Jim Knopf und die Wilde 13 - Golden Dragon

in 2019 I had the great opportunity to work on the German fantasy film "Jim Knopf und die WIlde 13", which is the second entry in the immensely successful Jim Knopf franchise.
The Golden Dragon is a wise and loving creature, a purified and transformed version of the evil dragon Frau Mahlzahn from the first movie.
It was great to revisit and update the design of the main antagonist and give it literally a new, golden coat.
If you know me, you know I love east-Asian cultures, dragons, and creature design. Working on the golden Dragon was an absolute treat :) These are only a few of the dozen versions and iterations I have created. Fun times ;)

final version

final version

alternate hair, scale pattern and pose

alternate hair, scale pattern and pose

back view, focusing on the back fins and scale patterns.

back view, focusing on the back fins and scale patterns.

early exploration sketches

early exploration sketches

early exploration sketches

early exploration sketches

early exploration sketches

early exploration sketches

early exploration sketches

early exploration sketches

early exploration sketches

early exploration sketches

early exploration sketches

early exploration sketches