Son of Man
235-son-of-man-dixon - A surreal science fiction landscape featuring a semi-transparent, translucent humanoid figure looking toward a powerful, vertical beam of light that strikes a circular pad on a rocky desert terrain. In the background, a massive orange star or planet dominates the horizon, overlaid with a swirling, energetic spiral galaxy or nebular vortex. The environment is characterized by craggy rock formations, flowing liquid patterns on the ground, and a deep blue upper atmosphere. cover for Robert Silverberg novel, acrylic and gouache, 1988
225-charons-ark-dixon - A dramatic, illustrative scene depicting a prehistoric landscape populated by a large sauropod dinosaur amidst lush, dense foliage. In the foreground, two human figures armed with firearms navigate the overgrown terrain. The background features a space elevator that connects to an artificial sun on the planet's moon. cover for novel by Rick Gauger depicts a dinosaur sanctuary on Pluto. Published by Ballantine Books in 1987. acrylic and gouache.
227-universe-between-dixon - This surreal, symbolic science fiction illustration features a transparent, levitating three-dimensional cube floating above a churning blue ocean. Each visible facet of the cube reveals a different cosmic or planetary reality: the top face shows a detailed spiral galaxy swirling in deep space, the rear-facing panel depicts a desolate, canyon-carved desert world under an orange sky, and the bottom face glows with a brilliant, molten golden energy from which a single human hand emerges, reaching upward into the center of the geometric volume. In the background, a lush terrestrial coastline with dramatic forested cliffs and misty waterfalls sits beneath a bright blue sky filled with scattered white clouds. cover for novel by Alan E. Nourse, acrylic and gouache, 1986
224-antares-dawn-dixon - This complex astronomical illustration features a busy orbital sector populated by advanced space exploration hardware. In the center foreground, a massive interstellar vessel equipped with a large, spoke-supported centrifugal habitat ring and clusters of spherical fuel tanks or cargo modules angles sharply away from the viewer, revealing a trio of powerful main engine thrusters. In the lower left, two astronauts on a spacewalk maneuver near the surface of a detailed orbital shipyard or larger space station structure. The background is dominated by a heavily cratered brown moon, a distant green gas giant, and the violent, fiery corona of a massive exploding star in deep space. Cover for novel by Michael McCollum, acrylic and gouache, 1986.
219-i-robot-dixon - This tender and narrative science fiction illustration depicts an intimate moment between a young child and a benevolent machine. In the lower-left foreground, a sleek, reflective chrome-plated robot sits cross-legged on a patch of dark earth, looking up toward a young, curly-haired girl in a pink dress with white lace trim who stands with her hands clasped in delight. The background features a rustic playground with wooden logs and an earthen sandbox, transitioning into a sweeping green pasture and distant rolling hills beneath a vast, dynamic blue sky filled with towering, bright cumulus clouds. cover for classic Asimov anthology featuring a babysitter guided by the Three Laws of Robotics. acrylic and gouache, 1985
223-final-circuit-dixon – This dramatic science fiction illustration depicts a massive wheel-shaped space station undergoing a catastrophic structural failure in deep space. One side of the station's large habitat ring is violently exploding into a jagged mass of tearing metal, illuminated by a brilliant orange and red blast radius. A small, wedge-shaped scout ship or escape pod is seen fleeing the disaster near the station's central command spire, while a peaceful blue planet and a turbulent, colorful background nebula provide a stark cosmic backdrop to the destruction. cover for novel by Melinda Snodgrass, acrylic and gouache, 1987.
222-into-the-maelstrom – a ship plunges toward a black hole in this cover for a computer game. This dynamic astronomical illustration depicts a highly detailed scientific exploration vehicle maneuvering through a dense and chaotic asteroid field. In the foreground, the complex spacecraft accelerates forward, its powerful twin engine thrusters projecting a brilliant white and blue exhaust trail into deep space. The background is dominated by a violent celestial maelstrom—a swirling, turbulent accretion disk of vibrant orange and red gas where intense bolts of blue cosmic lightning crackle between drifting fragments of space debris and rocky planetary matter.
221-winds-of-change-dixon - cover for Asimov anthology depicts a bald eagle witnessing the departure of the last humans from earth. This symbolic science fiction illustration features a prominent bald eagle perched on a gnarled, weathered tree branch in the foreground, looking out over a coastal landscape at sunset. In the background, a massive, vertically oriented colonial transport vessel or interstellar spacecraft hovers on a brilliant cushion of white light above a sprawling, futuristic architectural facility situated on the water's edge. The dramatic sky transitions from deep blue at the zenith to vibrant orange near the horizon, where a distant sun sets behind soft, scattered cloud layers beneath a pale crescent moon. Acrylic and Gouache on illustration board, 1985.
