From the North (of China) came the furry tyrannosaurs

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

image by Andrey Atuchin

[Libraraptor]

It was just a matter of time when evidence for "feathered" adult Tyrannosaurs would be found. Yet I must admit I am really excited!

[Seijun]

This will make sculpting a tyrannosaurs SO MUCH easier! I hate scales ><

[SBell]

This will make sculpting a tyrannosaurs SO MUCH easier! I hate scales ><

Are feathers actually easier?

[Seijun]

This will make sculpting a tyrannosaurs SO MUCH easier! I hate scales ><

Are feathers actually easier?

OMG yes! As least, fuzz and protofeathers are! Everyone over in the art section seems to be able to sculpt scales like a pro, but I've tried half-a dozen different ways and I still cant get them right.

[Himmapaan]

I must say, I find fuzz and protofeathers 'easier' to sculpt than scales, too.

[Tylosaurus]

Oh how is that? Is that by drawing lines to shape up the furr or feathers, or would that be of a different reason?

As your arts go they all look very professional Himmapaan Not to be worried about that

[Seijun]

I use a blunt needle to shape fur and protofeathers.

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

This will make sculpting a tyrannosaurs SO MUCH easier! I hate scales ><

Are feathers actually easier?

OMG yes! As least, fuzz and protofeathers are! Everyone over in the art section seems to be able to sculpt scales like a pro, but I've tried half-a dozen different ways and I still cant get them right.

There are a lot of ways to do scales..I've seen stamps made that you can use for a pattern, I've even used a coffee stirrer for smaller projects. I used a hot knife to draw in irregular circles and shapes in my larger dinos..now that is time consuming...you could do a simple cross hatch pattern to show them though..bit quicker.

[Seijun]

I've tried stamps, carving scales, drawing scales in, even making scales with hollow bird feathers that have the tips cut off.... This is the best I can come up with, and I hate it: http://i887.photobucket.com/albums/ac72/Seijun/Misc/IMG_3044.jpg
Far too much space between each scale.

[tyrantqueen]

Does this mean now that any figure of Tyrannosaurus Rex made after April 2012 without feathers/fuzz will be given a negative review on the blog for being "inaccurate?

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

I've tried stamps, carving scales, drawing scales in, even making scales with hollow bird feathers that have the tips cut off.... This is the best I can come up with, and I hate it: http://i887.photobucket.com/albums/ac72/Seijun/Misc/IMG_3044.jpg
Far too much space between each scale.

Really ? That looks alright to me actually.  

I don't really see any space between the scales ?

[Seijun]

tyrantqueen: I would think not, since this discovery does not prove that tyrannosaurus rex had feathers, only that a *possible* close relative did. I think we could now go so far as to say that trex could very well have had feathers, but again... this does not prove beyond a doubt that trex was feathered. That's just my interpenetration anyway.

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

Does this mean now that any figure of Tyrannosaurus Rex made after April 2012 without feathers/fuzz will be given a negative review on the blog for being "inaccurate?

Agreed, I also wouldn't think so.  Like Seijun said they would need to find a Tyrannosaurus Rex with feathers for definitive proof..until you have that it's still speculation that Rex had feathers as an adult. I figure with or what is still acceptable right now.

[Tylosaurus]

Maybe the young Rex's had feathers to keep them warm, like chickens have down feathers and at a later age they lose their feathers, this is what I am thinking.

[tyrantqueen]

Maybe the young Rex's had feathers to keep them warm, like chickens have down feathers and at a later age they lose their feathers, this is what I am thinking.

That's actually what most scientists think these days.
I don't mind Tyrannosaurus with fuzz, but I like scaly Rex too. Part of the fun of collecting dinosaurs is not knowing what each animal looked like with absolute certainty, thus there is a certain amount of room for artistic license and personal interpretation....but then again I do have a scaly velociraptor in my collection  XD

BTW, am I weird for thinking this Rex is the most adorable thing ever? XD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rC3tITZl-Bo

[Tylosaurus]

awww cute Rexie <3 After the feathers I think a T-Rex would of had a hide much like that of an elephant for example

[tyrantqueen]

Oh, I thought it would have had scales like birds have underneath their feathers, like this swan's leg 


(Not my photograph)

[Tylosaurus]

Yeah you got a point there, since Birds are the descendants of the Dinosaurs, even Crocs like Monitors and snakes have scales too, I guess that does blend in

[Seijun]

Apparently, they also found fuzz on Y huali's feet. The illustrations I've seen so far have given him bare feet.

For reference, here is what feathers and scales look like together on living animals.





Why yes! I do love owl feet!