Week 52 of 365 Days of Art Challenge

The last week of the 365 Days of Art Challenge by Blue Twig Studio!! I made it through the year and was able to complete almost every week's sketch challenge. I made my goal of finishing the studies from J. "Neon Dragon" Peffer's DragonArt Evolution: How to Draw Everything Dragon.  (See past posts here.)

back cover of DragonArt Evolution: How to Draw Everything
Dragon by J. Neon Dragon Peffer

DragonArt Evolution:How to Draw Everything Dragon
cover by J. Neon Dragon Peffer

I finished the last two exercises in the book this week for my sketches. The first one is a Mesoamerican Dragon, which is a feathered serpent with a long body that can twist and cling to various objects. The serpent is as comfortable airborne, as it is looping its coils over branches of a tree. They enjoy accents of elaborate jewelry, tassels and gold decorations.

Mesoamerican Dragon, 10" x 7", 0.005 black Sakura micron pen and pencil on mixed-media paper.

I enjoyed drawing this one.  Scales separating the top and bottom of the serpent were useful since there are no limbs to help keep the front from the back when drawing the dragon's body twists and movements in space.  It was challenging to get the values in pencil, but I'm very happy with the result.

The second one is a Dragon Rider flying on a dragon. Not all dragons will allow humans on their backs. The few that do often form close bonds with their two-legged companions. The dragon rider team has many uses, such as an elite aerial force, a cab service, racing, delivering mail, and just for fun. The dragon rider may have a uniform that matches his fellow riders, or one that coordinates specifically with his dragon.

Dragon Rider, 7" x 10", 0.005 black Sakura micron pen and pencil on mixed-media paper.

This study was a challenge, as Peffer gave good directions for drawing the main dragon, but just two comments for adding the rider - 1) pencil in a simplified rider, and 2) add details and costume. I wasn't expecting this after all the step-by-step details in the rest of the book. I have done portraits in the past, but not full figures. I have found with portraits that the facial features become much more difficult the smaller the portrait is. This dragon rider was no exception. I drew the face several times before deciding I had the proportions as good as I was going to get them.

I have enjoyed this weekly sketch challenge immensely! I learned much this year, especially relating to drawing dragons. I feel I have improved my ability to sketch, to achieve proper values in respect to lighting, and to make time for art every week. More importantly, I had fun!!  Thank you Deb for the challenge!



Happy New Year to all!


Keep creating!
Lynnita