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Psithyrus — Clash of Titans
Published: 2010-08-01 20:53:00 +0000 UTC; Views: 16764; Favourites: 521; Downloads: 362
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Description
A micro-raptor and a scorpion find themselves at an impasse on a tree limb. The two appear to be thumb wrestling. Who will win? Who will get eaten? The dinosaur is a unknown species, perhaps a species of Microraptor or Sinornithosaurus. The scorpion is a venomous buthid that can climb small shrubs and trees. It must be thinking “ I can’t let you do that, Dave!”. A fun project, using a photograph of a small creek running through my property and a limb from a crape myrtle tree near my neighbors’ home. I used a crinkled paper bag and torn pieces of paper to get some reference for the flaking bark. It took longer to draw the branch than the dino and scorpion. I liked the effect of the loose lines. The original pencil drawing is placed in scraps. SilentRavyn’s “Microraptor” was the inspiration for my little dino.Thanks and hope ya’ll enjoy,
Blair
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Comments: 105
Neat little scene. Good consistency on the semi-transparent feathers.
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Hi MustardofDoom,
I love your DA moniker, and your portrait of toothless. I wish I had your skills with a camera.
The feathers of the little microraptor were originally an opaque brown, but I thought the strong light in the background should easily penetrate the primitive feathers of such a small dino. I used the airbrush mode in Photoshop to lighten the center of each feather, leaving the edges with slightly more pigment. I really liked the effect.
Thanks for the kind words,
Blair
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It seems to have turned out well.
The Toothless graffiti was directly based off of a source image linked on that submission, fyi.
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This one of the nicest paleo pix I've seen. Any tips as to the kind of digital brushes and tools you used, and the flow adjustments? Such excellent 'focus' on the critters and the branch, and perfect lighting and clarity of detail. You should submit this to Prehistoric Times magazine. They published my T.rex-Triceratops tussle a while back.
[link]
I've only recently gotten a Wacom, so any cool tips would be much appreciated!
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Hi P M.
Meeting Bigfoot is an impressive scene, the moonlight reflections really set the mood. I had also bought a WACOM Bamboo tablet just a few months ago. I don't think you will have any problems adjusting to digital art. As I learned and practiced with Photoshop, the easier digital painting became. The great thing about PS is if you make a bad booboo, it is easily reversed or corrected. I personally use the blur and noise filters alot, and I use very few brushes (airbrush and regular brush most of the time). I rarely use the brush tools at 100% strength and I like to use thin washes and increase opacity as I build up the painting. Its very similar to painting on a canvas, without the mess. The brush tool modes I use almost exclusively are "normal" and "overlay". Overlay allows you to increase the vividness of color; its akin to glazing in oil painting. Anyhoo, just keep practicing, I am getting better with each new piece. I still like to use traditional media to sketch out a painting.
Good luck and keep the artwork coming,
Blair
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Hi Blair,
Thanks a lot for the tips. Using the 'overlay' brush mode is something I hadn't though of, will try that for sure. I have several acrylic paintings on the go that I'm completing in P/shop with the Intuous. The level of photorealism you've achieved here is inspirational.
I'm starting a new scene with the initial sketching as digital. I've managed to get a reasonable 'lead pencil' effect happening. I'm already finding this to make composition much easier than the traditional way, being able to move, shrink or replace the various basic elements with ease.
Keep up the great work!
Pete M
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Hey fantastic work on this. i like the fluffied out feathers on it's tail signaling its rush of predatory excitement. That scorpion is a goner.
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Thanks Nathaneil,
Skryke is awesome as a juvenile and adult. Awesome designs.
Thanks for sharing and the kind words,
Blair
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Hehe, a great use of the title.
The dinosaur seems to be just playing around with the scorpion. Just like modern cats do.
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Thanks for the kind words Osvaldo,
He's a young dino, who is still exploring the word around him!
All the best,
Blair
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All which makes perfect sense. And makes the picture even more tender and heartwarming.
And also boosts my belief that, if dinosaurs coexisted with humans, every girl would like to have a feahtered cat-er... microraptorine.
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I think your right! I like to see the bright side of life, that includes the antics of dinos.
Thanks,
Blair
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Hey, that's outstanding! And thanks for faving my dino tussle!
[link]
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Your very welcome, I love photorealistic painings with lots of action
Best wishes,
Blair
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I bet the feathers would be of some protection against a dangerous food item like that. Lol, thumb wrestling.
Another fantastic and super- realistic piece and I love the info you're giving.
And thanks so much for the fave.
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That's a neat idea, feathers could also offer protection from venomous and parasitic bugs. That gives me an idea for another drawing.
Thanks,
Blair
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Indeed. I wonder if they had the habit of 'ant-bathing' like some modern day birds do?
