WEYRWORLD

Cover illustration for All the Weyrs of Pern by Anne McCaffrey

Nov 04, 2024

With wings spread wide, a white dragon perches on a rocky spire that rises out of cloud cover. Its legs are set unevenly as it gains a hold. Viewed from behind, a rider is saddle-mounted with legs straddling its neck. A handful of other dragons and riders are gathered on similar peaks for a conference in the clouds. The valley wall as seen only in the distance meanders across the horizon. Two large crescent moons hang in a hazy blue sky. — WEYRWORLD (1990) Acrylic on Watercolor Board - 27" x 36"

My schedule was booked up many months in advance, so Del Rey Books commissioned me to do this cover before the book was even written. They outlined the plot of All the Weyrs of Pern for me, and the author, Anne McCaffrey, gave me a scene she had written, which she suggested I use as inspiration for the cover.

IN THE CARGO HOLD (1990), Acrylic on Illustration Board - 9” x 13 ½”. Alternate preliminary concept for WEYRWORLD featuring a white dragon in the hold of a spaceship looking out a a viewport to a planet and moon — IN THE CARGO HOLD (1990), Acrylic on Illustration Board - 9” x 13 ½”

Before I started work on the preliminary concepts, I had a dream about this scene. It resembled what you see here except that there were no trees. Anne liked the idea and gave her okay.

Preliminary concept for WEYRWORLD featuring a white dragon perching on a rocky peak rising above the cloud — Preliminary concept for WEYRWORLD

But since I often second guess myself, not believing that my first idea can possibly be the best, I did several alternate concepts. Though I had some other good ideas, I kept coming back to the one from my dream.