220-orbiting-callisto-dixon - This detailed astronomical illustration depicts a complex, nuclear-thermal or ion-propelled exploration spacecraft traveling in a close parking orbit above the heavily cratered surface of Jupiter's moon Callisto. The spacecraft's intricate engineering features a large main engine nozzle, structural trusses, reaction control thrusters, and a prominent parabolic communications dish directed outward. In the deep space background, the massive banded gas giant Jupiter looms large against a dense field of stars, flanked by another small, distant Galilean moon. cover for "The Early Asimov: Book Two" acrylic and gouache, 1985
218-fires-of-nuala-dixon – This narrative science fiction illustration depicts a grand, futuristic celebration on an extraterrestrial world. On the left, a massive, brutalist stone structure features arched openings that reveal a crowded ballroom shimmering under cascading golden light installations. In the foreground, a blonde woman in an elegant white gown stands on a terrace holding a glass, overlooking a reflecting pool and a blazing fire pit, while a dramatic pink-to-blue twilight sky is filled with three large, detailed crescent moons rising over distant mountains. cover for novel by Katharine Eliska Kimbriel, acrylic and gouache, 1988
216-Tides-Of-Time
216-tides-of-time-dixon – This narrative science fiction illustration features a high-tech amphibious craft or hydrofoil vessel navigating a rocky, sea-carved inlet. In the lower right foreground, a man and a woman stand on the rocky shore looking out at the vessel, which projects a brilliant orange searchlight beam with a sharp horizontal lens flare. The rugged coastline is marked by tall, heavily weathered ancient columns and distant stone ruins, all situated under a turbulent, swirling cloud deck illuminated by a full moon. cover for John Brunner time travel novel; acrylic and gouache, 1984
215-fire-sanctuary-dixon –This atmospheric astronomical landscape shows a distant sun setting over an expansive alien ocean, casting a brilliant golden shimmer across the water. On the rugged, rocky coastline in the foreground, a dark robed figure walks along a path split by a glowing blue energy fissure, heading toward a massive natural stone archway built into the craggy cliffs. Topped by a burning beacon and ancient stone pillars, the sanctuary overlooks a sky containing three pale, cratered moons hanging within a soft orange-to-teal gradient twilight. cover for "Fire Sanctuary" by Katharine Kimbriel depicts a radioactive world whose inhabitants' castes are based on genetic integrity, acrylic and gouache, 1986
214-tower-of-glass-dixon – cover for Robert Silverberg novel; This symbolic science fiction illustration features an arched, golden-bordered viewport looking out onto a futuristic megastructure and starscape. Dominating the frame are two human hands extended toward each other in a composition echoing Michelangelo's The Creation of Adam, positioned directly in front of a brilliant star radiating six large diffraction spikes. Below, an immense, segmented vertical tower ascends from a sprawling futuristic city of domes, glass spires, and technical facilities built along a coastline under a glowing planetary horizon. acrylic on illustration board, 1989
202-tintagel-dixon- fanciful visualization of the legendary birthplace of King Arthur. This stylized fantasy illustration features a fortified stone castle perched precariously on a rugged, dark cliff overlooking a calm sea. In the sky, an enormous, textured gold moon dominates the center of the composition, hanging low against a striking, uniform red gradient twilight. On a distant headland across the water, two tiny silhouettes of mounted figures on horseback add a sense of Arthurian mythos and scale to the dramatic, starkly lit coastal landscape. Gouache on paper, 1974.
108-Rhiannon
108-rhiannon-dixon – twin moons approach a doomed alien world ; This evocative science fiction illustration depicts a lone blonde woman in a white gown standing amidst the crumbling stone ruins of a classical, colonnaded structure on a cliffside overlooking a churning ocean. Crashing waves spray against the weathered terrace, framed by massive columns and fractured stone archways. In the pale blue sky above, two cratered moons hang , suggesting an alien world with powerful tidal dynamics. acrylic on board, 1978
201-nemesis-dixon- a starship orbits a world of Barnard's star, This high-fidelity astronomical illustration showcases a complex orbital view of an Earth-like planet with a sweeping, detailed atmosphere of swirling cloud layers caught in low-angle sunlight. In the foreground, a highly detailed modular spacecraft with a spherical command hull, trusses, and radiator panels travels in a low parking orbit. On the horizon, a massive, turbulent red dwarf star eclipses a dark companion world, casting an intense orange glow across the limb of the primary planet's atmospheric boundary and highlighting dense background nebulae in deep space. cover for the Isaac Asimov novel, acrylic and gouache, 1989
173-Quasar-Xmas
173-quasar-xmas-dixon - This whimsical astronomical illustration depicts a festive Christmas scene enclosed within a transparent life-support dome on a frozen extraterrestrial world. Inside the dome, a decorated Christmas tree with glowing lights stands among evergreen conifers on a patch of illuminated grass, contrasted against the snow-covered, rocky terrain outside. The dark alien sky features two cratered moons and is dominated by a spectacular, active spiral galaxy with a brilliant, energetic quasar radiating prominent diffraction spikes at its core. acrylic and gouache, 1992
105b-et-horse-dixon – fanciful view of an imaginary world in which giant moons crowd the sky ; This speculative illustration presents a variant of an alien world landscape under a dramatic celestial alignment. In the foreground, a white, horse-like quadruped grazes on a grassy hill, framed by overhanging tree branches and broad leaves. The midground features a winding river spanned by a small futuristic bridge, leading back to a stepped stone fortress on a rocky cliffside and a distant waterfall. The horizon is dominated by massive, cratered planetary bodies rising into a deep blue-to-tan twilight sky. acrylic on board, 1979
085-data-mountain-dixon – allegory on civilization's efforts to store information , from clay tablets to futuristic crystals ; This conceptual illustration depicts an archaeological cross-section of human data storage, structured like a stratigraphical mountain. The foundational base features ancient clay cuneiform tablets and stone inscriptions buried in desert earth, which transitions upward into layers of papyrus scrolls, bound hardcover books, and magnetic open-reel tapes. The summit transitions into modern digital media—including a colorful compact disc, 3.5-inch floppy disks, and hard drive platters—all crowned by a glowing vintage computer monitor set against a digital cityscape under a deep blue sky. acrylic on board, 1981
226-nine-princes-dixon – Nine Princes in Amber - cover for classic Roger Zelazny novel ; A grand medieval castle with prominent stone towers stands elevated above a dense green forest, positioned beneath a low layer of red-tinted clouds. A massive, heavily cratered orange moon dominates the background sky, casting a warm glow across the scene. In the foreground, a detailed silver sword with an ornate basket hilt floats horizontally, its blade gleaming with a brilliant starburst reflection, while a small figure on a white horse can be seen on a path near the bottom edge. acrylic and gouache, 1987
228-foundation-trilogy-dixon - cover for classic Asimov novels about a galactic empire, starships battling over planet Terminus ; acrylic and gouache, 1985
229-crucible-of-time-dixon - cover for John Brunner novel about an alien civilization's struggle to survive cosmic catastrophes ; The curved hull of a massive alien generation ship dominates the foreground, revealing multi-level interior ecosystems, structural support beams, and green bio-zones through its large observation windows. In the deep space beyond, two highly detailed planetary bodies float before a violent, expanding supernova. At the heart of the energetic blue and magenta gas tendrils, a brilliant stellar remnant emits a powerful, four-pointed flare. acrylic and gouache, 1983
231-rocket-to-limbo-dixon - A sleek, copper-toned rocket plane banks sharply over a jagged, snow-dusted mountain range, its engines emitting a bright orange glow. Nestled within a deep, blue-shadowed canyon below is a floating alien city comprised of intricate spires, domes, and interconnected towers. The horizon is bathed in a warm orange sunset, where a red dwarf sun rises through scattered cloud banks alongside two smaller crescent moons. cover for Alan E. Nourse novel, 1986, acrylic and gouache.
