What is the black area around Splinter's eyes?

[neatoman]

I've noticed that Kevin and Peter typically draw Splinter with a black area around his eyes. At first I thought it was a shadow but it's too consistent to be a shadow. So is his fur just darker there or does he wear eye liner?
https://www.lambiek.net/artists/image/l/laird_p/laird_tmnt.jpg

[Candy Kappa]

It’s shadows or the non-highlighted area of his fur

[Powder]

It's definitely just a shadowy thing for effect. Doesn't have to make sense, it just has to look cool/gritty, which it does. :lol:

[Igglet]

It's definitely just a shadowy thing for effect. Doesn't have to make sense, it just has to look cool/gritty, which it does. :lol:

As we all know, the universe works on the rule of cool.

And Splinter is, like, really cool.

[Kenwatanabesclone]

I agree that’s its just a shadow. I’ve never really considered the possibility of it being anything else.

[Kamekichi]

I've noticed that Kevin and Peter typically draw Splinter with a black area around his eyes. At first I thought it was a shadow but it's too consistent to be a shadow. So is his fur just darker there or does he wear eye liner?
https://www.lambiek.net/artists/image/l/laird_p/laird_tmnt.jpg

The Turtles had it too.

https://i.imgur.com/eRjA0i4.png

[Tetsu Deinonychus]

I do wish more artists drew him like that, though. He does look cool that way.