Scientific Illustrator Reacts to Old Paleo Art

Danielle, a scientific illustrator at one of Canada's largest museums, reacts to vintage paleo art.
Become an Animalogic member: bit.ly/AnimalogicMembership
Get Animalogic Merch: bit.ly/3SXGrXL
Support Animalogic on Patreon:
/ animalogic
Subscribe for new episodes on Fridays
bit.ly/SubscribeToAnimalogic
-----------
SOCIAL MEDIA
/ animalogic
/ animalogicshow
/ animalogicshow
/ animalogicshow
-----------
CREDITS
Created by Dylan Dubeau
Executive Producer, Director, and Director of Photography: Dylan Dubeau
Host, Associate Producer: Danielle Dufault
Editor: Cat Senior
Producer, Camera Operator: Andres Salazar
-----------
Taking a deep look at the past and the animals that lived in it.

[@Mini_Squatch]

its funny how we went from fuzzy because mammalian to scaly like reptiles, then back to fuzzy but in a more birdlike way.

[@bensoncheung2801]

555 👍

[@adeptgirl3454]

It's also funny that the Iguanodon went from quadrupedal with splayed limbs in this art to bipedal when people figured out the thumb spike, and now evidence points to it being quadrupedal after all but with upright limbs. Sometimes a shot in the dark gets it right!

[@suzaynnschick158]

It's nice to hear your perceptions as an artist, and not just a zoologist. Your illustrations have always brought me pleasure.

[@bensoncheung2801]

144p-th 👍

[@danielm5535]

I love that modern peeps are quick to assert “the best we know how”, “with what we may learn in the further”, “best current information” because we are continually learning and stuff. Twenty years ago, so much information was presented to the public because “this is fact”, “questioning this means questioning ME!”… Keeps the sciencey people humble to learn new information and keeps the public open to the idea that science grows and changes. 😊

[@DanGamingFan2846]

It's interesting how wrong some of these were and how pretty close others were. It really is like a snapshot of what we knew at the time. Who knows how wrong our current understanding will prove to be.

[@Lucky13Ravens]

I feel that viewpoint is labouring under the same delusion as the people who drew the old art. They were filling in gaps with assumptions based of living animals, they were forward thinking, they were scientifically accurate... at the time. Just like now. The Mammoth not having ears in the picture is the example of why laughing at pterosaurs having large ears silly. Because saying they did, or didn't is completely inference and guesswork.

[@trilobite3120]

​​@@Lucky13RavensWe have well preserved mammoths clearly showing ears.

[@TuberoseKisser]

The last sentence, we literally have well preserved evidence and are continuing to discover well preserved specimens. We're currently not wrong, we're building on top of what is already known.

[@Lucky13Ravens]

@@trilobite3120 Have you ever looked at a Columbian Mammoth? It's ears are more like those in the old image than a modern elephant.

[@trilobite3120]

​@@Lucky13RavensThey have ears. I know they're small ears. They're still ears.

[@smiling_boi2595]

I love vintage paleoart especially because of the weird and funky reconstructions of the prehistoric animals :>

[@johnmcnally7812]

Some of them almost have a William Blake quality to them.

[@smiling_boi2595]

@@johnmcnally7812 indeed

[@e.s.lavall9219]

I had no idea the Possumdactyl was an actual attempt at interpreting what they looked like, I though a modern artist had drawn a possum/pterodactyl hybrid for fun

[@billys.3258]

That is 100% an Edward Gorey creature. lol

[@corvid...]

What a great idea having Danielle talk about art... i absolutely love her work, and now getting her insight is just perfect

[@Beryllahawk]

That painting of the mosasaur and ichthyosaurs just about made me cry it was so beautiful. When I was a child, that was the art that made me want to learn how to create my own art. I wanted to make pictures of dinosaurs and horses (and prehistoric horses of course), that were THAT kind of lovely.

[@larzvanhellsing2048]

That moment she mentioned forming a Metal band called Dinotherium is enough to love her even more! She's definitely METAL!!!! 🤘🤘

[@gitfiddlio]

Van Halen did an instrumental called baluchertherium

[@Sludgeyriffs]

Mastodon

[@Albinojackrussel]

A soft tissue preserved helicoprion is my dream fossil

[@forcedfeedbackclassicgamer5499]

As an artist, myself, this is probably my most favorite video you've done, Danielle. Love it.

[@fuferito]

I misunderstood the title to mean art from humans who lived in the Paleolithic, but this was just as fascinating.