232-antares-passage-dixon - cover for novel by Michael McCollum, starships assemble in earth orbit while supernova Antares glares in distance. A large, wheel-shaped space station dominates the foreground in low orbit . The station features a detailed central hub, structural spokes, and a prominent gold communications dish, with a smaller cylindrical spacecraft maneuvering nearby. In the background, a brilliant red giant star with prominent diffraction spikes shines intensely against a dark starfield rich with deep blue and magenta interstellar nebulae, while a cratered moon hangs to the right. acrylic and gouache, 1987
233-saphire-road-dixon -A complex, multi-tiered futuristic rocket ship launches from a lush green landscape, kicking up vast plumes of smoke and fire as it ascends on landing legs turned thrust deflectors. In the foreground, a straight blue road reflects a brilliant star from the sky, cutting through verdant vegetation toward a distant, sprawling cityscape nestled against low hills. The vibrant blue sky features multiple planetary bodies, including a massive crescent planet with detailed surface features partially obscured by low-altitude clouds, a secondary ringed or cratered moon, and a distant third satellite. cover art for Whynne Whiteford novel, acrylic and gouache, 1986
234-space-race-dixon - two spaceships launch from an asteroid in this video game cover, circa 1984, acrylic and gouache
236-assassins-gambit-dixon - A warrior clad in traditional samurai-inspired armor stands in the foreground on a textured, metallic platform, gripping a drawn katana with a gleaming edge. Behind him, an open bay door reveals a lit interior walkway where two figures stand, set against a vast landscape of craggy mountains and low-lying clouds. The sky is dominated by a massive, pale orange star flanked closely by two large crescent moons, with a towering, slender space elevator structure rising from a high-tech facility directly into the upper atmosphere. Cover for novel by Robert Forstchen, Samurai heroes are brought into the future to battle in an alien war, 1988, acrylic and gouache
237-400-billion-stars-dixon – An explorer in cold-weather attire stands amidst a rugged, alien shoreline, looking toward a colossal, active star that dominates the horizon. The turbulent surface of the celestial body glows with intense solar flares and convective cells, casting a brilliant orange and golden light across swirling clouds, a liquid channel, and a distant, multi-towered citadel rising from an island. cover for Paul McAuley novel, 1987, acrylic and gouache
238-the-alexandrian-ring-dixon – cover for William Forstchen novel, Alexander the Great is snatched into the future to battle on a ringworld ; acrylic and gouache, 1988
239-number-of-beast-dixon – A sweeping speculative landscape shows a yellow brick road winding through a lush green countryside toward a distant, futuristic emerald city shrouded in low mist. Above the valley, a mechanical pterodactyl glides through a bright blue sky, while a small white starship maneuvers in the lower right foreground with firing thrusters. Cover for The Number Of The Beast by Robert A. Heinlein, featuring the Lowellian Mars, Oz, and fast and dangerous machines ; acrylic and gouache, 1988
241-starship-port-dixon - Three large, spherical mechanical starships with intricate greebled hulls hover above a deep canyon hangar built into a craggy, cratered asteroid surface. In the lower left, a small utility vehicle maneuvering with a bright exhaust plume approaches the lit entrance of the subterranean port facility. The background features a turbulent, multi-colored nebula shifting from deep blue to bright orange, crackling with energetic white lightning discharges across the starfield. cover for "Procyon's Promise" by Michael McCollum, 1985, acrylic and gouache
242-lifeburst-dixon - cover for Jack Williamson novel in which a ring of satellites encircles the earth in the far future, acrylic and gouache, 1984
244-still-river-dixon - A surreal science fiction scene depicts a large, translucent planetary sphere resting on a rocky coastline where water flows out from its base into an ocean. Inside the glowing sphere, an astronaut in a spacesuit floats alongside a cylindrical space capsule or probe within a narrow, craggy canyon wall environment. Above the sphere, a brilliant star emits a powerful horizontal and vertical lens flare against a turbulent, deep purple and blue cosmic nebula filled with distant stars. cover for Hal Clement novel about a mission to the core of a giant comet, acrylic and gouache, 1988
245-trouble-on-titan-dixon - A spaceship transits the Saturnian moon Titan as the sun flares through its dense atmosphere. The entire scene is set against a vibrant, dense starfield and blue nebula background. cover for Alan E. Nourse novel, acrylic and gouache, 1987
246-proteus-dixon - An intricate, realistic space probe flys near an artificial moon and a massive, banded gas giant planet, encircled by a sweeping, golden-brown ring system. A bright sun peeks out from behind the edge of the gas giant, casting a strong flare across the rings and illuminating the detailed structural hardware, solar panels, and long instrument booms of the spacecraft. cover for novel "Site of Proteus", features alien ship in Saturn's rings, acrylic and gouache 1988
