Dragons are born in New Zealand. It’s true! Thanks to the talented artisans at Weta Workshop, these amazing creatures come to digital life with astonishing detail.

Now, Weta has published a book that celebrates the creation of Smaug the Terrible, from Peter Jackson’s adaptation of Tolkien’s The Hobbit.

Here’s a page in which Weta Digital Senior Texture Artist Myriam Catrin talks about making the dragon look real:

Veteran Weta concept designers Gus Hunter and Paul Tobin provide commentary in this gorgeous spread:

Textures Supervisor and Creative Art Director Gino Acevedo talks about the brief from director Peter Jackson:

On Saturday, April 19, come to the Weta Cave in Wellington, New Zealand, at 1:00 p.m. Three of Smaug’s creators will be signing copies of the book Smaug: Unleashing the Dragon.

Joe Letteri – Senior Visual Effects Supervisor, Weta Digital
Eric Reynolds – Animation Supervisor, Weta Digital
Myriam Catrin – Senior texture Artist, Weta Digital

Otherwise, copies of Smaug: Unleashing the Dragon can be ordered from here.

Bad, bad dragon, that Smaug.

Does anyone care that he’s an endangered species?