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RalphHorsley — Dweomervore
Published: 2007-03-25 12:35:42 +0000 UTC; Views: 32759; Favourites: 386; Downloads: 808
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Description
DweomervoreForgotten realms; Waterdeep - internal illustration.
Acrylic, approx 6" x 7"
Original artwork SOLD.
Working on Dungeons and Dragons you are often asked to interpret and create images for new creatures. Although you are given a brief there is often a lot of freedom allowed for your own interpretation. This is one dragon-like critter I was particularly happy with. He might appear cute, but he's pretty vicious!
The D&D internal illustrations are usually presented in a 'vignette' style. This means that the image doesn't go all the way up to the edge of the frame, or box, that most images go into. This image is an example of a vignette.
Whilst this vignette isn't especially elaborate it does allow for the silhouette of the figure to stand out strongly. However it can also mean that there is little context or setting for a creature. This is why I added the helmet. Not only does it add more visual interest but also provides some scale. Asssuming the wearer was human this makes the Dweomervore quite a small beastie, but perhaps vicious enough that the helmet is from one of it's victims....
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Comments: 127
Sweet, thats a cool yet unusual monster. He doesnt seem that big against that helmet, unless its a giants helmet?
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he is quite a small imp/dragon cross. The helmet is intentional there to show he is small, without this guideline you'd have no idea how big he was.
Thanks
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Oh ok, sweet, Imps are cool
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he is not quite a true Dragon, but I have a couple up my sleeve to show shortly
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The tail is amazing ... I can just see it moving around all snake like and then whipping about when it was after someone. The colour work on the skin is also very expressive of it's texture. It's a great design for a creature and you've given a very definite idea of scale.
I've learned something about vignettes too.
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Thanks very much for the comment. I really pleased that I managed to convey so much for you. Thanks again
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This is really cool and again your attention to detail is fab!
What sort of canvas / board do you use to get that fab smooth and clear effect?
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I use mount board, which is available from most art shops. It has a smooth finish very much like that of smooth cartridge paper, it is just that much thicker and can take the punishment better of having lots of water thrown at it. Acrylic is naturally laid down in very thin layers so it will convey that smoothness of finish. It is hard to build up real body usuing acrylics.
Thanks
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Thanks for letting me know. I have pretty much always used standard canvas or when I have fancied some fun - build a rased up serface on hard board / wood etc.. so that you can touch as well as look. I once did a close up of a pile of licorice allsorts and made it touchable. On a 5 foot by 5 foot hard board- that was when I was in sixthform, not really fantasy but fun lol...
But I have always wanted to get that smooth look for the detail, which is near impossible on regular canvas if you want then to scan it lol...
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I have never got on with canvas. Acrylic doesn't have much body to it, at least not without a medium added, and the weave on canvas always irritated me - it is really best for oils.
What traditional medium do you usually work in?
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Usually acrylic but I will have a go at the others.
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awesome! I especially love the helmet - I'm so crap at metal that I can certainly appreciate it lots.
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Making the metal rusty and dented makes it easier to handle. Not so many of those pesky reflections
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aaaah! Will have to try that approach. thanks for the tip
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Amazing job!
He looks so adorable - I'd huggle him if he wouldn't eat my face.
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Yes, having your face eating does tend to lessen the enjoyment
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Dweomrvore were always one my favorite of some of the news D&D monsters that shown up. Their visual looks and their nature is simply nasty.
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Glad it was a beastie you were already familiar with. I did enjoy working on this picture. Thanks
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It certainly looks like a vicious and nasty little bugger. Makes me think of carrion birds waiting for a good scavenge. Almost a gargoylesque winged lizard, though a bit more dragony. The colour suits it well.
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I think the carrion bird analogy is a good one. It does have that feel. Thanks for the cmment :
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Good idea with adding the helmet there for scale
Love the detail!
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I fwelt pleased about that. Thanks for the comment
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That's a pretty monster!
I just love your works!
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Glad you like the little fella
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Incredible, I love the details on this dragon would-be
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I don't know what's cute about it... but diferent people different tastes...
great design though his mommy probably didn't love him for having such a "lemon in a mouth" expression
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Yes, I guess he ain't to everyone's tastes
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Fantastic attention to detail again Ralph. I love the rivets in the helmet. The helm reminds me of a Spartan design too, which I absolutely love. I think without that helm the whole sense of scale would have been difficult to get but the image works perfectly.
Bravo again!
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Thanks. Yes, I was sat there for ages thinking how to show this critter's scale, especially with the lack of background. I think that's why I am fond of the piece as it was a problem solved
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I think they should give you a Monster Manual to yourself
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Hey, tell Wizards that
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I always look forwards to seeing what new creatures come out of the imaginations of fellow authors, and of course what the artists can turn them into.
Some of my favourite illustrations were in the Planescape RPG Monster Manual and the setting...fantastic stuff.
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Sadly Planescape was something that I missed out on. I wasn't playing D&D and hadn't started working on it yet
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I've seen a fair few RPG's come and go, Planescape...Dark Sun 
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I have really enjoyed working on the covers for WFRP. It was one of the first rpg's I ever provided illustrations for - back in the Hogshead days, and it is good to be still involved. It is also the one that I play in my spare time (a friend of mine is a big fan and keen to run it), whilst I enjoy running short one-offs like 'All flesh...'
It does feel like rpg's are in some sort of hiatus at present, it will be interesting to see what the next developments are.
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I remember the Hogshead days. There was a brief time when I was going to be involved with WHFRP then, but time and other commitments got the better of me sadly.
The newest developments I know to so far are the SAGA Ed of Star Wars and the Green Ronin 40K RPG(s) 3 of them. Then you have Mongoose's recent announcement that they are revitalising their Lone Wolf RPG line with a brand new edition.
I think a lot of companies (including some I work for) are moving away from d20 and onto other systems as well. I've a couple of settings that I'm pondering development for True20 for instance, which I find is a great little system - Green Ronin again.
Good guys(and gals) GR.
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It certainly feels like there is a shift away from D20 going on. I am curious to see what the next 'big thing' is. All genres seem pretty well covered at present, and these things are unpredictable.
Despite working on the latest edition of WHFRP my contact has been with the Black industries, who commission the covers, not Green Ronin.
I find that my most lucrative work is on card art, both Magic and WoW, but that market is saturated.
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I'd definitely say that the shift is towards more 'generic' systems that allow for a multitude of different genres. As evinced by Mongoose's RuneQuest system which allows plugin settings.
I'm working more these days in the computer/console industry but I keep my paw in with the d20/RPG industry, mostly in PDF work.
Black Industries sound as though they're fairly cool to work for, hopefully they've been treating you all right.
Yeah. I think the CCG market is probably more saturated than the RPG one these days. That I suppose is a good and a bad thing, still it means we get to see more of your art across a broader spectrum of things.
Which is good (for us) *grin*
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Most artists seem to have shifted towards working in the video games industry too. I can see why but I very much enjoy what I do - which is lucky
Black Industries produce nice product and I love working on the Warhammer background, but it can be design by committee at times
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