The science and art of paleontology
A blog on dinosaur anatomy and reconstructing the appearance of prehistoric animals.
Well here we go. If you follow me on social media you’ve seen this teased, but I’m putting lips on all my non-beaked non-avian theropod skeletal reconstructions. So much for burying the lede, eh? Ah, but some of you may be wondering why I think they had lips? And what anatomical features I’m using for adding lips and other extra-oral tissues to my skeletal reconstructions? And why I’m doing it now? Let’s dig in to that…
Read MoreThis isn’t my upcoming theropod lip post(s), but it is good news for those of you who have asked for more content on the Skeletal Drawing Blog. It’s also good news for general usability of the website, and I’m taking a stand against ads that track you….
Read MoreNo, this isn’t about the ethics of skeletal reconstructions. Instead it’s a look at the hazards of drawing lines in scientific illustration, and something of a justification for the silhouette-bound skeletal drawing. There are some snippets on how to make better skeletal drawings yourself if that’s your thing. And perhaps of greater interest to many readers, it’s background for a major change coming soon to a large chunk of my skeletal drawings…
Read MoreLong-time dinosaur skeletal fans may recall that I undertook a long-term project of reposing all of my skeletals back in 2011. That year I managed to update all of my bipedal skeletals (theropods, “prosauropods” and some of the runtier ornithischians). In 2014 I followed that up by reposing and updating all of my sauropod skeletals. My armored dinosaur skeletals have gotten pose updates in a piecemeal fashion, but today I’m unveiling another major overhaul: Hadrosaurs…
Read MoreI realize that talking about Tyrannosaurus rex needs no further justification for most people (and what the heck is wrong with the rest of you, anyways?), but I just so happen to have such justification…
Read MoreAs some of you know, since summer of 2012 I have been sitting on an updated Utahraptor skeletal reconstruction I couldn't share. Since then the question I have probably been asked more than any other was "when I would be able to share the new Utahraptor skeletal?" Well, today is that day...
Read MoreFor paleoartists (and the scientists who work with them), properly restoring the skeleton is merely the beginning of the process, since the various muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues can make the final shape of an animal quite different than the skeleton alone. Most of the time this requires an extensive knowledge of comparative anatomy from living organisms, which we can occasionally test against occasional "mummy" dinosaur specimens with extensive soft-tissue preservation. With bird-like dinosaurs we have often been treated to preservation of their feathers and fluff, but not their skin or muscles...until today. Join me below the fold for a look at a truly amazing bit of soft-tissue preservation in Anchiornis.
Read MorePaleontologist and paleoartist Scott Hartman provides a wealth of anatomical data and skeletal drawings of dinosaurs, and information on how prehistoric animals looked in life.
