20 “Shrink Wrap” Animals From Paleo Artist Shows Today’s Animals Guessed From Skeletons

Dive into the ancient world through the eyes of C.M. Koseman, a paleo artist who masterfully bridges the gap between science and imagination in their book. This collection shines a light on the “shrink wrap” technique, a method where artists tightly fit skin over dinosaur skeletons to guess at their appearance.

While captivating, this approach has sparked debate for its tendency to produce lean, almost skeletal images that may overlook the complexities of muscle, fat, and other tissues that made up these prehistoric giants.

Koseman’s work navigates these artistic and scientific waters with care, offering a thought-provoking look at the creatures that roamed Earth before us. Through their book, we explore the blend of interpretation and evidence in paleoart, and why the “shrink wrap” method, though intriguing, might not always capture the full picture of prehistoric life.

This Twitter thread explores that.

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Mike

Mike Primavera

Mike Primavera is a Chicago-based comedy writer even though he doesn't HAVE to work. He lives comfortably off of his family's pasta fortune. Follow him on all social media at @primawesome