The Raptors have received their first primary color Caicos Turquoise for Blue, Winter Shamrock for Alan & Charlie, In Mellow Yellow for Jadon. I used regular paint brushes for applying these colors to the Raptors. The size of the brushes 1 ½ inches to 2 inches wide worked best for me. I have mini 6 inch roller brushes. However, the size of these Raptors made regular brushes easier. Blue will receive darker shades of turquoise, blue & purple. Even though Alan & Charlie have the same primary color they will be finished differently. Jadon will have significant amounts of red, orange & black to complete his new look.
But first I need to study the Art of How to Paint Feathers. Research has proved most if not all theropod Dinosaurs were covered to various degrees in hair like downy feathers. Raptors have a distinctive pygostyle tailbone and attachment point for feathers. Quill knobs have been found on their forearms which are where feathers attach to ligaments on the wings of modern birds. This confirms Raptors had flight feathers. Many Paleoartists reflect Raptors of all sizes decked out completely in plumage looking like huge birds with sickle claws and sharp teeth. Although, they couldn’t fly clearly flight feathers on their arms would certainly have aided them with their leaps and bounds. Microraptor is believed to have been more of a glider than the continually flapping of it’s wings.
Image Thanks to Fred Wierum
Most of us are very familiar with Archaeopteryx & Microraptor, but did you know there were dinosaurs with wings like a bat? No, not Pterosaurs. Remember Pterosaurs are winged reptiles not dinosaurs. A group of small dinosaurs classified as Scansoriopterygid – Epidexipteryx (pigeon size) and Epidendrosaurus (sparrow size, previously called Scansoriopteryx) have forward slanting teeth and elongated third finger. This finger was first thought to be for skewering insects hidden in tree hollows. However, a new feathered dinosaur arrival at China’s Pingyi Museum in 2009 changed that thinking. In 2015 Xu Xing and his team published their findings naming this dinosaur Yi qi (ee-chee) meaning strange wing in Mandarin. The elongated finger supported a membrane like a bat or Pterosaur that allowed these dinosaurs to fly!
(Yi qi green, Epidexipteryx orange and Epidendrosaurus red)
Stay Tuned for More on the Raptor Makeovers, Dinosaur Crafts & Fun Facts!
Here are 3 of my favorites Museums. Remember Social Distancing & Masks to keep You & Others Safe while Everyone Enjoys 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. 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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