Quite awhile back, when I was first getting back into inking, I created an ink based on the Im-Ho-Tep/Mummy character from the 1932 film version of The Mummy (see it here). The idea with that one was to work from a photo, something I hadn’t done much (if ever), to recreate the iconic face of Karloff’s mummy.
Since then, I’ve wanted to create a different mummy, one that didn’t rely on any photos at all. I’m getting confident with my ink work again, so I wanted to abandon the photo reference and just create something new. All of the Alphabeasts that I’ve done (see them all here, updated each week) have not been based on photos, other than general references for things like snakes and frogs.
Along with putting aside the photo reference, I’ve been trying with a few of them to back away from just the head/face area, and show more of the creatures. Sometimes, as with A is for Algul, I just really liked the contrast and the look of the closeup. But I’m trying to expand the ink ideas to show more, not only of the creature but of the environment it’s in.
With this mummy ink (below, if you want to skip my rambling), I don’t get into the environment. But I do try to show more of the creature, and try having her (yes, “her”) in a silent and yet threatening pose.
Here it is, let me know what you think. It’s 5″ x 7″ on 140 lb. Cold Press, as the other Alphabeasts have been. Click on the image for a larger version.
M is for Mummy:
As is often the case, I like to toy around with digital versions as well. Sometimes it’s just a quick tour into Photoshop, and I end up abandoning it. But with the mummy here, the digital version actually came out nicely.
Here’s the digital color version, I call it Mummy Afire.
