Contessa Spada

This is actually only part of a larger illustration that I’m working on, but this character stood out quite well so I turned this detail into an illustration in it’s own right. I love swords, particularly the Italian Sidesword and Scottish baskethilt, and this character, a wealthy Italian countess, probably from around Lombardy who, to amuse herself, moonlights as a swashbuckling highwayman during the 16th century. Very much an anti-hero at best. Any comments welcome!

Pen and Ink on Bristol Board, colored in photoshop