Gallery

Fifteen looks at one dragon

Click any frame to open it full screen. Arrow keys move through the set.

Close-up of Zmago's head with the jaw open — Eyes and open jaw

Zmago's head seen face on — Head, face on

Head in profile

The headThe head is built around small details that give Zmago his character - curved horns, long whiskers, sharp teeth and a red tongue inside the opening jaw. The face is shaped with layered contours around the cheeks and eyes, while the nostrils add another small detail to the front of the head. Together, these details give the head its own shape and expression.

Zmago from the side, head turned to the viewer, mouth open — Side on, head turned

Zmago crouching, head facing the viewer, tail curling up behind — Crouching, face on

Zmago from the front, wings spread, tail rising in an S-curve — Wings spread, tail in an S

Front posesThe front of Zmago can be lowered into a more crouched position by moving the wings upward and dropping the front corners of the body. The corners can be lowered to roughly a right angle against the wings, changing the way the front of the dragon sits. Combined with the movement of the head and neck, this creates a lower, more compact stance that can make Zmago look like he is sneaking or stalking forward.

Zmago seen from above and behind, wings spread, tail towards the viewer — From above, wings spread

Zmago’s joints are built with different types of movement depending on where they are placed. The head, wings, hands and tail use curved joints that allow them to rotate and move freely in different directions. The neck, spine and toes are built to move mainly along a single vertical plane, keeping their movement controlled and predictable.

Zmago seen from directly above, head on the left, tail on the right — Plan view, straight down

The segmented tail rising above the wings — Tail segments

The goal was to find the right balance between movement and stability. Zmago has enough articulation to create different poses, while each part remains strong enough to hold its position. The joints and their range of movement keep the body flexible without becoming too loose, allowing the build to move naturally while staying stable.

Zmago seen from above and behind, wings spread — From above, behind the wings

Zmago seen from above, head to tail — From above, head to tail

Head and neck seen from behind, horns and whiskers — Horns, whiskers, neck joint

Zmago from behind and above, head raised, tail trailing towards the viewer — From behind, head raised

Zmago facing forward, wings spread and tail raised — Standing, front three-quarter

Zmago standing, front three-quarter, tail curled up — Front three-quarter, tail raised

Zmago from the front, head low between the arched wings — Head low, wings arched

Zmago from above, looking down the spine from the head to the tail — From above, along the spine