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This record marks the third week of my stay in the red rock mountains. I’m now ready to start the long journey back to civilization, filled with the joy of accomplishment and still shaking with excitement. This trip was a great success, and my patience finally paid off. It all began with the discovery of this valley, surrounded by steep sandstone walls. The walls immediately grabbed my attention because they displayed what can only be described as vast skid marks, almost as if something immensely large had rubbed its hide against the stone. Further investigation also revealed claw marks on the ground, deep enough to suggest that whatever made them had claws as tough and big as a plow. Lastly, covered under the red dust, I found several large scales of a dull, dark gray color. The biggest and most remarkable one was as large as a dinner plate, black as charcoal, and, after a thorough cleaning, featured some beautiful bluish iridescence, similar to what can be seen on the feathers of corvids.
All these findings suggested that this valley has been a resting place for a reptile so big it would fall into the gargantuan category. It might even be one of the biggest specimens of that category! Knowing what a great opportunity this was, I could only hope that the creature would eventually return. So, I’ve made camp in the cave systems close by and visited this spot every day for the last three weeks. Initially, luck eluded me. Weeks went by without any sign of the creature, and my provisions dwindled away, putting me on a time limit. The journey to this place, located deep in the mountains far away from any civilization, has been tough and long. Preparing for another journey would require a great amount of funds and time. Therefore, I decided to ration what I had, squeezing out a couple more days, hoping for an encounter. Fortune smiled upon me.
One day, hungry and with the sun already high in the sky, I awoke. As usual, after a very meager breakfast and a sip from my canteen—which, instead of quenching my thirst, only made me long for more—I made my way to the edge of the valley. I couldn’t believe my eyes. There, almost filling the entire clearing with its body, lay a black dragon. It was curled into a crescent shape on the hot sandstone, its side pressed against the walls, and its head hidden under a half-extended wing, shielding it from the relentless sun. It was certainly much larger than I had imagined, featuring a color palette of ash and coal, with a blue iridescent shimmer visible on the darkest of its scales. My body started shaking with excitement—or perhaps it was instinctual fear in the face of an apex predator that I mistook for excitement. Nonetheless, I was suddenly wide awake and wouldn’t waste any more time just being in awe. I had to record this creature as best as I could.
The next hours were spent taking notes and creating rough sketches while the dragon basked in the sun, almost motionless, filling the air with a steady rumbling with every breath it took. In fact, it was so still and peaceful that I considered climbing down the cliff walls to get a closer look and make some measurements. Fortunately, I didn’t, because at that very moment, almost as if the creature could hear my thoughts, it moved. It was otherworldly, like witnessing a mountain shifting into another form. With a great rumbling and the sound of its scales scraping against the stone all around it, it uncurled in a fluent motion. Its massive head emerged from under the wing and rose higher and higher, forcing me to look up to see it. It felt even larger now—magnificent, majestic, powerful.
What it did next, caught be my surprise. The creature snorted audibly, nostrils twitching, the scales on its snout shifting and creasing and its heavy scaly lips raising to reveal a thin line of teeth. It was an odd sight, honestly it looked as if it was about to sneeze. Suddenly its entire body twisted; wings spreading and hindparts angling to reveal the creatures underside. Then it raised a massive leg and used it to scratch its nose… almost like a dog would. Words fall utterly short in describing it, so I tried my best to sketch it from memory. It was… adorable. The entire thing took only a moment and ended with the dragon giving a quick scan of his surroundings with half opened eyes. I was so in awe that I didn’t realize what it was doing until it was too late. As its gaze fell on me, I froze. It was as if every cell in my body turned into stone. It spotted me, but surprisingly its eyes only rested on me for the length of a heart beat, before it continued with its examination of the surroundings. I realized it merely recognized my existence, but didn’t consider me to be a threat or at the very least something of interest. Eventually it ended up curling back into its original crescent shape with its head hidden under a wing and continued with its nap and it was at that point, that I regained control of my body. I never felt so small and insignificant and yet so fortunate in all my life.
Felt inspired to add a little piece of writing to this picture.
I just really really really love pictures that show creatures like Tarkus, these... incredibly forces of nature, in very casual and relatable scenarios. In this case, dealing with an annoying itch on his snout in the probably least dignified way possible. And yeah, incidentally also quite revealing... like dude... just use a forepaw! Think about the children!