249-retiefs-war-dixon - A dramatic science fiction scene centers on a man in a flight suit looking upward from a circular command dais or viewing portal. Through the large circular window structure, an explosive celestial battle unfolds against a fiery red nebular backdrop, contrasted sharply by a massive, swirly blue gas giant planet and its small mechanical moon hovering directly above. The foreground features a detailed spacecraft interior with illuminated console displays, geometric metal decking, and mechanical controls surrounding the observer. cover for "Combat Command" role-playing game based on Keith Laumer novel, acrylic and gouache, 1988
250-janisaries-dixon – A classic science fiction scene blends historical and extraterrestrial motifs, featuring a bearded soldier in ornate ancient Roman armor, helmet, and a red cape standing on a rocky path with a spear and short sword. Behind him two disc-shaped flying saucers hover, projecting down vertical beams of bright white light over a dense green forest and an ancient stone wall structure. acrylic and gouache for role-playing "Combat Command" game based on Jerry Pournelle novel. acrylic and gouache, 1988
254-battle-cruiser-dixon.– A dramatic science fiction space battle unfolds above a heavily cratered, molten volcanic landscape. In the foreground, the complex mechanical hull and engine structures of a large starship dominate the lower right perspective. In the middle ground, smaller spacecraft engage in combat, marked by bright, energetic explosions bursting along the ridge of the cratered surface, all set against the massive backdrop of an immense, glowing orange star. cover for role playing novel, for Berkley Books, acrylic and gouache, 1987
252-lucid-dreaming-dixon – A surreal, minimalist composition features a stark rectangular opening set into a vast, deep blue architectural plane. Looking through this portal reveals a dark starfield dense with varying sizes of distant stars. In the upper right corner of the window, a highly detailed, luminous human eye gazes outward from the darkness. book cover. - acrylic and gouache painting by Don Dixon for Jeremy Tarcher. 1985
247-awakeners-dixon – The Awakeners - cover for Sheri S. Tepper novel about intelligent avian aliens. An alien landscape depicts a winged, avian-humanoid creature perched atop a rugged, purple-hued rock spire high above a sea of low-lying clouds. acrylic and gouache, 1988
470-shaman-dixon – Alien shaman attempts to drive away human colonists in this cover for Paul McAuley's novel "Of the Fall". An alien landscape unfolds under a vibrant blue sky featuring a large, heavily cratered moon and a smaller companion satellite in close conjunction. On a hillside covered in red, grass-like vegetation, an indigenous extraterrestrial figure sits beside an gnarled tree, holding a stylized staff near a small skull resting on the ground. In the distance, a coastal shoreline curves toward a dense city featuring prominent observatory domes, while a plume of smoke rises from a wildfire on the forested slopes nearby. acrylic on illustration board, 1989. © 2007 Don Dixon/cosmographica.com
265-saturnian-city-dixon – This vertical astronomical illustration depicts futuristic, bubble-enclosed floating cities suspended high within the multi-layered atmosphere of Saturn. The primary habitat in the foreground rests atop a slender, vertical structural shaft, its transparent double-dome shield enclosing a gleaming metropolis illuminated by an internal central spire. Far above the swirling, colorful atmospheric bands of cream, violet, and deep blue clouds, the majestic white rings of the gas giant cut diagonally across a crisp, azure sky where two small, pinpoint moons are visible. cover for Michael McCollum novel about a city floating amidst the clouds of Saturn, acrylic and gouache, 1994
266-transition-dixon – This surreal science fiction illustration features a large exploratory spacecraft with twin cylindrical fuel tanks and dish antennae firing its thrusters near a blue, cloudy planet. In the deep space background above the planet, a massive, multicolored cosmic rift resembles a psychedelic, flame-like Mandelbrot fractal pattern. The intricate anomaly glows with vibrant shades of orange, yellow, magenta, and electric blue, distorting the surrounding starfield. cover for Vonda McIntyre novel, fractal-like intelligent nebula hovers behind starship and earthlike world, acrylic and gouache, 1990
267-shivering-world-dixon – Shivering World, cover for Kathy Tyers novel about colonists' efforts to terraform a planet. This dramatic science fiction illustration portrays a highly specialized exploratory aircraft maneuvering low over a frozen, geologically volatile planet. The terrain below is a high-contrast expanse of icy, deep blue craters and fractured glaciers, while active volcanoes on the horizon erupt with massive plumes of dark ash and smoke. A pale, distant sun hangs low in the golden atmosphere, ringed by a faint halo as heavy storm clouds close in from above. Acrylic on illustration board, 1993.
