Liam Elward Paleoart 🇵🇸
@paleobyliam.bsky.social
Chicago-based paleoartist. He/him. Email for commissions/inquiries at [email protected]
Pinned
I'm Liam Elward, paleoartist looking for work in scientific illustration & paleontology. Specializing in detailed, well-researched digital paintings of extinct & extant organisms.
portfolio: www.artstation.com/prehistoryby...
email: [email protected]
#paleoart
portfolio: www.artstation.com/prehistoryby...
email: [email protected]
#paleoart
Reposted by Liam Elward Paleoart 🇵🇸
I know this is no fault of @tetzoo.bsky.social, who has been campaigning to try and make this happen for years, but I would absolutely kill for a "behind the scenes" Prehistoric Planet book that discusses the depth of research, decision-making and concept work that went into each episode
November 27, 2025 at 4:45 PM
I know this is no fault of @tetzoo.bsky.social, who has been campaigning to try and make this happen for years, but I would absolutely kill for a "behind the scenes" Prehistoric Planet book that discusses the depth of research, decision-making and concept work that went into each episode
Matonia pectinata is a beautifully-shaped fern, and the family it belongs to can be traced back to the Late Triassic. When researching I often make reference sheets like this of the most useful figures, photos & illustrations I can find. Most pics from iNaturalist or Flickr. #paleobotany #botany
November 28, 2025 at 3:45 AM
Matonia pectinata is a beautifully-shaped fern, and the family it belongs to can be traced back to the Late Triassic. When researching I often make reference sheets like this of the most useful figures, photos & illustrations I can find. Most pics from iNaturalist or Flickr. #paleobotany #botany
Reposted by Liam Elward Paleoart 🇵🇸
“We’re gonna need a bigger gravy-boat!”
Turkey skull peeks out from behind a T. rex wishbone on Thanksgiving!
🦃🍗🦖
Turkey skull peeks out from behind a T. rex wishbone on Thanksgiving!
🦃🍗🦖
November 27, 2025 at 5:08 PM
“We’re gonna need a bigger gravy-boat!”
Turkey skull peeks out from behind a T. rex wishbone on Thanksgiving!
🦃🍗🦖
Turkey skull peeks out from behind a T. rex wishbone on Thanksgiving!
🦃🍗🦖
Reposted by Liam Elward Paleoart 🇵🇸
Happy to be a part of this big project led by Mario Bronzati & Matteo Fabbri—out today #OA in @currentbiology.bsky.social
bit.ly/3M5weun —on the brain endocast of a close pterosaur cousin & what it means for pterosaur brain evolution...maybe different from bird brain evolution. 1/2
bit.ly/3M5weun —on the brain endocast of a close pterosaur cousin & what it means for pterosaur brain evolution...maybe different from bird brain evolution. 1/2
November 26, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Happy to be a part of this big project led by Mario Bronzati & Matteo Fabbri—out today #OA in @currentbiology.bsky.social
bit.ly/3M5weun —on the brain endocast of a close pterosaur cousin & what it means for pterosaur brain evolution...maybe different from bird brain evolution. 1/2
bit.ly/3M5weun —on the brain endocast of a close pterosaur cousin & what it means for pterosaur brain evolution...maybe different from bird brain evolution. 1/2
Studies of some horsetail fossils from the Yorkshire flora of Jurassic UK to start off a brand new sketchbook.
#paleoart #paleobotany #botany #sciart
#paleoart #paleobotany #botany #sciart
November 26, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Studies of some horsetail fossils from the Yorkshire flora of Jurassic UK to start off a brand new sketchbook.
#paleoart #paleobotany #botany #sciart
#paleoart #paleobotany #botany #sciart
I really hope I live to see a review/update of mamenchisaurid evolution & phylogeny. They're such a weird and interesting group in desperate need of tidying. Paging @profpaulbarrett.bsky.social lol
November 26, 2025 at 4:16 PM
I really hope I live to see a review/update of mamenchisaurid evolution & phylogeny. They're such a weird and interesting group in desperate need of tidying. Paging @profpaulbarrett.bsky.social lol
Reposted by Liam Elward Paleoart 🇵🇸
Reposted by Liam Elward Paleoart 🇵🇸
Once upon a time I was a nearly prolific illustrator of ancient life forms. Here's a sampling of this 🐡🎨 paleoart from the early 20's.
November 19, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Once upon a time I was a nearly prolific illustrator of ancient life forms. Here's a sampling of this 🐡🎨 paleoart from the early 20's.
Reposted by Liam Elward Paleoart 🇵🇸
Mainstream palaeoart often seems lily-white in terms of the diversity of its contributors. But pieces of palaeoart that rank among the -MOST SEEN- works in the entire field were examples of black craftsmanship. This week came news on the passing of Garfield G. Minott (1966-2025)... cont
November 15, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Mainstream palaeoart often seems lily-white in terms of the diversity of its contributors. But pieces of palaeoart that rank among the -MOST SEEN- works in the entire field were examples of black craftsmanship. This week came news on the passing of Garfield G. Minott (1966-2025)... cont
Reposted by Liam Elward Paleoart 🇵🇸
Here the result of the Seaham Formation #paleostream, maybe the most relaxing formation stream we will ever have! This Carboniferous tundra wasn't chosen because of it's fossils, but because of its setting.
November 16, 2025 at 4:31 AM
Here the result of the Seaham Formation #paleostream, maybe the most relaxing formation stream we will ever have! This Carboniferous tundra wasn't chosen because of it's fossils, but because of its setting.
