Lucasfilm's art director, Andre Kirk, reveals the visual development secrets of the new Star Wars series, Maul – Shadow Lord. By blending traditional painting techniques with modern animation tools, the team has brought Maul to life in a unique and captivating way.

Their approach was to create a 'living painting' aesthetic, drawing inspiration from oil paintings. This meant training the artists on oil painting techniques and emphasizing the importance of not revealing the underlying paper or canvas. The result is a series that feels both timeless and cutting-edge.

Maul's design process involved extensive iteration, ensuring that every aspect—from his face to his overall look—maintained an authentic Star Wars feel while incorporating new elements. Dave Filoni's vision for Janix, the city where Maul resides, was carefully crafted with retro-futuristic architecture and a focus on terrestrial transportation.

Andre Kirk emphasizes the importance of consistency in character design, allowing each department to work within a shared visual language. This approach ensures that every element of the series, from textures to lighting, contributes to the overall painterly look.