How I Built a Dragon Head for my Market Booth

Art often inspires more art, and this dragon head sculpture is a perfect example. It all started when my partner sketched a series of dragon designs to pair with my dragon-themed potion props. One drawing stood out—a fierce dragon with two horns and a long snout—and I knew I had to bring it to life. 

What began as a simple idea quickly grew into a large-scale centerpiece that became one of my most ambitious projects to date.

Creating the dragon head was a journey of discovery. I learned that I excel at additive sculpting—building up the form layer by layer—rather than subtractive methods like carving. This revelation was both challenging and rewarding as I worked to refine the dragon’s head shape, facial features, and expression. This project was deeply frustrating at times, required me to ask for help many times, and humbled me as navigated each step. Going through this project taught me way more than just prop building techniques — it showed me that I always figure out a path forward. It may not always look as I intended or expected, but I push through, and that's the part that matters most to me. 

I started this project at Stratford Off The Wall and spent an immersive week bringing this dragon to life. It was a whirlwind of creativity—sketching out detailed plans, cutting wooden forms for stability, and attaching layers of foam to carve and shape the dragon's head. This intensive process taught me so much about building structure, experimenting with materials, and trusting the creative journey. By the end of the week, I had completed about 75% of the piece and laid the foundation for what would become one of my most ambitious creations. 

When I brought the piece home, the final stages of transformation began. I started by sealing the entire sculpture to protect the underlying materials. Then, I carefully applied spackling to create a textured, stone-like surface that added depth and character. Once the texture was set, I moved on to painting—layering colors to make the dragon look aged and weathered, as though it had stood stoically in a forgotten garden for decades. To complete the effect, I added mossy accents, bringing the piece to life with an organic, timeless feel. 

Finally, I had to decide how to display this piece for upcoming local markets. I wanted it to feel dynamic, as if it were emerging from somewhere magical. That’s when the perfect idea struck—a suitcase! By stacking multiple vintage suitcases, I created the illusion of a stone creature breaking free from Newt Scamander’s magical suitcase in Fantastic Beasts. The display not only complemented the dragon’s mystical vibe but also added an interactive element that captured visitors’ imaginations. It was a hit!!!

For me—this dragon is now a constant reminder of how creativity builds upon itself, what I learned about my own strengths and weaknesses, and how I will take those lessons forward in everything I create.

5 Tips for Sculpting a Dragon Head Bust

1. Start with a strong armature. When planning out your sculpture, sketch it life-size to ensure your measurements and proportions are accurate. These sketches will also guide you in creating templates for both the inner armature and the outer pieces. Once planned, use a sturdy base like wire or a wooden framework to build the basic shape of the dragon’s head before adding foam, clay or other materials

2. Pay attention to symmetry. When sculpting a piece as large as a dragon head, symmetry was one of the most challenging aspects for me. To tackle this, I made a habit of constantly stepping back and assessing my work from multiple angles. This practice helped ensure both sides of the head matched in proportions and details, creating a balanced and realistic final piece. It’s a process that requires patience, but the results are well worth the effort.

3. Experiment with sculpting techniques. As I learned while building this piece, there are many ways to approach a sculpture of this scale. You can use additive techniques, like when I added foam horns to the dragon head, or subtractive methods, such as carving thick foam to shape the jaw and snout. Each approach offers unique advantages. Experiment with both to see what works best for you, and don’t be afraid to combine techniques for the most effective results.

4. Test paint colours. Before painting the sculpture, test your colour choices on scraps. Through trial and error, I discovered this step is invaluable after trying two earlier iterations—a fully silver dragon and a fully gold spray-painted version—neither of which fit my vision. These mistakes cost both time and materials. A quick patch test ensures you can refine your choices and achieve what you're going for before committing to the entire piece.

5. Plan your display before building. Think about how your sculpture will be displayed before you start building. I learned this the hard way when I realized I hadn’t fully fleshed out my display plan at the start. Fortunately, it turned out to be a happy accident—the base I created fit perfectly into one of the vintage suitcases I had on hand. That luck saved the day, but knowing what I know now, I’ll always plan this step ahead of time. Considering the pose, scale, and base design early on will ensure your finished piece integrates seamlessly into its environment, whether for markets, personal decor, or creative displays.

Bringing this dragon head to life was one of the most rewarding projects I’ve ever tackled. Its bold design and intricate details capture the strength and mystery of these mythical creatures, and I can’t wait to explore more dragon-inspired creations in the future.