Saturday, September 18, 2021

Skybax Academy

Skybax Academy, oil, 4 x 8 inches. 

Skybax Academy is one of the skill-building centers for young pterosaur pilots in Dinotopia.

5 comments:

Peter Katt said...

The caption says the painting is 4 x 8 inches, is that correct? I'm amazed that you can put so much detail into a painting that small. For pieces that aren't in a sketchbook, what guides your decision on what size canvas or board to use?

Bob said...

Incredibly beautiful! I don't recall seeing this in any of the Dinotopia books. If I missed it therein, please let me know which book.

Cody said...

I'm amused by the implausible but familiar mash up of geology and architecture of the scene. I can see the inspiration from the western United States badlands and the Nabataean tombs in Jordan tied together by the red sandstone that exists in both places. Are they natural arches that coincidentally form flying buttresses or was the whole thing carved? The cave seems certain to be artificial, painstakingly carved from the solid stone. What fun!

James Gurney said...

Peter and Bob, This was painted small as a tight comp really. It was a concept sketch for a movie screenplay, and obviously a mashup of Treetown and Canyon City. That saves a lot of "shoeleather" for potential scripts. Cody, as you suggest the geology may be a bit implausible.

Liam Butt said...

Here's hoping it will find its way into the next Dionotopia tome! The contrast of the lush forest and the monumental sandstone formations feels similar to scenes in First Flight. Near Prosperine or Pteros perhaps?