This piece was made by
Conter Marune who absolutely went above and beyond.
Super fun to work with as well. Just all in all a great person.
Dragon belongs to me
Red haired human is called Marune and belongs to Conter
All these findings suggested that this valley has been a resting place for a reptile so big it would fall into the gargantuan category. It might even be one of the biggest specimens of that category! Knowing what a great opportunity this was, I could only hope that the creature would eventually return. So, I’ve made camp in the cave systems close by and visited this spot every day for the last three weeks. Initially, luck eluded me. Weeks went by without any sign of the creature, and my provisions dwindled away, putting me on a time limit. The journey to this place, located deep in the mountains far away from any civilization, has been tough and long. Preparing for another journey would require a great amount of funds and time. Therefore, I decided to ration what I had, squeezing out a couple more days, hoping for an encounter. Fortune smiled upon me.
One day, hungry and with the sun already high in the sky, I awoke. As usual, after a very meager breakfast and a sip from my canteen—which, instead of quenching my thirst, only made me long for more—I made my way to the edge of the valley. I couldn’t believe my eyes. There, almost filling the entire clearing with its body, lay a black dragon. It was curled into a crescent shape on the hot sandstone, its side pressed against the walls, and its head hidden under a half-extended wing, shielding it from the relentless sun. It was certainly much larger than I had imagined, featuring a color palette of ash and coal, with a blue iridescent shimmer visible on the darkest of its scales. My body started shaking with excitement—or perhaps it was instinctual fear in the face of an apex predator that I mistook for excitement. Nonetheless, I was suddenly wide awake and wouldn’t waste any more time just being in awe. I had to record this creature as best as I could.
The next hours were spent taking notes and creating rough sketches while the dragon basked in the sun, almost motionless, filling the air with a steady rumbling with every breath it took. In fact, it was so still and peaceful that I considered climbing down the cliff walls to get a closer look and make some measurements. Fortunately, I didn’t, because at that very moment, almost as if the creature could hear my thoughts, it moved. It was otherworldly, like witnessing a mountain shifting into another form. With a great rumbling and the sound of its scales scraping against the stone all around it, it uncurled in a fluent motion. Its massive head emerged from under the wing and rose higher and higher, forcing me to look up to see it. It felt even larger now—magnificent, majestic, powerful.
What it did next, caught be my surprise. The creature snorted audibly, nostrils twitching, the scales on its snout shifting and creasing and its heavy scaly lips raising to reveal a thin line of teeth. It was an odd sight, honestly it looked as if it was about to sneeze. Suddenly its entire body twisted; wings spreading and hindparts angling to reveal the creatures underside. Then it raised a massive leg and used it to scratch its nose… almost like a dog would. Words fall utterly short in describing it, so I tried my best to sketch it from memory. It was… adorable. The entire thing took only a moment and ended with the dragon giving a quick scan of his surroundings with half opened eyes. I was so in awe that I didn’t realize what it was doing until it was too late. As its gaze fell on me, I froze. It was as if every cell in my body turned into stone. It spotted me, but surprisingly its eyes only rested on me for the length of a heart beat, before it continued with its examination of the surroundings. I realized it merely recognized my existence, but didn’t consider me to be a threat or at the very least something of interest. Eventually it ended up curling back into its original crescent shape with its head hidden under a wing and continued with its nap and it was at that point, that I regained control of my body. I never felt so small and insignificant and yet so fortunate in all my life.
Felt inspired to add a little piece of writing to this picture.
I just really really really love pictures that show creatures like Tarkus, these... incredibly forces of nature, in very casual and relatable scenarios. In this case, dealing with an annoying itch on his snout in the probably least dignified way possible. And yeah, incidentally also quite revealing... like dude... just use a forepaw! Think about the children!
This piece was made by
Conter Marune who absolutely went above and beyond.Super fun to work with as well. Just all in all a great person.
Dragon belongs to me
Red haired human is called Marune and belongs to Conter
Category Artwork (Digital) / Fantasy
Species Dragon (Other)
Size 1200 x 686px
File Size 1.03 MB
Got a massive dragon that could easily squish me like a bug that's quite terrifying. Said big scary dragon proceeds to give it's muzzle hindpaw scratches like a massive cat/dog that's adorable as heck.
My brain would just malfunction at a sight like this as it tries to decide between running away and attempting to give the big guy some belly scratches.
