Without Much to Reference, Paleoartists Found a Cool Way to Draw Dinosaurs

Paleoartists actually put a lot of research into these creations in order to make them accurate. 

Paleoartists need to know a lot about the structure of fossils in order to assess the anatomy and proportions of the dinosaur they're recreating. James Gurney, creator of the book series, Dinotopia, says that he uses fossils to help him mentally "reconstruct the skeleton."

Paleoartists typically work with a paleontologist who can help shape the beginning of an illustration. Paleontologists have access to skeletal diagrams which can inform the structure of the dinosaur drawings.

Before creating Dinotopia, Gurney studied art and worked as an illustrator for National Geographic. Knowing how to work with shade and light or how to create models can better inform artists when it comes to making sure that drawings are proportional.

Paleoartists look to living animals like birds or even plants to get an idea of the correct colors to use in their work.