[@monicarenee7949]

Yeah that’s what made me click, I was like I had no idea their drawings could be that good back then lol

[@thegreatgoldfilms6311]

This video was fascinating, please do a part 2

[@jackg.3187]

This is such a BRILLIANT idea. I love Danielle's art commentary. Reminds me of watching Sister Wendy back in the day, so informative. I'd watch this all day.

[@TheAntichrist84]

I love these videos but every time one of the hosts says "Hi I'm ___ and you're watching ___logic" i always expect them to air draw a Disney logo afterwards

[@MarieWest-tbic]

Girl, you rock! That was awesome! So you draw all the animals! OMG, I would love to draw that well! I tend to turn everything into a cartoon. Detailed but a cartoon. Brilliant to have a scientific and art mind!

[@MermaidMakes]

Danielle is the friend I wish I had. Fellow T1 diabetic and artist and studier of zoology. She’s like my Canadian doppelgänger, but actually successful haha

[@MarieWest-tbic]

@@MermaidMakes wow you also sound like a very kindred spirit! Thankful for this community.

[@MermaidMakes]

@@MarieWest-tbic it is definitely one of my favorite KZbin communities for sure! You’re all awesome! ❤️

[@fallingasleepaswespeak]

@@MermaidMakesshe has t1d?? thats actually so fucjing cool (as a t1d myself)

[@leekestner1554]

About 20 years ago their was a beautiful coffee table book made that took fantasy creatures and illustrated them like they were scientifically real. You had the drawings of the bones and then the muscles in a second drawing and then you had the skin on version. It was incredibly rendered by someone in your field. It was out of my price range then and now I can't remember who wrote/illustrated it. As an artist who draws fantasy subjects I would love to find it again and share it with others.

[@M50A1]

Is it one of those dragonology books? I have one of those and it's kinda similar to what you're saying

[@leekestner1554]

@@M50A1 It covered dragons but it also covered Pegasus, Unicorns, Cerebrus, Griffons and was completely in the format of a Paleoartist from bones to muscles to full in skin cover. It could have only been produced by a paleoartist it was so precise. I saw it at BooksAMillion.

[@M50A1]

@@leekestner1554 now i really wanna see this 👀

[@MichelVuijlstekeAKZ]

"The Resurrectionist: The Lost Work of Dr. Spencer Black" by E. B. Hudspeth!

[@Fede_99]

I recently visited the ROM in Toronto and knowing some of your works were there it was really cool to see them in person

[@animalogic]

Love this!

[@kodomotachi1]

What strikes me is the ingenuity the artists demonstrate despite the very limited knowledge at their disposal. Impressive!

[@Death2010]

I will continue to ask for a Drawfee collab until it happens! Just be so fun to see a bunch of just really nice fun artists having a grand time.

[@Ahopek]

I love how you enjoy a giggle about features you don't understand while still giving gracious credit to the artists for how well they did with what information they had!

[@wynstunsuk]

I could watch these types of episodes forever. Thank you Danielle❤.

[@patrickgragg5602]

ONE OF THE BEST ARTISTS I HAVE EVER HAD THE PLEASURE OF SEEING YOUR WORK!

[@Asterite100]

Danielle is a paleoartist too?? I knew she drew for the animal videos but I didn't know that tidbit. I'm too much of a casual viewer I guess. Loved this video! EDIT: Oh LMAO that is THE thing she is known for when you google her. Might have to do the same with the others featured on this channel, TIL. You lot are goals.

[@diegovillaruiz2431]

In a London museum I once saw an illustration of what appeared to be a hippopotamus or a rhinoceros, and I wondered why this depiction of a well-known animal was so strange. Then my much more informed and educated friend in plastic arts told me that the illustrator drew that animal based on an oral description from an explorer, that's when I realized what an absolutely fabulous artist he must have been for me to be able to recognize it 200 years later. to the animal that he had drawn and that the artist himself had never seen. Sorry for the awkward narration, English is not my first language

[@LordAllo]

Awesome! Please do a second part! 👍👍👍

[@MossyMozart]

I like that Md Danielle commented on the artistic technique as well as the portrayal of the specimens. It was good to see her take into account what was understood at the time instead of just laughing her way through the examples.

[@lavolka]

Please keep this series going. It's wonderful!

[@lafcursiax]

Honestly, I wouldn't mind seeing a second set of vintage art reactions next. Your explanations are expert without going over people's heads, and just plain entertaining!