Also, I was wondering about the fact that it seems some dinosaurs actually nested, as in keeping their egg clutches warm using their own body warmth like birds do. If they were feathered, they'd need a hairless patch on their bellies for their skin to come into contact with the eggs, don't you think?
You're welcome.
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Is this real?
Like just about everyone else commenting, I thought someone had accidentally put a photo in the group!
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Thanks WinGuru,
I was going for a photographic look to the scene, I can't believe I did something right! I thought the background and branch was a little rough though. I used random tools and brushes to mimic different textures, many of the results were purely accidental.
Thanks for the kind words,
Blair
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this is an absolute beauty. I tought it was a photomanipulation!
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Wow!
I'm glad you noticed my little picture. Actully, your microraptor picture was the impetus for drawing a microraptor. I also loved the facial expression of your microraptor. I thought I'd give my little monster a grimacing look also. I did use many photos as references; and I really like the fact that all the tools and brushes in photoshop make almost anything possible when painting digitally. I should have have bought a pen and tablet sooner.
Thanks,
Blair
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thankies ^_^
Raptors are awesome
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Thanks Felix,
I think a little beast like this must have lived at one time. I was trying to give the picture a photographic feel, I am glad many people got the same vibe.
Cheers,
Blair
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Well if you wanted us to believe you have got some time machine you have succeed 
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Looked like a well done taxidermy/model from the thumbnails, if that says anything
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Thanks Neo,
Your right, I never looked at it like that. It does look like a stuffed bird and scorpion glued onto a branch and someone took a picture. I painted the fuzzy blotches of leaves in the background to give the picture the feel of a closeup photo.
Cheers, and I almost forgot, I really enjoyed your automotive art; Cars was one of my favorite Pixar (Disney?)films.
Blair
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Well, I didn't mean for my comment to be so..."IT LOOKS FAKE"...but as in I thought it was a really REALLY well done taxidermy. Serious. I was even more stunned when I expanded it and saw you DREW it! "HELLS yes!" I thought
Aw, dude. Thanks! Glad you enjoy them 
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Thanks,
That's what I like about computer art; you can adjust the lighting many times when painting. I really liked you griffin, it has given me some ideas for my griffin painting.
Thanks,
Blair
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Cool! I can't wait to see what you do with your griffin ideas!
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Amazing! Love the attention to detail.
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Thanks Tricia,
I'm happy you liked it.
Cheers,
Blair
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Thanks Kas,
Your picture of Marahoote growing is great, it's neat to see how feathers grow on baby birds.
All the best,
Blair
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Your raptors are fantastic, this one is especially photorealistic. Love the cheeky and hyper pose and expression, awesome!
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Thanks ZhaKrisstol,
and I really appreciate the invite to join Raptors4ever.
Many many thank you's,
Cheers,
Blair
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Beautiful microraptor. The detail in the feathers is wonderful. I think he looks more curious than anything.
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Thanks Elsa,
I'm glad you noticed he is a boy! I gave him brighter plumage. I suppose bird-like dinos may behave very much like modern birds, at least I would like to think so. Your right, he does have an inquisitive gaze. If I could animate him, he would be quickling flicking his head and making some chirping noises.
Thanks again and best wishes,
Blair
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Definitely looks like a boy rather than girl - I think it is the plumage like you said. I love the idea of dinosaurs being so closely related to birds; it means you can really imagine their movements more.
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Again, an excellent picture. Everything seems so realistic; the raptor looks like a living, breathing animal and the branch looks just like a photo. The scorpion, while less "realistic", per se, also looks great in a different way. Great job!
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Thanks Nikhil,
Strangely enough, I used a very loose style for the branch, and the effect I think was better then the finer details of the beasties. I used the clone stamp tool a lot to get the same surfaces of the branch to overlap, and it produced some unexpected, but I think, delightful textures, especially the flaking bark and knot holes. I always rely on happy accidents when I draw, and since I am a novice at digital art, almost everthing I do is a happy accident.
Thanks again for the kind comments,
Blair
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No problem at all. Those were indeed some very happy accidents; the end result is, as I said, fantastic. I think I'll keep in mind the clone stamp technique you used next time I want to draw a branch or something similar, since it worked out so well with you.
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I'm completely in love with this 
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Thanks Morgan,
I really loved your dragon pics. Not that many folks draw the Gronckle, my favorite. Also love your wolf gryphon, I am currently working a picture featuring many cute baby gryphons.
Thanks again,
Cheers,
Blair
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You're welcome
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What happened to the Protoceratopsids which were on the sketch?
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Thanks Rick,
Ya, I took the protoceratops out to simplify the scene, but I'll feature them in my next piece an herding dinos. Lots of cute babies to draw.
Thanks,
Blair
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