268-brain-world-dixon – This surreal astronomical illustration features a giant, organic planet or celestial entity shaped like a human brain, complete with detailed gyri, sulci, and branching red blood vessels across its surface. A brilliant, blue-white star bursts from behind the planetary limb, casting a intense flare and illuminating a thin atmospheric edge. The left half of the composition opens into a vast, dark field of interstellar space populated by faint nebulae and distant star clusters. acrylic and gouache, 1984
269-the-gods-themselves-dixon – This detailed astronomical illustration depicts a bustling lunar base situated within a rugged, cratered valley on the Moon. To the left, a large, ringed experimental machine or energy collector glows with an intense, starburst center, casting a warm light across the gray lunar regolith. On the right, a multi-level facility with solar panels and a hangar door is built directly into a steep crater wall, where two astronauts stand on a nearby ridge observing a half-illuminated Earth hanging in the deep, star-filled black sky. Cover painting for Asimov novel "The Gods Themselves" about a parallel universe. Acrylic, 1993. © Don Dixon
271-flare-star-detail-dixon – This horizontal astronomical illustration provides a detailed view through a sleek, curvilinear spaceship window frame, focusing closely on an extreme stellar environment. A heavily cratered planet hangs in tight orbit against a background dominated by the turbulent surface of a massive flare star. Wispy, iridescent tendrils of solar plasma and energy fields swirl across the canvas, shifting from cool indigo tones on the left to intense, roiling salmon and cream hues on the right. acrylic and gouache, 1992
272-flare-star-dixon – This dramatic science fiction illustration portrays a blonde woman in a blue flight jumpsuit gripping a small dagger inside a spacecraft interior. She looks back with an anxious expression as a large, circular observation window reveals a violent stellar event outside. A massive flare star or red dwarf erupts with roiling plasma filaments, casting a fierce orange glow onto a purple, cratered planet orbiting close to the volatile stellar surface. Unused cover of novel Flare Star, girl caught in mutinous uprising is poised to defend herself, flare star in background. acrylic and gouache on Lintex panel, 1992.
275-parallel-universe-dixon – This striking science fiction illustration presents a bisected cosmic view representing two contrasting alternate realities divided down the center by a jagged energy tear. On the left side, a healthy, blue-and-white Earth-like planet orbits under a brilliant yellow sun nestled within a vibrant, star-filled nebula. The right side mirrors the same planetary position, but depicts a hostile parallel universe featuring a scorched, crimson planet with geometric, technology-scarred ruins beneath a dying red giant star and a dark, blood-red void. Unused sketch for cover of Asimov novel "The Gods Themselves", acrylic and gouache, 1990
277-moon-ride-dixon – concept art for theme park attraction, visitors swoop over lunar landscape in IMAX projection. This science fiction illustration depicts a train of interconnected, spherical transit modules cruising close to the heavily cratered surface of the Moon. The modular transport pods feature transparent viewports showcasing passengers inside as they look out at the ancient, pitted celestial body. In the deep black background, a vibrant blue Earth hangs suspended amid a dense field of distant stars. acrylic and gouache, 1992
278-nightfall-dixon – This dramatic astronomical illustration captures a total solar eclipse occurring over an alien planet with a multiple star system. A stone observatory tower stands perched on a rocky, forested ridge to the left, overlooking a vast wilderness landscape under a deepening twilight sky. The eclipsing body is ringed by a brilliant diamond ring effect and a dense, glittering swarm of nearby stars, revealing the stars that are normally hidden by daylight. Cover painting for Asimov novel "Nightfall" about a world with multiple suns on which darkness falls only once every thousand years. Acrylic on illustration board, 1993.
280-Terraformed-Moon
280-terraformed-moon-dixon – earth shines above a Moon that advanced technology has rendered habitable, This astronomical illustration presents a view from the surface of a terraformed Moon, looking across a vast, brilliantly lit metropolis built into a lush, green landscape. A prominent central canal cuts through the urban grid, leading toward a brilliant tower or energy beam that shoots vertically into the twilight sky. High above the atmosphere, a detailed, cloud-swirled Earth hangs in the starry sky. acrylic and gouache, 1994; © Don Dixon
285-mars-camel-dixon – genetically engineered camel adapted for life on a Mars that has been given a barely breathable atmosphere. This evocative science fiction illustration depicts a rider on a camel traversing a rugged, rocky red Martian landscape under a salmon-pink sky. In the midground, a massive transparent geodesic biodome encloses a lush, green oasis city featuring ornate, golden-domed architecture reminiscent of traditional Middle Eastern design. Two crescent moons, representing Phobos and Deimos, hang in the upper atmosphere above the protected colony structure. Cover painting for "Crescent in the Sky" by Donald Moffitt, acrylic and gouache, 1989.
286-crashlander-dixon – This dramatic science fiction illustration centers on a pilot inside the transparent bubble canopy of a spacecraft cockpit, observing a cataclysmic cosmic event. In the background, a massive, swirling accretion disk of a supermassive black hole or active galactic nucleus glows intensely with golden, orange, and magenta hues. A powerful relativistic jet of high-energy particles erupts vertically from the core of the spiral structure, illuminating the surrounding interstellar gas clouds and starfields. Cover painting for Larry Niven novel about a journey to the galactic core. acrylic and gouache on Lintex board, 1994.
289-green-mars-revised-dixon – This panoramic science fiction illustration showcases a partially terraformed Mars, focusing on a deep canyon system filled with liquid water and burgeoning plant life. A massive natural mesa stands at the center of a wide river bend, its red rock face excavated into a glowing, multi-tiered habitat city. In the distance, a bright sun or meteor streaks across a hazy orange-and-blue atmospheric horizon, while the foreground reveals a misty, conifer-forested ridge under a deep blue sky. Cover art for Kim Stanley Robinson novel Green Mars about effort to terraform Mars. Acrylic and gouache, 1997.
