Nanotyrannus lancensis

A weekend project. I wanted to spend some time experimenting with Procreate brush mechanics and find ways to push the tactility of each stroke. My lifelong gripe with digital painting (or any painting) is how easy it is for things to get muddy and to lose evidence of a confident hand. Ultimately, it’s the joy of drawing that I want people to see and I’ve been relying too much on digital texture maps and overlaying effects. The burnt edges rendering mechanic is great because it gives each stroke a more defined edge and you can use it to make the surface more interesting and deliberate. I’ve decided to use texture maps more sparingly so they don’t drown out my brushwork. I’m really excited to implement these new mechanics in upcoming illustrations.

Anyway, this is nanotyrannus. A controversial animal that’s recently enjoyed a media spotlight as consensus has solidified on its validity as its own genus. Previously, it’d been largely considered a juvenile tyrannosaurus however recent studies on its histology and anatomical distinctions have finally cleared away any ambiguity.