Dragon

The head was the first element sculptor Nate created for this striking dragon piece. Starting with the head allowed him to establish the scale and proportions for the rest of the body. The brief called for a dragon with a dramatic, ragged appearance, its mane evoking the look of flickering flames. To achieve this, Nate forged thin, plasma-cut sections of steel into organic, leathery shapes, hammering and welding in ridges and divots to create the desired texture and tattered effect.

With the head complete, Nate moved on to the body, choosing a dynamic stance as if the dragon had just climbed a ridge and was peering over the edge. He constructed a rough steel frame to define the posture and structural foundation.

One of the major design challenges emerged during this stage: in order to fit the sculpture into the galvanizing tank, the wings needed to be detached. However, Nate was determined that no visible join lines should be left behind. To solve this, he integrated a box-section locating point within the frame. This allowed the wings to be slotted into place with precision, with bolts hidden beneath overlapping scales, maintaining the illusion of a seamless form.

The scales themselves were applied much like roof tiles, layered in such a way that the top scales overlapped those on the body. This technique ensured a smooth transition between the wings and torso, while also enhancing the sculpture’s rugged aesthetic. Each forged scale was carefully positioned and welded in place, a time-consuming but essential part of the process.

When it came time for galvanizing, the results exceeded expectations. The fine details in the dragon’s face, mane, and textured scales were all retained. Due to the sculpture's overlapping, enclosed construction, hot dip galvanizing was the only viable finishing method to ensure durability and long-term protection. As a bonus, the galvanized finish added a rich tonal quality that elevated the final appearance.

The completed dragon stands 7 feet tall, stretches 10 feet in length, and weighs approximately 450 kilograms, a dramatic, enduring piece of forged art.