Blade-of-the-Moon's Art

[stargatedalek]

Looks awesome mate!

What species is the head of?

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

They look menacing..,  i like it. 

Thanks!

Looks awesome mate!

What species is the head of?

It's ol' Terrible Claw himself...based on the newest skeletal evidence too.

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

Question: Best place to find a good standing Quetzalcoatlus skeletal?

Planning to use the CollectA one for a 3D model..unless there is a reason I shouldn't?

[Halichoeres]

I'd check Mark Witton's books, but there's also this:

http://www.reptileevolution.com/dorygnathus-azhdarchidae.htm

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

I'd check Mark Witton's books, but there's also this:

http://www.reptileevolution.com/dorygnathus-azhdarchidae.htm

I'd purchase one if I knew it was in there..what I need that is. I just don't have much funds to get them all.

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

I found this one :


But it looks a lot different than all other reconstructions I've found.

[triceratops83]

Is the Quetzalcoatlus going to be full adult size?

[Yutyrannus]

I found this one :


But it looks a lot different than all other reconstructions I've found.

Yeah, I don't think using David Peters' skeletals is the best idea. The best Quetzalcoatlus skeletal I know of is this one by Mark Witton:

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

Is the Quetzalcoatlus going to be full adult size?

Nah, close to 11'...I don't think that's full adult.  It has to fit on a trailer for transport. The days of us doing really big dinos is about past..just gotta do the Stegosaurus when we get some funding. Might able to build a Brachio if we get money, a crane, some help..ect..

I found this one :


But it looks a lot different than all other reconstructions I've found.

Yeah, I don't think using David Peters' skeletals is the best idea. The best Quetzalcoatlus skeletal I know of is this one by Mark Witton:

That one looks more like what I was going for..wrong pose but that's fixable.

The CollectA figure seems a good one to base it on too. Reviews are positive aside from the bent beak which I can account for and fix in mine.
http://dinotoyblog.com/2015/01/22/quetzalcoatlus-with-alamosaurus-prey-collecta/

[Halichoeres]

I don't see it online but here is a page out of Witton's book. The leftmost figure isn't Quetzalcoatlus, but another azhdarchid (apparently pelvic material isn't known from Quetzalcoatlus, so any skeletal you see would be based on Zhejiangopterus anyway). If you like I can take it to work and scan it properly.

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

I don't see it online but here is a page out of Witton's book. The leftmost figure isn't Quetzalcoatlus, but another azhdarchid (apparently pelvic material isn't known from Quetzalcoatlus, so any skeletal you see would be based on Zhejiangopterus anyway). If you like I can take it to work and scan it properly.

That would be most helpful! Thank you.

I have another question regarding Deinonychus..well two actually.

Firstly, is the "kicking pose "still a possibility? Considering trying it. Second, I'm seeing Deinonychus reported as 11' long. However when I use Scott's skeletal, replica skulls, ect..everything averages around 8' long ?

[Patrx]

The most up-to-date hypothesis I've encountered for the use of Deinonychus' hypertrophied claws is what's been called the "raptor prey restraint" model, whereby they're used to grasp and pin down prey while the jaws pull it apart for consumption. Here's the paper (Fowler et al. 2009): http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0007999

There's not much kicking involved - here's an illustration of the model by Emily Willoughby:

I'd say it's best to go with around 8' if that's what Scott's skeletals are telling you. Wherever the 11' measurement is coming from, it's likely to be less current than his.

[Halichoeres]

That would be most helpful! Thank you.

How very odd, the photo link didn't work in that post. But I'll scan the page tomorrow at any rate.

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

The most up-to-date hypothesis I've encountered for the use of Deinonychus' hypertrophied claws is what's been called the "raptor prey restraint" model, whereby they're used to grasp and pin down prey while the jaws pull it apart for consumption. Here's the paper (Fowler et al. 2009): http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0007999

There's not much kicking involved - here's an illustration of the model by Emily Willoughby:

I'd say it's best to go with around 8' if that's what Scott's skeletals are telling you. Wherever the 11' measurement is coming from, it's likely to be less current than his.

