More details are in planning for Mattie. Her Flag needs a Prehistoric Concept – a Dragonfly! Dragonflies go back 325 Million Years Ago. During the Palaeozoic Era in the Late Carboniferous Period through the Late Permian Period the Meganisoptera glided over the waterways. With a 30 inch Wingspan this Dragonfly would have been a sight to see. Below my left thumb is at 30 inches on the measuring tape. I don’t think I would be happy if a Meganisoptera landed on me! These large wonders were lost in the Permian – Triassic Extinction 252 Million Years Ago. This was just before Dinosaurs began to roam the Planet, otherwise they might have made a nice snack for a young T-Rex. This Extinction killed off 96% of marine life, 70% of terrestrial vertebrates and 57% of insect biological families / 83% of all their genera.
Dragonfly Photo by Andre’ Karwath own work
Dragonflies are fast agile fliers sometimes migrating across oceans. They often live near water in larva & adult stages. They are symbols of Courage, Strength & Happiness in Japan. But have sinister representations in European Folk Lore. Their Bright Colors & Agile Flight are admired in the poetry of Lord Tennyson and in the prose of H. E. Bates.
Wikipedia provided much of the information and some great pictures of dragonflies to inspire my project.
I made a number of sketches for how to paint the dragonfly body on the flag. I’ve added a little prehistoric imagining of my own for the mouth to increase the scare factor. I needed some sturdy plastic to make the wings. After an unsuccessful search at an Arts & Crafts store, I remembered the heavy plastic packaging for my paint brushes. It turned out to be the perfect choice for making the Dragonfly Wings. I love to recycle.
An X-Acto Knife and Scissors were the Tools for cutting out the Wings. I used the X-Acto Knife to make Line Details in the Wings, as well. With a 2B pencil I made a sketch of how I wanted to paint the Dragonfly Body. Hammered Black covered parts of the FIag to provide emphases on the Dragonfly. Gloss Real Orange for the compound Eye with Sunburst Yellow for great body accents. The Apple Red Metallic gives the tongue extra shine. Gloss White makes the Teeth. I tried wiping the wings with mineral spirits and rubbing in a little Apple Red Metallic to add some transparent color found on many dragonflies. I’m not 100% with the results I’ll give the idea more thought before attaching the Wings to the Body.
Stay Tuned for Still more to Mattie’s Evolution and those Rambunctious Raptors!
If You would like help drawing Dinosaurs, check out Your Library online for eBooks! Don’t have a Library Card? Many Libraries can provide a Library Card Online and have Staff Available by Phone to Walk You through the process too! Here are 4 eBooks that can help You master drawing Dinosaurs & other Prehistoric Pals. Check Out Your Library Online for others.
Drawing Dinosaurs – How to draw dinosaurs for absolute beginners – How to Draw Series by Adrian Sanqui
Draw-A-Saurus by James Silvani
Draw 50 Dinosaurs and Other Prehistoric Animals by Lee J. Ames
Dinosaurs and other Prehistoric Creatures You Can Draw by Nicole Brecke
My First Book “Is a Metal Dinosaur the Right Pet for You?” is Available as an eBook on Kindle through Amazon.com!
Included are two photos of Prehistoric Pals converted to black & white line drawings for You to express Your Color Imagination! Search online for print options on Your device. Print Screen, Cropping & Printing are available on many smart phones. Your smart phone may even allow You to email Your Print Screen to Yourself allowing even more options before printing. Kindle has an app for smart phones!
I would love to see Your Color Visions for Dominic & Raphael! Use crayons, pencils, pens, or watercolors! Attach feathers, glitter whatever brings them to life for You. Send a picture of Your Colorized Imaginations to: paul@paulsprehistoricpark.com It could be in a future post!
I will keep You posted with information on my Next eBook “The Shy Triceratops”. I hope to have Paperback versions available later this year.
Check out eLearning options online with Your Local Library & Museums across the Globe!
www.Readingtokids.org has a number of eBooks and YouTube videos with Authors Reading their Books. Craft ideas are demonstrated online as well! The Zoom Reading to Kids Events have been a Great Success. We All look Forward to when We can Safely resume the In-Person Events.
Stay Safe & Well.
“Encouraging the Appreciation of Art and Education through the Inspiration of Dinosaurs”
Paul & Prehistoric Pals
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