This Inktober happened to coincide with the previews of the last season of Black Sails, and fans like myself who can’t believe we’re saying ‘the last season’ know it’ll be a great finish. Meanwhile, there really is no better excuse to draw some pirate-themed art, and with the Inktober challenge this month I thought it would also be a great chance to test out some grey-toned markers for the first time. I decided to use a combination of 3 cool-toned grey markers from ShinHanart, and I must say I’m already hooked on these beauties.

Here are 2 pieces that I have done so far for the challenge. Both were fun to do, but required some surprising amount of research for such a small project. I quickly realized my knowledge of the colonial era, or rather everything from clothing to utensils of the 1700s was limited. That was solved with some research and more excuses to re-watch seasons of Black Sails.

Stroll by the Docks, microns & markers on paper, 6×10″, 2016.

Barbecue & Flint, microns & markers on paper, 6×10″, 2016.

As perhaps one the earliest anti-heroes, Silver’s a definite favourite of mine.

Leading up from the beginning, I found Season 3 to have really developed the character of Long John Silver to a likeness to that in Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island.  As with all of the cast, I was of course impressed with Luke Arnold’s performance. Therefore, as I recalled scenes with a certain parrot of Silver’s from the book, I knew I had to incorporate her into a piece related to the show & actor somehow…and I thought why not as a drinking buddy? 🙂 Well let’s hope she doesn’t take a sip…I’m keeping my fingers crossed that if this is going to be a finale, we will see a glimpse of the beginnings of Treasure Island. The appearance of the parrot ‘Flint’ would definitely give me a chuckle.