Ah, ok. I always liked that attack pose with the foot raised in the air..but I know there has been some talk about dromeosaur predation strategies that might conflict with it. Would kicking even be possible I wonder? It could be a defense against a larger predator?  If not the head is already in a roaring pose so maybe stalking/signaling to others would work?

The skull is about 30cm in Scott's skeletal, Paul's in his PFG is about the same but he lists it as 11 feet as well as many other sites..kind of odd.

That would be most helpful! Thank you.

How very odd, the photo link didn't work in that post. But I'll scan the page tomorrow at any rate.

I was a little confused there..but it will help I'm certain. Just whether or not my skill is up to it is another thing.. 

[Halichoeres]

Here are two scans from chapter 25 of Mark Witton's Pterosaurs. First, a not-to-scale posture comparison between an azhdarchid (Zhejiangopterus, on the left) and other pterosaur lineages. Quetzalcoatlus is of course larger, but would have had a similar posture.


And a color illustration in the same chapter of Hatzegopteryx (almost identical in most respects) in case that helps.

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

Thanks bud! That's great!

Wow..I'm sure I could for a full 1:1 version..that head would be so massive..I've no idea what I could use other steel and fiberglass to pull it off..two materials I don't have much experience with. :/

[Patrx]

Hmm. Maybe you could reconstruct it with more dense pycnofibres on the neck? You could make the neck itself thicker and more structurally sound that way. Maybe something like this illustration by RJ Palmer?



As to Deinonychus kicking, I don't think there's good reason to think they couldn't do it, even if it wasn't a primary predation behavior. Maybe a defensive move?

[Halichoeres]

No problem!

As for material, maybe you could take a page out of Kayakasaurus's book and make a piñata version...

[Kayakasaurus]

This looks like an exciting build! Bending electric conduit is an idea we've tossed around for a 1:1 dino armature or skeletal art. I have experience with fiberglass and resin if your interested in some pointers  it's pretty easy as long as you wear gloves. it's also extremely durable and strong. I think I'm going to do a life size myself... Probably start with foam board and paper mâché.

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

Hmm. Maybe you could reconstruct it with more dense pycnofibres on the neck? You could make the neck itself thicker and more structurally sound that way. Maybe something like this illustration by RJ Palmer?



As to Deinonychus kicking, I don't think there's good reason to think they couldn't do it, even if it wasn't a primary predation behavior. Maybe a defensive move?

I do like the pose of that one..and considered it but thought the more upright version would be more..intimidating. Also to add those fibers..would be a lot of cutting out..something I'm trying to move away from ..like with feathers  and do painted on feathers. The vinyl ones I've done in the past like with the Struthiomimus..seem to not hold paint as well and they chip so it needs repainting almost twice a year.  The Velociraptors have them but they are indoors so no elements to effect the paint.

Deinonychus, after talking to Scott I think it's best I don't try it. He gave me an example and to stand on one foot and kick out with any kind of effect "Raptor-style" doesn't work well. If might be a bluff defense..but then I'd need something in the area with it to act on.  I think I'm going to have it running toward a tree and furry little mammal looking down at it.

No problem!

As for material, maybe you could take a page out of Kayakasaurus's book and make a piñata version...

Just about all our dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures have to last outdoors 365 days a year...while a pinata version would be cool I need this guy/girl strong.  I'm also hoping to save the head design and make a flying version eventually we'll wire up into the air.

This looks like an exciting build! Bending electric conduit is an idea we've tossed around for a 1:1 dino armature or skeletal art. I have experience with fiberglass and resin if your interested in some pointers  it's pretty easy as long as you wear gloves. it's also extremely durable and strong. I think I'm going to do a life size myself... Probably start with foam board and paper mâché.

I've done some research on fiberglass..but the main problem I have with it is I seem to pretty allergic. I cut the stuff and I need a face mask, gloves, long sleeves and I still end up itching.. it's really annoying.  I'm hoping to make a plywood cut out and then make it three dimensional...I'll reinforce the neck with 2x4 and steel poles if I can before adding the wire musculature.

E. Annectens progress: