Inktober 2025 – Day 18 : Deal – Dark Art
When the prompt “Deal” comes up, most might think of business handshakes or pacts. But in the dark corners where I find my inspiration, a “deal” is usually a gamble—and the house always wins. For Day 18, I decided to sketch the ultimate agent of chaos, the one character who treats life like a rigged deck of cards: The Joker.
This isn’t just a portrait; it’s an invitation to a game you’re destined to lose. I wanted to capture that split second before he lays his cards on the table, where the “deal” is offered, but the terms are absolute madness.
I kept the lines frantic and sharp to mirror his fractured psyche. If you look closely at the shading on his shirt and tie, you’ll see it’s not just cross-hatching—it’s a texture made of the words “HAHA,” endlessly repeating. It’s a subtle detail that represents how the madness is woven into the very fabric of his being.
The only splash of color in this monochrome piece is the blood-red grin. It draws the eye immediately to the center of the chaos. Holding up the Six of Spades, he offers a deal that probably ends with a punchline no one survives.
Ink is the perfect medium for him. It’s messy, it stains, and once it’s on the paper, it’s permanent. Just like a bad deal with the Clown Prince.
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