288-slowyear-dixon –Stopping at Slowyear. cover for Frederick Pohl novel about colony planet whose environment proves fatal to visitors. This vertical science fiction illustration contrasts high technology with pastoral life on an alien world. In the upper portion of the frame, a sleek, white spacecraft with swept-forward wings cruises through the upper atmosphere of a blue planet, framed by a brilliant, multi-pointed star rising or setting over the planetary limb. Below, a pillar of golden light descends through a break in the clouds, illuminating a verdant mountain valley where a lone shepherd tends to a flock of animals along a winding river. acrylic and gouache, 1992
290-greenhouse-ny-dixon – A whimsical look at the good side of global warming, as New Yorkers enjoy sun and surf. This speculative illustration depicts a future New York City deeply altered by the greenhouse effect, resulting in a tropical climate and significant sea level rise. Modernized, sleek skyscrapers and automated transit tubes dominate the background, while classic Manhattan architecture, such as the Chrysler Building, is nestled among the newer mega-structures. In the foreground, a sandy beach lines the edge of the elevated ocean water, populated by city residents relaxing under palm trees as small sailboats cruise nearby on the deep blue water. 1981, acrylic and gouache on masonite.
565-cyborg-cover-art-dixon – A stylized, Vitruvian-inspired male figure stands inside a circular portal, split down the center to reveal a human side and an intricate bionic side filled with mechanical circuitry, robotic limbs, and exposed wiring. The circular frame features an iridescent, metallic rainbow sheen, overlooking a view of green treetops at its base. Inside the portal, three distant planets float against a deep space background filled with a swirling pink and purple gas nebula. packaging art for video game, 1981, acrylic and gouache. Collaboration with Chris Dellorco.
293-sails-of-tau-ceti-dixon – a gigantic light sail casts its shadow on the distant earth in this cover for the Michael McCollum novel. A cylindrical interstellar spacecraft travels through deep space, propelled by a massive, circular light sail constructed of concentric metallic rings. A powerful beam of light from a distant star or laser array strikes the center of the sail, creating a brilliant golden glare and throwing off long, reddish diffraction spikes across the cosmos. Below the transport vessel, the blue, cloud-veined Earth hangs suspended against a dark, dusty nebular background studded with stars. ; acrylic and gouache, 1992
295-victorian-mars-dixon – A soldier in a colonial-style blue uniform and pith helmet fires a ray gun from the mouth of a rocky cavern to fend off predatory, Martian creatures. In the background, a large, metal steampunk-style vessel floats nestled among desert rocks under a vibrant blue-to-purple twilight sky. Two heavily cratered moons hang closely together above the horizon, over a Martian canal, completing the retro-futuristic planetary landscape. The illustration served as the cover art for the role-playing game Space: 1889, released in 1990 by MicroProse and Paragon Software. ; acrylic and gouache on paper
296-lunar-cave-dixon – An astronaut in a bulky spacesuit stands at the entrance of a rocky lunar cavern, stepping onto a rough, debris-strewn surface. The jagged edges of the cave mouth frame a striking vista of deep space, where a large, beautifully detailed Earth hangs suspended against a field of stars. A bright beacon glows intensely at the top of the astronaut's helmet visor, casting a faint light on the immediate surroundings. Cover painting for Mission Asteroid computer game, 1981, acrylic and gouache, © Don Dixon
299-space-elevator-dixon – Space Elevator made of unimaginably strong materials rises 22,000 miles above the equator, providing easy access to space. A trio of massive, interconnected space elevator conduits extends from a lower orbital vantage point directly down toward the surface of the Earth. A sleek, delta-winged shuttle or climber craft with long aerodynamic extensions ascends along the central track, illuminated by a bright, golden lens flare at a structural junction. In the background, the vibrant blue planet reveals North and South America beneath swirling white cloud formations against a dense starfield. Featured on the cover of "The Fountains of Paradise" by Arthur C. Clarke. © 2007 Don Dixon / cosmographica.com
a supernova blazes behind a doomed earthlike planet in this cover sketch for Asimov's "The End of Eternity." A heavily cratered lunar surface occupies the foreground under a scene of catastrophic cosmic destruction. Just above the horizon hangs a blue, cloud-covered world resembling Earth, directly positioned in front of a cataclysmic stellar explosion. A massive supernova erupts behind the blue planet, blasting turbulent clouds of brilliant orange, red, and golden gas outward into a dense field of distant stars. acrylic and gouache 1992
315-moon-ride-2-dixon – conceptual art for theme park ride into galactic black hole. A modular, multi-segmented transport vehicle cruises past a massive, highly detailed accretion disk swirling into a central black hole or active galactic nucleus. The sprawling cosmic disk transitions from deep crimson on its outer fringes to brilliant orange, white, and electric blue nearer the center. A powerful relativistic jet erupts perpendicularly from the core, blasting bright beams of energetic material and star-like clusters into deep space. acrylic and gouache, 1993
317-samsung-storyboard-montage-dixon – storyboard for ride through the universe theme park ride in Korea. This image is a twelve-panel storyboard grid arranging dynamic scenes of cosmic phenomena, space exploration, and futuristic environments. Individual panels depict diverse astronomical subjects including a public plaza orrery at dusk, deep space galaxy clusters, a sleek crimson spaceship interior, asteroid belts near a bright star, icy cratered worlds, proto-planetary disks, active galactic nuclei with relativistic jets, colliding spiral galaxies, and dramatic stellar explosions. The collection forms a comprehensive visual narrative of astrophysical events and space science concepts. acrylic and gouache on illustration board, 1993, Don Dixon
