Dragon art for a novel
I’m always super excited whenever I get to illustrate a dragon. Dragon art is always a bit of a holy grail for the fantasy artist. Dragons are a blast to draw because there are basically no rules… you can go wild with your imagination. Want giant bat wings? Go for it. Covered in fur? Why not. They’re part of all kinds of myths around the world, so you can mix and match styles—from elegant, twisty Chinese dragons to big, fire-breathing Western ones. Plus, they’re great for playing with cool textures like scales, claws, and glowing eyes. Whether they’re soaring through the sky or guarding treasure, every dragon you draw feels like it’s part of some epic story, which makes the whole process way more fun.
For this dragon I went with more of a European or Western style. The author wanted a black dragon so I wanted to make it feel enormous and have it blot out the sun.
Below are a couple of the sketches I did prior to working it up to the final above!
Hi I’m Jamie!
I work on fantasy and sci-fi maps for various clients from authors to game publishers. I have had some great clients working on both established IPs and new settings. I’m always interested in hearing about more projects I might be needed on, so feel free to drop me an email to info@thenobleartist.com
If you’re looking for a fantasy artist, feel free to snoop through my illustration portfolio or head straight over to contact me for work. You’ll find my email address and some handy forms which guide you through some of the starting info I’ll need to be able to quote for you. Typically I’m booked up a month ahead of time, but do drop me a line if you have anything time sensitive. Sometimes I’m able to move things around in a pinch. Hope to hear from you! In the meantime, stay informed of my new work and availability and sign up for the mailing list.