My brain would just malfunction at a sight like this as it tries to decide between running away and attempting to give the big guy some belly scratches.
Absolutely love the whole scene and how your big guy was portrayed
And i can definitely understand fascination of the human with him because i would also sink in feeling of total awe and magnificence in his presence
He is both elegant and monumental here and... incredibly beautiful
Though i also love a bit of casual mood implied here where he doesn't feel strain or urge to wreak havoc upon foolish humans but rather enjoys his moments of basking in rays of hot sun and light of fame
Plus he does look cute when he tries to scratch himself like this. Almost like a gigantic cat with armored scales, flames that can burn hot as sun and wings of the size of airplane. It is even reflected in his elegance despite the size and quite sturdy build
Simply glorious
And i can definitely understand fascination of the human with him because i would also sink in feeling of total awe and magnificence in his presence
He is both elegant and monumental here and... incredibly beautiful
Though i also love a bit of casual mood implied here where he doesn't feel strain or urge to wreak havoc upon foolish humans but rather enjoys his moments of basking in rays of hot sun and light of fame
Plus he does look cute when he tries to scratch himself like this. Almost like a gigantic cat with armored scales, flames that can burn hot as sun and wings of the size of airplane. It is even reflected in his elegance despite the size and quite sturdy build
Simply glorious
Sure thing it is impressive sight... and quite scary if to think about it
Whoever thinks to outrun or dodge him will be both in shock, terror and surprise by how swift and flexible he can be despite all this mass
What chances the mere mortal being has in encounter with such creature and (gods forbid) you managed to make him angry? Almost none i would say
Always glad to see him in any case. The more Tarkus the better
Whoever thinks to outrun or dodge him will be both in shock, terror and surprise by how swift and flexible he can be despite all this mass
What chances the mere mortal being has in encounter with such creature and (gods forbid) you managed to make him angry? Almost none i would say
Always glad to see him in any case. The more Tarkus the better
Absolutely endearing. ^^
A lovely artwork and a fun little story to go with it. From awe to "Awww <3". I love how such a simple, instinctive gesture works to break up the grandiose image a bit.
Also, that haunch... Lad, that's a chiseled haunch. Finest in the realm, undoubtedly. x)
A lovely artwork and a fun little story to go with it. From awe to "Awww <3". I love how such a simple, instinctive gesture works to break up the grandiose image a bit.
Also, that haunch... Lad, that's a chiseled haunch. Finest in the realm, undoubtedly. x)
Excellent display of yourself once more. Scratching with the hind paws is something entriely on it's own and clearly beats useing the front paws many times. Also it provides such a great and nice pose and display of a dragons flexibility even when many think we can't more this agile.
Conters Style absolutely suits you so well. The scale details, the perfectly worked out draconic anatimy with the strong muscled hind legs and broad hind paws, the heavy and thick tail....all so good. The setting and the surrounding cliffs also nicely emphasises the darker scales of yours as it creates such a nice contrast. As mentioned above also I love the way the pose is being drawn and used here to in this casual moment. It gives so much personality into this drawing. The facial expression also works nicely to underline this and show the mood and the overall atmosphere of the whole drawing.
The wonderfully written text here adds so much to the atmosphere as well and allows the reader and viewer to dive right into the scenery. I do love it when Artworks are accompanied by such little story snippets. Especially when so well written as this one. Aweome work through and through.
Conters Style absolutely suits you so well. The scale details, the perfectly worked out draconic anatimy with the strong muscled hind legs and broad hind paws, the heavy and thick tail....all so good. The setting and the surrounding cliffs also nicely emphasises the darker scales of yours as it creates such a nice contrast. As mentioned above also I love the way the pose is being drawn and used here to in this casual moment. It gives so much personality into this drawing. The facial expression also works nicely to underline this and show the mood and the overall atmosphere of the whole drawing.
The wonderfully written text here adds so much to the atmosphere as well and allows the reader and viewer to dive right into the scenery. I do love it when Artworks are accompanied by such little story snippets. Especially when so well written as this one. Aweome work through and through.
A lovely story to go with a lovely piece of art. Conter Marune did an outstanding job with Tarkus here! I imagine Tarkus's first thought was to play it cool and pretend as if what just happened wasn't observed.
Conter Marune did an outstanding job with Tarkus here! I imagine Tarkus's first thought was to play it cool and pretend as if what just happened wasn't observed.
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