Calvin arrived at the Park with Hobbes in May 2018. I really liked their original colors. Unfortunately, the original paint was poor quality and started fading and pealing in less than 6 months. Hobbes has a special place in the house so his paint has maintained it’s luster. The first step in Calvin’s Bath is to remove the rest of the old paint. Make sure you read and follow the instructions for the paint remover and dispose of all cleaning materials per your local area requirements. Wear Protective Clothing and Gear. I wire brushed Calvin before applying the paint remover. Calvin’s head is rather large in proportion to the rest of his body making so a step stool aided in providing support throughout the makeover.
Rag Clothes were used to wipe off the Paint Remover and Clothes damp with Mineral Spirits for the cleanup. A second application of the Paint Remover was needed. After the final use of Mineral Spirits, Soapy Water removed the Mineral Spirit residue. A Spray Bottle of Water to rinse off the Suds. After all I’m trying to remove rust, so minimizing the amount of water is a good idea.
After Drying another Wire Brushing before the Acid Wash. Laying Calvin on his side made it easier to access the inside of his Legs for the final Wire Brushing and Acid Washing. Then upright to complete the Acid Washing. Now he will sit overnight before rinsing.
Since the discovery of Dinosaurs having Features, some Paleo Artists have gone overboard with their depictions of Dinosaurs covered with Modern Feathers. I have seen illustrations of raptors that look more like ducks, that you could feed at a pond vs. a dangerous predator. Fossils of Dinosaurs like Archaeopteryx, Microraptor and others reflect the imprints of Modern Feathers. In addition, Feather Quill Knobs have been found on Theropod Dinosaurs like Velociraptor, that suggests feathers or at least protofeathers.
Protofeathers would appear more like hair than a contoured feather of a modern bird. They were most likely for insulation. Therefore, young theropod dinosaurs would have been covered with them. As they grew older and much larger their need for this extra insulation would diminish. The climate temperatures where they lived would also impact protofeather coverage. Aside from the quality in preservation of a fossil, some reflect impressions of protofeathers covering an adult Dinosaurs entire body and some reflect little or none. I attached Modern Raptor Feathers to CG’s arm. In the photo with the T-Rex you can see the hair like parts at the bottom of the Hawk Feather. The proportions of the hair like feathers are hopefully close to what the would have been on a living T-Rex of the Cretaceous Period.
Stay Tuned for More on Calvin’s Makeover & T-Rex Fun Facts!
My First Book “Is a Metal Dinosaur the Right Pet for You?” is Available as an eBook on Kindle through Amazon.com
Only $3.99!
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 in 2021.
Museums continue reopening with Limits on Guests, Social Distancing & 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” with host Emily Graslie and the Learning Resources – many are also in Spanish.
Check Out Your Libraries eBooks. My local Library has over 900 eBooks on Dinosaurs! Libraries are reopening and many still offer “Curbside Pick-up. Here are three books for Drawing Dinosaurs that you might find at your Library. Ask your Librarian about others.
Dinosaurs! A Drawing Book by Michael Emberley (1980)
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)
“Happy 4th of July”
Stay Safe & Well.
Please Remember to Wear Masks & Social Distance as Appropriate – Not Everyone has been Vaccinated. Protect Yourself, Friends, Family & Everyone You Pass!
Thank You!
“Encouraging the Appreciation of Art and Education through the Inspiration of Dinosaurs”
Paul & Prehistoric Pals
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