Angie is the first Dinosaur I designed for the Park. Angie’s arrival was timed to Celebrate Augustynolophus become California’s Official State Dinosaur in 2017. I provided the Artist with Scale Drawings and several Hadrosaur references to assist in Angie’s creation. Unfortunately, it turned out that I was not dealing directly with the Artist that created Angie. As a result, Angie has a couple of features that are not in accord with my scale drawings. In addition, I will never know exactly what was provided or the conversations that took place with the Actual Artist to make Angie.
So, if you decide to have someone make a Dinosaur for You: Make sure you meet the Artist and see their work. Do they have a style that might influence your design positively or negatively? Can they bring Your Vision to Life? Bottom Line – Can they make what You want? Before I mention the areas where the Artist strayed from my designs, “Angie is Very Much Loved at the Park”. Even though the Artist’s drawing on the pavement reflects an appropriate neck length, Angie’s neck is rather long for any Hadrosaur. I tell visitors she’s just special in that area, as humans vary in size & shape. Her horn resembles the teenage Lambeosaurus whose pose I used for Angie (inspired by “The Paleoart of Julius Csotonyi Dinosaurs, Sabre-Tooths and Beyond”). Again, stressing the importance of direct conversations with the Artist. I resolved this issue with paint. Nutmeg reflects the actual shape of the horn. I used Aubergine for the rest to represent a webbing like the Parasaurolophus, which is often illustrated with and without a webbing connecting the horn to its neck. There is not currently evidence to suggest the Augustynolophus had such a webbing. However, Like I have said “Angie is Special”!
What Color were the Dinosaurs? Skin impressions have been found suggesting a pebble or scaly texture. Some Paleontologists believe the Dinosaurs were drab shades of grey or green allowing them to blend into their surroundings. These paleontologists believe the color of modern-day elephants and rhinoceroses confirm their theory.
However other Paleontologists say the opposite is true, that Dinosaurs skin could have been shades of purple, orange, red, even yellow perhaps with pink & blue spots! Rich varied colors may have helped Dinosaurs to recognize each other and attract mates. Research has shown that Dinosaurs closest living relatives’ birds can see in color. It is believed Dinosaurs could too! As with birds Dinosaur males may have been more colorful than the females. The Dinosaurs at PaulsPrehistoricPark.com believe these Paleontologists have it right.
In January 2010 a report was released from studies that begin in 2008 regarding Sinosauropteryx. This is the first Dinosaur fossil to have its color scientifically established! “Dino Fuzz” refers to the hair like filaments on Dinosaurs. These filaments contained fossilized melanosomes that provide pigment – color! The study indicated that Sinosauropteryx’s tail was striped with chestnut to reddish brown tones. Melanosomes have been found in all shapes and sizes which revealed that feathers of nonflying, winged Dinosaurs were a rainbow of colors.
Melanosomes provide the colors of the feathers. However, the type of barbs in the feathers can increase the intensity of the color. The consumption of carotenoids in seeds and fruit that birds eat determine the color of their feathers as with Cardinals & Gold Finches. A bird’s health can affect the absorption of the carotenoids and therefore the brightness of their color. In addition, some feathers are luminescent like humming birds. The angle of light reflecting from them can significantly changes their shade of iridescent colors of Bright Red, Green and Orange to Black. The Green-feathered Turaco actually evolved to make its own “Green” pigment.
Why all this color you might ask? Because Birds can see colors. They can even see ranges of color humans can’t. Many can see in the ultraviolet range. The color of a bird can indicate its health as well as making it more attract to a mate. Since dinosaurs are ancestors of birds it is believed they had the same abilities to perceive colors. This adds to the evidence that Dinosaurs were brightly colored vs. drab shades of green & grey. Therefore, Angie will receive more Bright Colors in her Makeover. “Dinosaurs New Visions of a Lost World” by Michael J. Benton is a great book for current information on what we believe Dinosaurs looked like.
Stay Tuned for more of Angie’s California Colors Make0ver & Dinosaur Fun Facts!
Join Us on July 13th at the Camarillo Library for
Dinosaur Fun Facts & Fiction Followed by a “How to Draw Dinosaurs” Activity!
Join Us July 20th at the E.P. Foster Library in Ventura for
Dinosaur Fun Facts & Fiction Followed by a “How to Draw Dinosaurs” Activity!
Our first scheduled In-Person Events since COVID. We’re very excited. Be Safe Wear a Mask.
Museums have reopened with Limits on Guests, Social Distancing & varying Mask requirements to keep Visitors Safe while They Enjoy Their Learning Experience. Consider a Membership with the Museum. In addition to Supporting Their Valuable Work there are Benefits to You. Special Preview Events for Members Only as well as Virtual Access Exclusive for Members. For more information and access to general public eLearning check out the links below.
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County www.nhm.org under Research & Collections / Digitized Collections will allow you to browse their Collections. Check out the latest Activities on their site.
The American Natural History Museum www.amnh.org You will find eLearning for Families, Students & Educators. Explore the Museum Virtually. Check Out SciCafe: Video Talks and Meet the Icons: Stories behind the Exhibits! There are Video Series covering Behind the Scenes at the Museum with Space & Dinosaur Explainers.
Chicago’s Field Museum www.fieldmuseum.org You can talk to “Maximo the Titanosaur” online, Yes Really! Visit Sue the largest T-Rex discovered! Check Out “Brain Scoop” and the Learning Resources – many are also in Spanish.
Check Out Your Libraries eBooks. My local Library has over 900 eBooks on Dinosaurs! Here are four books for Drawing Dinosaurs that you might find at your Library. Ask your Librarian about others.
1-2-3 Draw Dinosaurs and other Prehistoric Animals A step by step guide by Freddie Levin (2001)
Draw 50 Dinosaurs and other Prehistoric Animals by Lee J. Ames (1977)
Draw it Dinosaurs by Patricia Walsh (2006)
I Can Draw Dinosaurs by Terry Longhurst (2003)
Stay Safe & Well.
Please Remember to Wear Masks & Social Distance as Appropriate Not everyone has been Vaccinated. And even vaccinated many Young & Old have compromised immune systems. Protect Yourself, Friends, Family & Everyone You Pass!
Thank You!
I used watercolors to make Dinosaur Designs on my N95 Masks (New Ones above). I couldn’t get a yes or no from 3M regarding any impact this might have to the effectiveness of the mask. Many Museums sell Dinosaur Themed Masks Check them Out!
“Encouraging the Appreciation of Art and Education through the Inspiration of Dinosaurs”
Paul & Prehistoric Pals
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