Monday, January 4, 2010

Megalosaurus 2010

Old version

New version

Recently a new paper has re-examined the first described dinosaur, Megalosaurus. Some of the changes appear to make the head much shorter and taller, unlike the longer Torvosaur like head used in the past. So based on that and one of those skeleton drawings with the flesh shadowed on the outside I decided to do a more modern drawing. After workin gon it for a bit I noticed that it looked a lot like an Abelisaur. Now I'm not saying it was, just that it had that sort of feel. Convergent evolution, an early attempt or something more? Spooky, yes?!

Up next a new Carontaurus and an explanation as to why I do the bumps I do;)
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6 comments:

  1. SpartanJanuary 5, 2010 at 11:12 AM

    Happy New Year Brett and Jess:D!
    So Megalosaurus have a new look?
    I remember in the book Predatory Dinosaurs of the World of Paul, said that megalosaurus are like abelisaurus and Spinosaurs are from dilophosaurids. The arms are shorter than the old version?

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  2. Marco MeredithJanuary 6, 2010 at 2:15 PM

    Your work on this blog is incredible, can you reccomend me any good books or easily aquirable papers on carnosaurs and other creatacious predators?

    Marco.

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  3. BrettJanuary 10, 2010 at 9:13 AM

    Hi Spartan,

    The new image was based off the new paper. I used and image I found on Theropoda (the link is in the blog list to the left;) just plug in Megalosaurs and there it is:))

    Most of the old ideas about theropod evolution have changed drastically since 88 when PDW was first published. Spinosaurs seem to be related to the Torvosaurs now, not Dilophosaurus. That may change if new specimens are found. It looks like the middle Jurassic will be the area that answers all the questions about who is related to whom... the problem, we don't have good middle Jurassic sights so no good fossils:(

    Marco,

    Thanks you:) I always recommend Predatory Dinosaurs of the World. It's simply the best book fo any theropod artist. I have heard the author is working on a new one, if this turns out to be true (I don't see why not since it's from Tom Holtz mouth;)) I will of course post about it:) I don't get very many papers sinc ethey usually cost money that I don't have to spend on them. BUT if you check out the blog list onthe left, Theropoda is written by a theropod paleontologist who also does some drawing. IT has th emost up to date stuf fon it so when a new animal is found I always head there and am rarely dissapointed.

    There is a book of Gregory Pauls' dinosuar skeletons that was publishe din Japan that I'm told is really good... I've seen it or been able to find a copy myslef but you can also go to Scott Hartman's website for skeletons as well: skeletaldrawing.com

    I hope that helps!

    Brett

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  4. mOOmJanuary 12, 2010 at 3:11 AM

    What's the reference for the paper? I thought Megalosaurus was closely related to the Spinosaurs that have long heads and arms, so this is interesting...

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  5. BrettJanuary 12, 2010 at 8:38 AM

    Hi mOOm,

    Here's the link to Andrea Cau's blog post, he'll have the reference there:)

    http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A//theropoda.blogspot.com/2009/11/eternal-sunshine-of-spotless-megalosaur.html&hl=en&langpair=it|en&tbb=1&ie=UTF-8

    Best,

    Brett

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  6. AnonymousMarch 5, 2010 at 2:35 PM

    I really love how you colour in, do you use Photoshop for coloring? also is it not too much to ask on how you do your coloring in? I'm trying out new ways of making my dinosaurs stand out and have more depth.

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