318-samsung-planetarium-dixon – concept art for simulated night sky in theme park attraction. A couple walks down a stone path into a clearing surrounded by dense trees during twilight, where a group of people has gathered around an outdoor architectural feature. At the center of the plaza sits an elaborate, illuminated orrery mechanism depicting the Sun and various ringed planets. Above the tree line, a slender crescent moon hangs gracefully in a soft purple and blue evening sky. acrylic and gouache, 1992
319-seti-at-home-dixon – A single-story suburban house with illuminated windows sits quietly on a green lawn beneath an overwhelmingly detailed night sky dominated by a massive, tilted spiral galaxy showing a brilliant galactic core, intricate dust lanes, and sprawling star-forming regions. Near the upper edge of the galaxy's disk, a satellite galaxy peeks out from behind the Milky Way. This lonely house on the cosmic prairie is allegorical for the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. - digital painting by Don Dixon for Planetary Report. © 2007 Don Dixon / cosmographica.com
294-high-aspen-dixon –Skiers wearing protective suits and respiratory gear descend a snow-covered mountain slope on an alien world. In the background, a high-altitude outpost sits nestled into the craggy, snow-dusted peaks under a deep blue sky. A large, banded gas giant planet with a prominent ring system dominates the upper right horizon, accompanied by two small, faint moons. Commission for Powder Magazine. acrylic on board, 1979
361-alien-antenna-dixon – A massive, bio-inspired parabolic communications dish stands atop a craggy mountain ridge above a layer of low-lying fog. The antenna structure features illuminated perimeter lights and organic, flowing support pylons integrated into the dark rock formations, which are flanked by an adjacent glowing dome structure. Overhead, a dramatic, turbulent atmosphere of deep magenta and fiery orange clouds suggests a sunset or sunrise on an alien world. acrylic and gouache painting by Don Dixon, around 1996
373-atlantis-race-dixon _ pre-production rendering for Race for Atlantis, a Las Vegas theme attraction. A driver in classical, mythological attire guides a low-profile chariot boat pulled by a team of four finned, serpentine sea creatures through an urban waterway. The surrounding architecture features monumental stone arches, aqueducts, and ornate towers accented with glowing turquoise windows under a dim, purplish sky. A brilliant, horizontal beam of light cuts through the upper half of the composition, illuminating the classical stonework and splashing water. © 1997 Rhythm and Hues Studios
426-ocean-of-night-dixon – A spacecraft approaches a comet that is on a collision course for earth in this cover painting for Gregory Benford's novel "In the Ocean of Night." A detailed view of Earth, centered on the Australian continent, shows a bright comet or asteroid trailing a massive, luminous blue and violet ion tail across the orbital plane. In the foreground, a multi-stage spacecraft fires its main engine, leaving a glowing blue exhaust plume as it appears to track or intercept the celestial interloper. A small, gray moon hangs in the upper left quadrant, completing the cosmic tableau against a dense starfield. Digital painting for Warner Books, 2004. © 2005 by Don Dixon.
427-sea-of-suns-dixon – An interstellar ramjet leaves orbit above an earthlike planet of Barnard's star in this digital cover painting for the Greg Benford novel "Across the Sea of Suns." A long, slender spacecraft utilizing a Bussard ramjet skims high above the atmosphere of a vast, red-hued planet. The ship's forward intake glows with collected ambient particles, while its hollow, flared engine scoop structure projects a subtle blue beam outward to ionize the stellar medium. In the background, a turbulent red swarf star rises over the planetary horizon, casting an intense crimson light across the clouds and continents below. Digital painting for Warner Books, 2003. © 2005 by Don Dixon.
429-furious-gulf-dixon – A starship approaches perilously close to the black hole at the Milky Way's core in this digital cover painting for "Furious Gulf" by Greg Benford. An active galactic nucleus features a supermassive black hole surrounded by a highly energetic accretion disk spinning with concentric rings of blue, white, and orange matter. A powerful, luminous relativistic jet erupts vertically from the central singularity, piercing through the surrounding galactic plane. In the mid-ground, a small spacecraft with a bright engine trail maneuvers dangerously close to the swirling vortex of the central disk. 2004 for Warner Books. © 2005 by Don Dixon.
428-great-sky-river-mantis-dixon – The Mantis is a mechanical "anthology intelligence" who pursues the last survivors of the human race in Greg Benford's Galactic Center series of novels. A large, biomechanical entity with bulbous, segmented eyes and a blue metallic chassis dominates the foreground of a dark, rocky environment. On a jagged, deep purple crag in the mid-ground, two small human silhouettes stand observing the machine. The background reveals a brilliant, turbulent galactic core rich with golden dust clouds and clusters of bright blue stars.This was an unused cover sketch for Great Sky River. Digital, © 2005 by Don Dixon.
429-tides-of-light-dixon – An astronaut plunges along the local gravity field generated by a cosmic string that an alien race is using to mine a planet's core. Digital cover painting for "Tides of Light" by Greg Benford. 2004 for Warner Books. © 2005 by Don Dixon.
430-sunborn-dixon – Pluto's moon Charon and the distant sun shine in the sky above the outermost planet in this cover painting for "The Sunborn" by Gregory Benford. © 2005 by Don Dixon.
471-space-elevator-02-dixon – Powerful electromagnetic motors loft cargo carriers from the Island of Sumatra, on the equator, to geosynchronous orbit 22,000 miles up. A massive space elevator terminal base sits nestled within a lush, tropical coastline, extending multiple vertical tether lines high into a soft, cloud-filled sky. In the surrounding turquoise harbor, a large container vessel named "ANNA" is moored near an industrial dock equipped with a gantry crane and cargo modules, while a modern city skyline and a dome-topped coastal palace are visible across the water. The foreground is dominated by vibrant green fern trees and palm foliage, contrasting with the precise engineering of the elevator base and adjacent satellite tracking dishes. Acrylic and gouache, 1983.
