For the thread - how about a half-clear sky and the other half with a grey cloud-like overcast with a rain of silvery threads? Remember they fall in clumps, not straight like rain. Then the massed dragons/riders could meet the fall at the edge, cutting swaths with fire. Another thought I just had - how about a ground scene with stacks of firestone and riders feeding their dragons in preparation - the cloud of thread could be far off in the distance. I can't think how to do the harness situation for the riders though. Would have to be painted, but the arrangement of straps could be difficult.
More books by her son? That's terrific! He'd co-wrote some of the later ones, so I can completely see him taking over the series.
More books by her son? That's terrific! He'd co-wrote some of the later ones, so I can completely see him taking over the series.
I just found the info on Wiki: [link]
Oh thanks! I've not read some of those. A trip to the bookstore or Amazon is in my future I can see 
We have Sinterklaas here, but I put all kinds of art materials on my wishlist. Don't you have that gift stuff at Christmas?
Yes. Good idea - I'll add them to my wishlist at Amazon for my daughters to get for me! I've asked my husband for a Wacom tablet
Ah, you see, so much to think of, and I only started last Friday. I noticed one dragon in the mandatory stock which had some spikes near its beak, which made me think of holders for the firestone sacks. I tried to fit a rider on one of the dragons but had trouble to manipulate it in a natural pose, (if you can consider riding a dragon natural 
)
It was some 10-12 years ago when I read those stories, so I forgot what the tread actually looked like, I had clouds of red, whirly rain-like stuff in mind, but you're right, it was more like silver. It remember the red star had something to do with it.
I really need to re-read the books again!
Do you know the novels by Robin Hobb? Those are ones that once you've finished them let you have trouble adjusting to the normal world again... I would not suggest to read part 2 of the Soldier Son Trilogy when you want to loose some weight, at least I gained some when reading it...
)It was some 10-12 years ago when I read those stories, so I forgot what the tread actually looked like, I had clouds of red, whirly rain-like stuff in mind, but you're right, it was more like silver. It remember the red star had something to do with it.
I really need to re-read the books again!
Do you know the novels by Robin Hobb? Those are ones that once you've finished them let you have trouble adjusting to the normal world again... I would not suggest to read part 2 of the Soldier Son Trilogy when you want to loose some weight, at least I gained some when reading it...
I was having some issues with that a few weeks ago for something else I was doing, so I rendered a dragon and rider to try different poses. [link]
So nice if you know how to work with those 3D software, I never got the hang of it except for Terragen, but that is landscapes.