Designing Dragons: Space Dragons (Part 2)
I first read Anne McCaffrey’s Dragonflight in late middle (or early high) school. It was after I had read The Hobbit, and before I plunged into Piers Anthony’s many Xanth novels. And, even though it had a female protagonist (and her dragon), I really enjoyed it. Since it took place on another planet, it reminded me of Princess Leia and Star Wars a bit…of course, I loved the cover by Michael Whelan (the real reason I read it):
Imagine my surprise when I received a call from Delrey books in 2001 to do a “new” version of Pern - fully illustrated and aimed for younger readers. Wow!
Needless to say, I was giddy to be walking in the tracks of Whelan to bring my own view of Pern to life…but alas, it never really happened to the full extent of my vision.
You see, a book like this has a loooong history with a lot of people attached. Bringing in some new, “unknown artist” who wanted to tear the place apart and redesign everything, ruffled feathers. And so, many of my early space dragon designs were abandoned. I am posting some of these images here for the first time. The rest will have to wait for my Art of Tony D book…
Here, for once, I did not feel the constraints I had felt when I designed the terrestrial dragons found in D&D. I was thinking less-dragon-more-space-creature, and had great fun exploring shapes and forms. I looked at a lot animals for the head design: antelope, hippo, and fledgling birds. Finally we settled on a horse-like form - not my first pick, but it certainly appeared gallant on the final cover.
Like Dinosaur Summer, I am pretty sure my version of Dragonflight is out of print. However, the labor that went into this book was not a loss to me. Projects where I can explore ideas and flesh out concepts are always rewarding - even if it all doesn’t make it to the final product…which often happens with me. I do a lot of sketches before I even think of preparing for a final image.
So, the dragon-design knowledge (as well as the world-building designs: people, clothing, architecture, etc) I gained here became very useful when I began laying the groundwork for a new series of books I had created with my good friend Holly Black…
Up next: Spiderwick dragons!
October 20th, 2007 at 2:48 pm
I remember the furore on the official Anne McCaffrey bulletin board when the art was released. So many of us are such big fans of Whelan’s covers, it’s really hard to step back from a first impression that has shaped your vision of an entire storyverse.
I just re-read Spiderwick and was reminded that Byron looks a lot like a gryphon by Maurice Sendak, used by the Toronto Public Library special Osborne Collection of Early Children’s Books. ^_^
October 22nd, 2007 at 11:44 pm
its funny to find people getting so upset about the style of art on a novel cover getting changed. Isnt change a good thing? i would always have thought that such a change could very easily re-energize peoples imaginations. but alas not.
i also struggle with dragons but for me its really fantastical beasts in general.
and whats this about a tony D art book? is it something in the works?!
October 27th, 2007 at 5:17 pm
Those Pern dragons are very cool. If they ever turn Pern into a movie they should use your painting as a reference. Its so cool how you get to do all that cool stuff.
I think that a Pern dragon would be cool in Star Wars. I’m a fan of the origanal series to!