Inktober 2025 – Day 20 : Rivals – Dark Art
When the prompt “Rivals” drops, the instinct is to draw two warriors clashing swords or a classic hero-villain face-off. But after a decade in this scene, I know the most vicious rivalries aren’t external. The true enemy—the one that knows every weakness you have—is staring back at you in the mirror.
For Day 20, I wanted to manifest that internal civil war into flesh and ink.
This piece depicts a singular entity torn between two opposing natures. It’s the ancient “Angel and Devil on your shoulder” trope, but fused viscerally into one torso. On the left, we have the stoic, bearded figure of order, wielding a broadsword and bearing a feathered wing. On the right, the chaotic, horned demon snarls, clutching a trident and spreading a leathery, bat-like wing.
I focused heavily on the anatomy here to show that despite their opposing heads, they share the same strength. The muscle groups connect seamlessly, binding them together. I used deep blacks and cross-hatching to carve out the tension in the chest and arms. They are forced to march on the same legs, yet their intent is pulling in opposite directions.
The tragedy of this “rivalry” is that neither can win without destroying the vessel they share. It’s a dark reflection of the human condition—the constant struggle between our higher ideals and our baser instincts.
Click here to follow me in Instagram – @poeticdustbin