SciFi and Fantasy Art: Dragon

Oooh I've always loved watercolors. You've used them beautifully here. Could I use this on a tour?

Helena Zeegers replies: "Thank you! Absolutely! I get really happy everytime my pictures are used in tours! No need to ask permission from me to use on tours. (Even if the tour's name would be "Ugliest sh*t on elfwood") *grins*"

I luv it! Whats wrong with it?

Helena Zeegers replies: "I don't really know. Despite the hard work I put down on the scales.. I don't know, I just think it looks quite dull. *shrug* I'm just happy other ppl like it better than me."

I may get killed for saying this, but looks like one of this dragon's parents was a goldfish!

Helena Zeegers replies: "Who's to say it wasn't? *huge grin* But I must say, I'd much rather have one of these swimming in my fishbowl (if I had one) than I would a goldfish. "

Whats your secret? I tried water colours after i had seen the great effects that artistists like you get with them but I could never really use them. For example; I would have thought the fins would have been impossible to draw because of all the tiny individual strokes you have done, surely the watercolours would just run! Also the scales; they are brilliant but I would have thought the colours would have blended. I like how the colours are really strong and I think a bright yellow background suits it fine. (yet again how did you get such strong colours, you could allways see the paper behind with my watre colours). Do you use the tubes with water colour paste in them as I used those blockes you can get and my friend says they are terrible. Mybe thats the reason. Anyway, I digress. A beautifull and original Dragon.

Helena Zeegers replies: "Thank you! Well, I'd better start from the beginning then. First I just wet the paper with a big and soft brush, like the ones they give you to paint watercolour with. After that I choose my background colours. In this case yellow. (I do not use watercolour tubes unless there aren't any other options. Those are not even half as good as ordinary watercolours) Use the same brush and dab the chosen colour until there's lot of colour and little water on the brush. The paper is already soaked so the colour will spread out but remain strong. After that I let the paper dry a bit so there'sn't any puddles left but it's still wet enough to soak up the colours, just not as much as before. Then I paint the base to the mothief. (the basecolour and shape of the dragon.) When that's done I let the picture dry completely. This may take a while depending on how much water you use. about 15-60 minutes. After that you can begin making details. But to make really detailed pictures the soft standard watercolour-brushes are useless. You need a firmer brush. I use very small synthetic brushes, they have firm sharply pointed tips which are absolutely perfect for controlled detailed work. Don't use too much water to make details, they might spread out. besides, the synthetic brushes don't soak up as much water as ordinary watercolour brushes. The highlights on the dragon's body are made by rubbing clear water with a brush on the picture after it has dried and them gently soaking it up with a tissue. To sum it up, to get strong colours, use lot of colour and less water. To make sure colours doesn't blend, let the picture dry between the different colours. To do details, use a more rigid brush. (preferably synthetic, since they have fine hairs that are firm)Take care, Helena"

...wow... this is a REALLY cool pic! his warm colour concept is amazing and i love the way made him look like he's swimming or somthing maybe he's like swimming through fire or magma.i hate that too how when you work so hard on the scales but they don't really show it almost feels like you wasted your time and efort drawing/painting them all. but i noticed that when i DON'T draw scales it looks worse.
love the pic you did an AMAZING job!

Hej!

Jag funderar på att skaffa en tatuering och jag har letat på ganska många ställen på internet efter ett motiv som jag verkligen gillar men har inte hittat nåt. Så hittade jag den här!! Så frågan är, skulle jag kunna få använda den till en tatuering????

vore väldigt tacksam för svar!

OMG this is amazing. Love the colour and technique. What more can I say. I love it!!!!

OMG... I don´t now what to say... I am stuned... It´s sooo beutifal... I really like it! I falled in love with this dragon!!

i think that the scales turned out fine! but i will admit, for a fire dragon he looks alot like a fish because of all the fin-like features!

ironic. a fire dragon done in water colours. i dont get whats wrong with it. i can see the scales perfectly. any more defined, and it would just look like a mess