Of all the Gem Dragon illustrations I did for Dungeons & Dragons The Book of Dragons this weirdly proved the most challenging. I pushed myself to paint a type of scales I rarely do here.

This is dragon 3 of 5

July 30, 2025 - 20:04 UTC

52
2
2823
Ooooh I love the long curly wing-fingers with the long curly tail.

A whippy willowy guy 🌱
0
0
0
Not a biggest fan of this one (don't get me wrong, it's still freakking cool!), but I L O V E the rhythm/movement(?) of elements here ♥♥♥♥
0
0
0
I'm absolutely in love with that emerald texture on the scales.
0
0
0
YOU DREW MY FAVORITE DRAGON TYPE HOLY CRAP

I love your work, my guy, and you did a /fantastic/ job with these. I still want to play an Emerald Dragonborn paladin thanks to what I've seen with these. :D
0
0
1
I like how it has a very classical dragon face, the hooked wing talons are a neat touch
0
0
0
The only way that i can describe what your drawings are doing to my braun is the blue screen of death.
Keep up the good work
0
0
0
Stunning
0
0
0
It's honestly about time that somebody did for the gem dragons what Lockwood did for the chromatic and metallic dragons.

They look awesome now.
0
0
0
It’s cool to see that you’re out here challenging yourself even after such a long time being an artist. I think that’s why everything you post is always interesting c:
0
0
0
Such an elegant design - love the swirly-swooshy tail 💚💚
0
0
0
man I just love the way you have the tail twisting in this, so good. as are the wing tip curls, definitely unique : )
0
0
1
Really outstanding
0
0
0
Next up... Ruby and Sapphire?
1
0
1
Half right
0
0
1
They look so cool!
0
0
0
The entire idea of representing them being psyonic by making the horns and spines float is PURE chef's kiss.
0
0
0
Oooh, the wings somehow make me think of some sharp leaves of vine-like plants that are really hard to get rid of (once they attach to your favourite plant or fence) which makes the design even more "aggressive" 🤩
0
0
1
HOW DO THEY KEEP GETTING COOLER
0
0
0
Because it was the most traditional dragon shape of the bunch that actually made it the hardest. Had to find more novel ways to eke out a bit more juice in the design. In addition to the scale type, I focused on the more novel folding wing shapes.
9
0
469
oh my gods~ This is so GORGEOUS~!!! <3 <3
0
0
0
The unique scale texture looks great, it was worth it
0
0
1
Ooo I really like the flames. Looks really radiant.
0
0
0
those scales are GORGEOUS, oh my god. May I ask how you did them? (like, the general process, if you remember eheh) they're so pretty......... (the whole design is too of course i'm just mesmerized by them for some reason!)
0
0
1
This is cool as fuck
0
0
0
I love the uniqueness of the gem making it smooth curved horns like that
0
0
0
Here is both a link to the last one I posted in this series as well as a link to preorder the book!

Come back tomorrow for the next one!
bsky.app/profile/rj-palmer.com/post/3lv5236c4bs2v

www.dk.com/us/book/9780593969311-dungeons-and-dragons-the-book-of-dragons/
1
0
215
Really love how much personally you manage to convey just through their heads, let alone the overall shape language on these fellas
0
0
0
Goddam this is GORGEOUS
0
0
0
how do floaty gems work in your headcanon... psychic chain? biomagnetic? mostly talking to myself here, loving these beasties esp emerald 💚💚💚
1
0
4
As they're gem dragons I'd imagine it's geomancy / electrostatic / gravity. Something suitably earthy.

With the dragon itself being the hoard and with them living so long, I imagine pieces go missing like a 90s Action Man in a jumble sale.
1
0
4
Words cannot express how much I love this.

Emeralds have always been my absolute favorite out of the Gem Dragons. One features as a major player in the world my campaign takes place in.
0
0
1
Cool as hell
0
0
0
ggrrreEEENNN 💚💚💚
0
0
0
I am such a big fan of what you did with this design. It feels like breathing new life while maintaining all the fun old school shapes. It makes it so pleasant to look at for me 😁
0
0
0
Dude these have been super awesome to see you post! Been sharing them with my D&D group for some new ideas lol
0
0
0
the head shape, the way the tips of the wing curl like fingers, the transition from hard scales to softer feel around the base of the wing. 🤌 mwah!
0
0
0
These gem dragons go so hard, I'm so glad I have more nice D&D dragons to stare at
0
0
1
I see this and all I think about is Todd Lockwood's art in the Draconomicon. Do you know if this book is similar to it?
Probably doesn't matter. I wanna get this book!
0
0
0
I got to say, I'm not typically one for these types of 'coffee table books' (I try to live an uncluttered lifestyle) but I've been so engrossed by both your artwork and the imagination found in DK's sample pages that I'm going to break my rules, buy this and force guests to look at it on the table.
0
0
1
Gorgeous. What animals did you reference from for the scales? Or was it purely artistic liberty?
0
0
0
Is this the smallest of the five?
1
0
1
I think the crystal one might be the smallest but this one might be the shortest
0
0
1
Woah it’s so majestic!! :0
0
0
0
those pointy scales under the wing catching the direct light 🤌
0
0
13
Slinky boi
0
0
0
Wooooah the detail is mesmerizing!
0
0
1
Love this one so much!!! *^*
0
0
1
Duuuuude, the scales and the emerald horns look so fucking awesome!!
0
0
0
OOOO I love the shape of the wings here! Dope work as always!
0
0
0
I want to give them something to hold in those wing tip curls LOLL
0
0
2
Hell yeah green with gold under
0
0
0
This is awesome!
0
0
0
The emerald shards on this dragon look delicious
0
0
1
You gonna put these on deviantart?
1
0
0
Yeah probably but not an immediate priority
1
0
1
Mah emmerrowds!
0
0
0
I've been lurking on your page all day for the next dragon I am inordinately excited about these
0
0
0
Gosh all the different wing shapes have got to be my favorite part of these! I also love how you rendered this guy’s teeth here :0
0
0
1
I’m noticing a theme of all the dragons so far having floating gem crystals of their specific gem with them. I’m also getting anole inspirations as well.
0
0
0
The way its horns are dethatched from its head is really cool and creative! Awesome design. 💯
0
0
1
All of these have been so stunning and visually interesting. You really knocked these all out of the park!
0
0
0
This'uns my favorite of the bunch
0
0
1
Well it paid off, those scales look beautiful!
0
0
0
Levitating horns O.O
That's an interesting feature. I wonder how that might work biologically and in combat.
0
0
2
I love the indirect light and occlusion on the scales, is difficult to not over work an area and paint a cluster of noise without losing the big shapes. Great job, I fill like I'm learning something wherever I look at your work!
0
0
0