SciFi and Fantasy Art: Tairlanga Study #1

y'know, I think the only problem with your critters is the bright colours ^_^ I mean, I know some critters here on the *real* earth have 'em, but ... they're pretty much all smallish prey-beasts, nothing large and I can't think of any predators... insectivores yes, straight carnivores no..... Well, it's all good I'd just be able to suspend disbelief a little better if they were more natural colours.

To help some with the suspension of disbelief (I see you watch the Sci-Fi channel--like doesn't everybody?*hehe*) The plumage of the Plainsland Keundahris- and, indeed, most of the Tairlangas--is geared to help conceal them amidst the blue and purple flowers which bloom most of the year. THe colors in nature in this reality work in the same way as in Earth's reality, but, there are a lot more bright colors because of flowering grasses unique to Laul-Hahr. Fur is usually unable to come in bright colors, although there are quite a number of fiery coated mammals on Earth. The thing one must remember is that most feathered animals on Earth have some bright colors somewhere on their bodies. The blue tone of Jays and the bright red of cardinals are great examples of absurdly colorful animals living in environments of low coloration. Most animals are dull in color to help conceal them from their predators, yet any number of animals are brightly colored-and for the same reasons. Take Parrots and most reptiles; They are amongst the most colorful animals on Earth. They are colorful to help conceal them from birds of prey and to hide them from the creatures they hunt.... Still other animals have bright color in one gender --usually the male--to help it attract a mate. The Peacock (Pavo cristatus) is possibly the best example of this sort of thing. Thus, it is not at all difficult to suspend disbelief that a cat-like pouncer could be brightly colored, if its evolution was geared to blending into a brightly colored environment. (Also feathers can have much brighter colors than can mammalian fur--and tairlangas are not true mammals, but rather, extemely mammal-like non-avian type dinosaurs.....And dinos are feathered animals--so was a cute little flying lizard called longisquama insignis from before the time of the dinosaurs.....) I hope this helps to make imagining these critters less of a chore.....[and this concludes Exobiology 101 for today-class dismissed....]

*hiccup* Just read the above dissertation. Tasty and most accurate. I, for one, reeeeally dig the bright colors, and do understand that in a brightly colored environ, the predator will blend in with its surroundings. There's that daffodil-yellow pit viper in the International Wildlife mags, and flourescent green spiders and orchids and stuff like that. Plenty of 'em.

I just think it's so strange when fantasy artist get into debates about how a creature should be, I mean come on it's fantasy remember! Someone told me once that my dragons should have more pointed snouts, it's just rediculous, I draw them the way I draw them because I like them that way no other reason is needed in my opinion, that's why I started doing fantasy in the first place. anyhoo, I really like the skeletal work you did here, I find stuff like that fascinating, it's nice to see that you really research your creatures. Great job, nice action poses.

I love brightly coloured beasties.The bright colours add to the fantasy element.Plus,the anatomy on this is very good

Heh, I don't beleive that nobody has commented since i changed my name*which I don't believe I actually had to start with -see what peerpressure can do!?*
NOW I have something more intelligent to sayoooooOOOO!
seriously,methinks this is great -you seem to have some kind of knack for drawing skeletons.Which is admirable.
Y'know you should get some sort of web site up, that would be so...KEWEL!

Sheesh, three comments in a row from me? Oh well...
In Lynxies gallery...you wondered if this design pops into everyones head at a certain age...well, I dunno about everyone...but I have a Tairlanga-esque beastie too...(don't worry - not copied. crypticly coloured mammals called Muku, a blend of fox,genet,and domestic cat...Tairlangaesque noetheless...). Just goes to showw,great minds think alike...and I still love this study, and the creatures.

Hey, THAT one is my favourite Tairlanga, so far, I think! I love the motion in it, and you know I love anatomicals! So this is again so great!

I Just LOOOOOVE His Colors! You have a Freaky Imagination! That's a Good Thing BTW! KUTGW

WOW! All I can say is Beautifully done! It's way cooler than Stitch! Sleek and Cat-like with that fantastic colored coat! I love brightly colored mammals! And those names are so totally Awesome!

Eric R. Vondell ~ 'Tralfaz Aquilleon' replies: "I get a lot of E-mails with comments about my art being more imaginative or my characters being more attractive than Disney's critters. Maybe someone out there should start a campaign to have "Hollywood" take a look at my creations & Stories. maybe that would help me improve my life. Probably not. As there are many way better and more talented artists in Elfwood than me. I fall about mid way when you really look at this site's other artists."

Awsome bio sheet.. andy advice for an up and comming bio creater, ?