I created the Amber Dragon a good while ago, and have spent a long time trying to create the perfect environment for him. I think I’ve started this image about 10 times at this stage! As with all my Wood Dragons, he is created in Photoshop, a combination of digital painting and elements of my own photography for texture. He is called the Amber Dragon as I based his eye on that wonderful golden substance. The original res is 9500px wide – I’ll post a 100% crop a bit later.
The Robin is painted/textured using a combination of Robin references – I took some liberties with the eye/beak area as I discovered through the process that it’s quite difficult to make a bird look like it’s ‘looking’ at something – the lack of pupil is tricky!
The Ant has spotted an opportunity and is making the most of the distracted Dragon
The background is a combination of painting and elements of my own shots - I was trying to capture a hint of faery architecture without overdoing it.
I like to think the Dragon is bemused by the Robin’s clear interest in his Hoard, but read into the confrontation what you will!