[@tuxuhds6955]

The most beautiful thing I see here is Danielle's enthusiasm when she talks about a subject that's really close to her heart. Well done!

[@quisnessness]

I love these. These drawings are like trying to figure out what an image is when you only have a handful of pieces from a large puzzle. Based on how many puzzle pieces they had back then, these guesses are really good. Over time we're getting more pieces of that puzzle as we find more fossils, gain a deeper understanding of evolution and taxonomy, and use modern technology, so the guesses at the full picture become closer and closer.

[@UnwrittenSpade]

You guys just HAVE to make this a semi regular series too! This was so cool to see the old interpretations of past life!!!!

[@yeesus88]

Love this new format, you should totally do more like this

[@samsparks7239]

I love your artwork. I'm definitely hooked on this series. Could we perhaps, see you explore the Gigantopithecus?

[@maillardsbearcat]

Danielle is so cool I can't deal

[@Dana_Ruiz]

Wonderful video, I would love to see more content like this.

[@OrgusDin]

Imagine being a paleo artist millions of years from now trying to recreate the appearance of youtubers commenting on scuffed paleo art.

[@Scarlet_Soul]

They're truly beautiful

[@Mini_Squatch]

3:54 thats just mamoswine, the pokemon lol

[@RafaCB0987]

Sucha good video, loved how you not only explained the detais about how the art come to be but rated it for their quality instead of only the inaccuracies

[@lukemarfim]

Love your voice, so calming and clear! And also loved the content! Your drawings are beautiful and the historic arts are awesome! Keep it up, Dani!

[@kevinlobos5519]

The angy deinotherium beats them all. It's just perfect.

[@TheWuschi]

I love this video so much! It is so refreshing to hear you talk about those beautiful old illustration with a deep understanding for the art, the depicted animals and the artists, who gave so much effort and all the knowledge they had to create their pictures. I am always kind of depressed, when on other channels with paleontological themes I hear phrases like "they didn't know shit" and "ridiculous"... You probably know, whom I mean (and yes, he is one of my favorite creators...). - Please, make another one of these, there are so many great old pictures to review! On my special wishlist, there would be the development of depictions of Neandertals or the development of "whales" from ancient world-maps to realistic pictures. Thank you for all your work!

[@gypsydildopunks7083]

You're such a natural in front of the camera. Thanks for the animal knowledge, love anipals

[@takenname8053]

Love the positive take on old paleoart!

[@kellymills7346]

Truly enjoyed! Great job!

[@madddog7]

that was a great episode, thanks* *more please

[@embroiledalive5232]

I really enjoy your narratives because your enthusiasm is so apparent. And often, i enjoy someone's show but don't think i would like the person 'in person' but I'm sure you're a really nice person. Keep going.

[@grillninja6492]

I have watched your animalogic shenanigans for years and I want you to know that you are wonderful and it's good to see you. I am an artist too and I am smiling in my heart right now :D

[@jakehayes1345]

I always wanted to know more about you as an artist... awesome video! Loved your takes on both thestate of understanding and how much you liked the work as artwork...and why. Great video! thanks

[@user-ft4jo8ev1v]

First time on this channel, so cool to see all these, and Danielle seems so nice! Subscribed

[@Pepe-mk4bc]

Loved it, please more of this!!

[@youngmasterzhi]

You forgot to include the flying stegosaurs (early paleotonologists thought the scales on the ridged back were sails that allows them to fly)

[@Navy.Archangel]

I hope you continue these :)

[@maskraider6240]

Really love ya Danielle! I could watch your content back to back. Stay beautiful

[@merelymayhem]

this was such a fun vid, would be cool to have a part two

[@lisascenic]

I love this so fervently! Your appreciation is sincere and infectious.

[@Poisonjam7]

There’s isn’t enough attention being given on most Animalogic videos that Danielle does the illustrations you see in the intro and for the subject of most videos. Most people just think she’s the presenter and that’s it. But she’s an incredibly talented artist. More people need to know!!

[@Mystrich]

Im surprised she didnt comment but on the angler fish, I find it so interesting the lantern part is a smoking candle.

[@sohopedeco]

I had no idea about how much knowledge goes on about the making of paleoart. This video shows us a side of Danielle I didn't imagine.

[@GardenofYden0]

such a wonder video format switch up! i love it!!

[@johncopeland2324]

Realllyyy enjoyed this. Thanks

[@Ave_Echidna]

I will never unsee the dingleberries on that pterodactylus

[@Ag5585swampdonkeyAG]

the thing that impresses me the most was how beautiful Danielle is ,the drawings are cool but she steals the show for me . Animalogic is awesome .

