Designing Dragons (Part 4 )
So, as I mentioned in my last post, I am waist-deep in my new book project Kenny & The Dragon. It is a retelling of the Kenneth Grahame short story, The Reluctant Dragon, which was found in his book Dream Days published back in 1898.
This is one of my favorite dragon stories that I remember as a child. The surprise here is that the dragon is hardly the fierce, fire-breathing variety – he’s more a poet and a pacifist. There is also a slight humor in both the original version and my retelling, so I wanted his design to reflect that, yet still be an interesting and unusual creature.
My first attempt was very closely based on Ernest Shepard’s design in the original version. I quickly abandoned it and moved along feeling there was nothing more I could add…
I came close to this birdlike beaky version (remember those Pern dragons?) which I felt looked intelligent enough to speak, read and write, but wasn’t quite warm enough for the mood of the text that I had written.
This turtle-inspired version was more on the right track…but I still wasn’t quite there yet.
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It’s incredibly generous of you to share your development sketches, Tony. We can all watch your dragon evolve—and he keeps getting more interesting! He’s starting to remind me of those breeds of dog that you adore because they’re both cute and ugly at the same time.
It is fascinating watching the evolution of your dragons! The Reluctant Dragon is a favorite of mine and I think you’ll do a marvelous job. I like the birdlike dragon with his specs – it gives him a studious air. Also, the fact that some of the dragons seem to be smirking in the thumbnail sketches just reinforces how superior they are to us mere humans.
sigh, any of them would seem worth pursuing. I hope to get there one day.
Thanks again for posting all these insights into your process!
Ian
Very cool! the bird-like dragon was my favourite. But I also liked the turtle-like one. I can’t wait to read your new book. Any thing with dragons or your artwork is always worth a look!
Luke
Tony,
these are great,….I always love seeing the pencils before the final painting.
For some reason they seem to have alittle more soul when incomplete.
Your work is inspiring to look at,….find myself wanting to paint Dragons now.
Awesome as always.
-cgy
I was lucky enough to be at the monster drawing class at the museum a month ago and chose the dragon challenge. And yes, it was TOTALLY worth it to travel from Boulder! It is so incredibly cool that you share yourself and your process on how you get to your final piece in addition to mentoring & supporting us, the public in our own process. THANKS!!! I like the turtlish one as it has that friendly feel to him. I love all the pieces you’ve done! Congrats!