Re-reading Annihilation and remembering the film (and anticipating a re-watch) while also in the midst of a current fixation on sketching Padme has me struck and disappointed by the continuing trend of Natalie Portman being cast for roles that would be most respectful/true to material to be offered to (and better done by) people of asian descent.

Her eyes are off and I could do something more polished, sure, but I'm also just thrilled to be back into consistent sketches. Here's one of many Padmes referenced from Asian fashion mags.

Another very rough sketch of Padme inspired by Chinese and Japanese fashion mags, on the back of some medical bills, whoopsy.

I've recently gotten into the habit of using makeup studies from Chinese and Japanese fashion mags as inspiration for Padme.

Sometimes I wish we'd get more Tatooine Padme, but unfortunately we live in a world where Padme was and is treated poorly by all involved and so most of those stories are mired by an unreservedly fluffy Anakin-focused love-story :/

Give me repressed, angry Padme who clings to relevancy and generosity by small actions that improve the lives of those on-planet, and slow and steady support for the homeworlders who strive to dismantle the current wretched state of the Planet.

Also she gets to wear a diaphanous space poncho, for funsies warding off sand and whipping winds on direct skin.