Artwork Title: Counterparts

Counterparts, 1975

Ralph McQuarrie

Artwork Title: CounterpartsArtwork Title: Counterparts
Ralph completed his first Star Wars production painting of the droids in the desert at the end of January, 1975. The original version featured a much more human face on C-3PO, as well as a different torso. Ralph didn’t recall any specific reason for the changes made to the final painting, although he was never quite happy with his design for the C-3PO’s face. John Barry suggested the round eyes that gave Threepio his astonished look, and Ralph felt that finally completed the character. In the portfolio, Wikarska notes that Ralph used photo reference from the Oregon coast for the background, but many fans have since recognized that backdrop as Morro rock, in Morro Bay California.

Arthur is a
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