That sounds adorable, but don’t think a few dots will do it. I’d start with a 4x4 grid for each scale, paint a tiny gradient, add a single pixel of light to hint at a seam, then manually add a little rust spot just to keep it alive. Keep each scale consistent, then throw in a rogue one here and there so you’re not just a bland cartoon. Trust me, the micro‑detail makes the whole dragon feel like a living thing.