One of the best & most useful scientific figures when it comes to sauropods is this one from Jannel et al. 2022. It's visually clear & gives a good idea of which sauropods we have decent hind foot aka pes material for.
November 18, 2025 at 4:22 AM
One of the best & most useful scientific figures when it comes to sauropods is this one from Jannel et al. 2022. It's visually clear & gives a good idea of which sauropods we have decent hind foot aka pes material for.
In "Ecology of the Brontosaurs" Robert Bakker describes adaptations of many ungulates, including the "elongate, banana-shaped" hooves of the swamp-dwelling sitatunga antelope. Surely, I thought, that's an exaggeration. But these are crazy!
November 18, 2025 at 12:52 AM
In "Ecology of the Brontosaurs" Robert Bakker describes adaptations of many ungulates, including the "elongate, banana-shaped" hooves of the swamp-dwelling sitatunga antelope. Surely, I thought, that's an exaggeration. But these are crazy!
#2025SVP I sometimes forget how important histology is to paleontology, and how often you see histological slides in conference talks. Some sort of simplified guide to how to read these diagrams would be a useful reference for paleoartists & other less academic folks
#SVP2025
#SVP2025
November 14, 2025 at 10:57 PM
One interesting thing you often see scales do is becoming "banded" or forming ring-like formations down the tail. It's present in countless lizards, and pretty clearly visible in crocodilians.
November 12, 2025 at 4:52 PM
One interesting thing you often see scales do is becoming "banded" or forming ring-like formations down the tail. It's present in countless lizards, and pretty clearly visible in crocodilians.
Reposted by Liam Elward Paleoart 🇵🇸
I’m just going to say it straight away - the amount of stairs and small steps, and confusing layout makes the ICC an absolute disaster in terms of accessibility. Looking forward to muscle pain at the end of the conference #2025SVP !
November 12, 2025 at 7:56 AM
I’m just going to say it straight away - the amount of stairs and small steps, and confusing layout makes the ICC an absolute disaster in terms of accessibility. Looking forward to muscle pain at the end of the conference #2025SVP !
Reposted by Liam Elward Paleoart 🇵🇸
And that's the end of that chapter. What a great success: the SVP Palaeoart Workshop.
November 11, 2025 at 6:27 PM
And that's the end of that chapter. What a great success: the SVP Palaeoart Workshop.
November 12, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Reposted by Liam Elward Paleoart 🇵🇸
#2025SVP travel advice: as soon as you get to your hotel room find the ironing board and iron and iron all your shirts and suit jacket, if you plan on dressing to impress. Hang everything up in the hotel closet and it will stay wrinkle free until you need it. Then go and hang out (or nap)
November 8, 2025 at 8:52 PM
#2025SVP travel advice: as soon as you get to your hotel room find the ironing board and iron and iron all your shirts and suit jacket, if you plan on dressing to impress. Hang everything up in the hotel closet and it will stay wrinkle free until you need it. Then go and hang out (or nap)
Reposted by Liam Elward Paleoart 🇵🇸
salt marsh
A tribute to a small patch of vegetation on a local beach that has driven everyone completely insane
A tribute to a small patch of vegetation on a local beach that has driven everyone completely insane
November 3, 2025 at 10:00 AM
salt marsh
A tribute to a small patch of vegetation on a local beach that has driven everyone completely insane
A tribute to a small patch of vegetation on a local beach that has driven everyone completely insane
Reposted by Liam Elward Paleoart 🇵🇸
I’ve been working on some commissions involving Jurassic frogs, salamanders & turtles, so I practiced with a quick portrait study of an indeterminate turtle. I LOVE turtles and it’s always a treat to see them basking, a rare experience in my home of Chicago. #sciart
November 1, 2025 at 8:37 PM
I’ve been working on some commissions involving Jurassic frogs, salamanders & turtles, so I practiced with a quick portrait study of an indeterminate turtle. I LOVE turtles and it’s always a treat to see them basking, a rare experience in my home of Chicago. #sciart
#Temnovember a study of the Jurassic temnospondyl Sinobrachyops, which lived alongside mamenchisaurs. Smaller than I picture temnos! Partly inspired by the work of cqin & Emily Stepp. Larva is speculative & not to scale
November 1, 2025 at 6:18 PM
#Temnovember a study of the Jurassic temnospondyl Sinobrachyops, which lived alongside mamenchisaurs. Smaller than I picture temnos! Partly inspired by the work of cqin & Emily Stepp. Larva is speculative & not to scale
Reposted by Liam Elward Paleoart 🇵🇸
After an incredibly long gestation period, I have a new paper out reviewing all the data and evidence we have on the pterosaurian uropatagium. Full link to the paper is in the blogpost linked below:
archosaurmusings.wordpress.com/2025/09/16/t...
archosaurmusings.wordpress.com/2025/09/16/t...
September 16, 2025 at 6:52 AM
After an incredibly long gestation period, I have a new paper out reviewing all the data and evidence we have on the pterosaurian uropatagium. Full link to the paper is in the blogpost linked below:
archosaurmusings.wordpress.com/2025/09/16/t...
archosaurmusings.wordpress.com/2025/09/16/t...
It's one thing to ask how different species might interact with one another (for example with multiple large predators in places like Kem Kem) but "Who Would Win?" is the worst question in paleo lol. So stupid. Especially with animals separated by millions of years
October 26, 2025 at 8:26 PM
It's one thing to ask how different species might interact with one another (for example with multiple large predators in places like Kem Kem) but "Who Would Win?" is the worst question in paleo lol. So stupid. Especially with animals separated by millions of years