: Finally, draw some of the really small details like the bumps on the reek's back, the ring in his nose. Follow the lines I have drawn here in Pink.

Step Seven: Now, your piece should look something like this. It looks like a mess right now, but you have successfully built up all that you need to make the permanent lines precisely where you want them! Now you want to use a fine tip marker. Draw over only the lines you want to keep. For instance, you don't want the guidelines you drew at the beginning of this lesson. Take your time.

Step Eight: Now erase all the pencil lines. Since you drew lines with a marker, the eraser will only erase the pencil lines you don't want. Now, you can add fine details like bumps, spikes, wrinkles, teeth, spots, or whatever else you may want to add to your creation.

Step Nine: Congratulations! You have drawn your very own reek. It should look something like this. At this point you can go back and beef up some of the lines and add color too.

Step Ten: This is how I would finish up mine! Feel free to add your own funny characters as well!

For more fun and helpful tips on how to draw your favorite Star Wars characters, read all about the new book You Can Draw: Star Wars from DK Publishing.