Paleo Artists often work closely with Museums and their Paleontologists. This partnership helps the Artists to create the most realistic depiction of those incredible animals that lived so long ago. Paleo Artists study the bones for how Dinosaurs moved. Working with Paleontologists they can recreate the muscle tissue and skin and feathers making Dinosaurs & other Prehistoric Creatures come to life on the page. Other Artists rely more on imagination. I use 1/35 scale models to aid with my drawings, as well as images from books and online. Digital technology is fantastic for pictures that look as if they were taken on a Dinosaur Safari today! I have a few favorite Paleo Artists. Julius Csotonyi is great with digital media. His drawings and sketches are something I aspire. Check out his book “The Paleoart of Julius Csotonyi Dinosaurs, Sabre-Tooths and Beyond”. Another book “Mesozoic Art Dinosaurs and Other Ancient Animals in Art” edited by Steve White & Darren Naish presents Twenty other Paleo Artists worthy of investigating. Each one inspires.
If you would like a fictional story to go with your paleoart. James Gurney is an artist & author for you. I read his first story “Dinotopia” in the early 1990’s. He has written and illustrated many tales since. Alan Dean Forster wrote a couple of novels continuing the stories of James Gurney’s characters with illustrations by James Gurney. They all stand the test of time. Check out your Library for all of these books.
The Reading to Kids theme for September is “Arts & Creativity” the 4th grade book “13 Artists Children Should Know”. Di Vinci, Van Gogh, Monet and many others. The kids enjoyed the book and knew more about many of the artists than I would have thought. They had fun drawing their favorite subjects in their own style. I was inspired by the bright colors of Monet’s Waterlilies and Van Gogh’s Sunflowers. I decided to create Dinosaur themed flowers – Snapdragons, Ceratops Suns & T-Rex Lilies. Snapdragons that snap up insects. Ceratops Frills that Mimic Sunflowers. T-Rex Waterlilies that have a taste for Frogs. I think Monet would like my T-Rex Waterlilies. However, I wouldn’t risk an ear asking Van Gogh about my Ceratops Suns! Three years ago, I made a grouping of some Dinosaur inspired Flowers. Snapdragons were a favorite then too. Although I had them twisting like Mythical (or Undiscovered) Dragons. Plus, Triceratops Daffodils and a T-Rex style Tiger Lily were in the group.
Check out www.readingtokids.com they may be an organization you can support.
Stay Tuned for More Dinosaur Fun Facts, Fiction & Crafts!
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. Below are 3 of my favorites Museums. 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. Mark Your Calendar for the 9th Annual Dino Fest – Saturday September 21st!
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
“Encouraging the Appreciation of Art and Education through the Inspiration of Dinosaurs”
Paul & Prehistoric Pals
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