The city of Janix in MAUL - SHADOW LORD created using hand-painted glass and canvas artwork

MAUL – SHADOW LORD Used Hand-Painted Glass Art to Create the City of Janix

Matt "ObiWaN" Hansen Maul: Shadow Lord

One of the most striking elements in MAUL – SHADOW LORD isn’t a lightsaber duel or a Sith monologue — it’s the city of Janix itself.

According to new behind-the-scenes information, the city was created using a surprisingly old-school technique:
artists physically painted the city on pieces of glass and canvas, then used those paintings as background elements in the series.

Yes — actual paint. Actual glass. In 2026.

A Practical Technique in a Digital Star Wars Series

Rather than building Janix entirely in 3D, the art team chose to lean on a method with deep roots in film history.

The process involved:

  • Painting detailed cityscapes on glass panels and canvas
  • Filming or compositing those paintings into shots
  • Using them as background plates to give depth and atmosphere

The result is a city that feels layered, distant, and slightly surreal — perfect for a story centered on Maul’s shadowy rise.

Why Glass Paintings Still Matter

This technique isn’t new. It’s a classic filmmaking trick used long before CGI became dominant — and Star Wars itself has a long history with it.

The original trilogy famously used matte paintings to create:

  • massive cityscapes
  • endless corridors
  • environments far larger than the sets themselves

By using painted glass for Janix, MAUL – SHADOW LORD taps into that same visual language — blending modern animation with traditional artistry.

Janix Feels Like a Real Place Because It’s Hand-Made

There’s something hard to fake about painted environments.

They introduce:

  • subtle imperfections
  • painterly lighting
  • depth that doesn’t feel “procedural”

That helps Janix stand out from the ultra-clean, hyper-digital cities we’re used to seeing. It feels grimy, moody, and lived-in — exactly the kind of place Maul belongs.

Star Wars Has Always Been at Its Best When Old Meets New

This behind-the-scenes detail fits perfectly with Star Wars’ long-standing creative philosophy:

use cutting-edge technology — but ground it in practical artistry.

From miniatures and matte paintings to puppets and real sets, Star Wars has always mixed eras of filmmaking. MAUL – SHADOW LORD continuing that tradition is a good sign — especially for a series built around atmosphere, obsession, and power.

Old-School Craft, New-Star Wars

Knowing that Janix was created using hand-painted glass and canvas makes the city even more impressive.

It’s a reminder that sometimes the most effective visuals don’t come from new tools — but from artists, brushes, and patience.

And in a series about shadows, manipulation, and legacy?

That feels exactly right.

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