209-nasa-sutra-dixon – lovers explore the possibilities of zero gravity. Inside a dimly lit spacecraft interior cast in deep blue shadow, two unclothed figures, locked in an intimate embrace, float against the brilliant, curved limb of the Earth below. The planet’s illuminated surface features detailed blue oceans and swirling white cloud formations, contrasting sharply with the dark, heavy folds of cast-off clothing in the left foreground of the cabin. acrylic and gouache on illustration board, 1979
427-great-sky-river-dixon –The chandeliers - huge space habitats - were humanity's last refuge before destruction by the Mech civilization. A massive, multi-ringed orbital space station with a long central tower axis floats in deep space, suffering a bright orange and yellow explosion on its outermost ring. Below the damaged complex, a small crescent planet hangs suspended against a chaotic background dominated by an expansive, fiery spiral galaxy. The galactic core burns with intense orange, gold, and white light, while turbulent dust lanes and brilliant blue star-forming clusters swirl through the outer spiral arms. Cover for "Great Sky River" by Gregory Benford. Digital painting for Warner Books, 2004. © Don Dixon 2005.
115-Commuter-Fantasy
115-commuter-fantasy-dixon – An elevated, multi-lane concrete highway system lies heavily fractured, overgrown, and crumbling into ruins within a dense, marshy forest landscape. Several glowing, translucent golden spheres float silently above the decaying infrastructure and surrounding wetlands, which reflect the bright light of a low sun on the distant horizon. The aerial perspective highlights nature reclaiming the abandoned transit corridors, creating a stark juxtaposition between past industrial engineering and speculative future phenomena. ; acrylic on board, 1979
287 - Red Mars
287-red-mars-dixon – Red Mars - A giant spacecraft assembled from discarded Shuttle fuel tanks orbits over Mars, having transported the first colonists to the Red Planet. This cover painting for Kim Stanley Robinson's award-winning novel about the terraforming of Mars is part of the Planetary Society's digital "Martian Library" on the Phoenix spacecraft, which landed in the arctic region of Mars on May 25, 2008. acrylic and gouache on illustration board, 15.5x19.5 inches, 1992; © Don Dixon
019-Space-Shuttle-2001
019-space-shuttle-2001-dixon – in an homage to Kubrick's 2001, a sleek, silver spacecraft with delta wings maneuvers in low Earth orbit. The vehicle is angled toward a double-ringed, rotating wheel space station visible in the mid-ground against the blackness of space. A large portion of the Earth’s limb occupies the left side of the frame, showing textured, bright blue oceans and complex white cloud patterns. Oil on canvas panel, 1970.
Green Mars Cover Painting
289-green-mars-dixon – cover painting for book two of the science fiction trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson. I began the painting in 1993 sitting outside Biosphere II in Arizona with “Bionauts” watching through the glass. There are hints of the Biosphere architecture in the painting. A vast Martian canyon landscape undergoes terraforming, featuring a winding river reflecting a distant, low-slung sun or atmospheric laser line, with alpine pine trees taking root along the rugged rocky cliffs and cold foreground slopes. A central vertical montage strip divides the composition, displaying six distinct science fiction scenes from top to bottom: a complex orbital space station, a high-altitude research glider soaring above an orange Martian atmosphere, an erupting volcano venting gases, an industrial terraforming plant with a cooling tower near biodomes, a heavy mechanical walking harvester or crane chassis, and a spacesuited explorer surveying a rugged, pinkish alien hillside. The wide right-hand side reveals an intricate habitat structure built directly into a massive cavern opening within a sheer canyon wall. acrylic on illustration board, overall size 17x21.5 inches, picture area 16x20.5 inches. 1995
Blue Mars
289b-blue-mars-cover-dixon – Blue Mars, cover painting for the third book in Kim Stanley Robinson's trilogy about the terraforming of Mars, shows the final stages of the transformation of Mars and the inundation of earth. acrylic and gouache on illustration board, 16.5x22.5 inches, 1995; copyright Don Dixon
374-Atlantis-Aerial
374-atlantis-aerial-dixon – A dramatic high-angle aerial view reveals a vast legendary city built in concentric rings of land and water channels, inspired by classical accounts of Atlantis. A central citadel topped with multi-tiered golden domes rises from the highest point, illuminated on one side by a brilliant, low-slung sunset that casts warm golden and orange light across the western half of the metropolis. The eastern districts fall into deep blue and violet shadows, creating a sharp tonal contrast across the elaborate network of stone bridges, aqueducts, colonnades, and classical temples that span the waterways. Pre-production art for Race for Atlantis, a Las Vegas theme attraction ; acrylic on board by Don Dixon ; © 1997 Rhythm and Hues Studio
208-Last-Launch
Last Launch - detail of Asimov cover "Winds of Change", bald eagle witnesses departure of starship © Don Dixon
230-encounter-dixon – A UFO hovers low over a rugged, snow-dusted alpine valley dense with evergreen trees. The vessel illuminates a rocky foreground ravine by projecting a brilliant, highly focused beam of white light directly onto a single human figure. In the background, a dramatic twilight sky is filled with high-altitude, magenta-tinted clouds, a crisp crescent moon, and bright stars above a distant mountain range. Cover for Whynne Whiteford novel Breathing Space Only, 1986, acrylic and gouache