[@germanomagnone]

when I see these old paleoarts, it strikes me how prehistoric animals were imagined, I have couple of examples that would be worthy to mention: the "stego-zilla" by A. Jobin 1884 and "ankylo-stego" by frank bond in 1899,Torosaurus and Monoclonius by Francis John, published in 1900.

[@jameswright4640]

I like all of the stuff on Animalogic! This video is now one of my favorites. Danielle did a great job! Angry Deinotherium (sp?) is now my computer wallpaper. Great episode!

[@damaracarpenter8316]

please do more of this series!!!!

[@ThatFreeWilliam]

Did that guy draw the long fingerbone of the pterodactylus so that it was connected to the foot? If so that's such a wild thought!

[@burntcinnabun5232]

Love her as a zoologist and host, though I've always been curious of Danielle as an artist. So this is such a good opportunity for that part of her knowledge to shine!

[@benderbendingrodriguez420]

Loved this!

[@FrogCities]

I’d love to see a video where you talk about your current process for making illustrations for the channel! They’re amazing ❤

[@scarletcrusader5431]

I LOVE Danielle, she's so talented and is a wealth of knowledge!

[@deborahdanhauer8525]

That was fun! Thank you❤️🤗🐝

[@puttiplush]

Possumdactyl gives me joy. Every part of the Possumdactyl is evocative. Also appreciate friendly lil' Helicoprion Ris-73.

[@laurenthomas7074]

This was an unexpectedly wholesome video, really enjoyed the discussion! Very interesting

[@EarthsGeomancer]

This was a great episode

[@bensperez]

One of my favorite videos of yours

[@kimbratton9620]

Wow that's amazing!

[@tonydeluna8095]

This video was really good, interesting creatures done in paintings and so forth. Very educational. I love prehistoric animals who lived years ago on planet earth denoting the period before written record

[@diegovillaruiz2431]

More of this, please!!!

[@Tser]

I love funny, old, outdated paleo art, and I love modern paleo art, and I love that a lot of modern paleo art will some day be amusing outdated paleoart! The fact that stuff we used to know is wrong shows how much we're learning.

[@logandavis6206]

I absolutely love how yall see the art within the context of what science/ knowledge was available at the time. Sometimes people judge the actions of the past through a modern lens. Which isn't realistic. All of us are bound by the perspective of our time. Very well done!

[@animalogic]

Danielle was the true genius behind the episode! We are so lucky to have her and her knowledge!! Glad you liked it.

[@honeybunnyj7]

This presenter is so charming!! I want to watch more content with Danielle!!!

[@martincooper9982]

Thanks for the lovely and interesting talk.

[@bentoaican]

I could watch this all day

[@LuSquared_]

This is a brilliant idea for a video!

[@ljtb]

More Danielle please, we love Danielle ❤

[@InsaneCitizenErased]

this was super cool

[@alanrollf2856]

So cool. I loved this.

[@markb6978]

This is really great! If you decide to do this again some time in the future, it would be cool to include a side by side comparison with a modern reconstruction. I have a pretty decent idea of what we think these creatures looked like today, but to see how the people in the past interpreted all the little details differently I’d need to see them next to each other.

[@blingviera7925]

She's such an amazing artist.

[@bewilderbeastie8899]

"Nowadays we know Megalosaurus to be bipedal with small arms" and then the video proceeds to show another horrendously outdated Megalosaurus reconstruction

[@lauxmyth]

Another day you can look to the Bestiary drawings from a bit earlier. Artists drew from text from others and you got some wild elephants and even mythical animals.

[@anny7000]

Please do a part 2

[@tessat338]

I envy very little in this world but the one thing that I do envy is the ability to draw accurately from life or from the imagination. I would love to be able to do what you do.

[@petebyrdie4799]

Mid to late 19th century is my favourite period for natural history art. I've got some lovely examples from debound books. But I'd love some paleoart from that period; dinosaurs that look like big lizards fighting, plesiosaurs with snakey necks, weird pterosaurs, I love that stuff.

[@LenaFerrari]

Really fun to watch. I really liked that our host wasn't conceited about inaccurate art based on what we know now. I find it a really common posture to act superior to people working with less information, and this was a breath of fresh air

[@sharonkaczorowski8690]

The mammoth reminds me of the wonderfully weird medieval drawings of elephants, ditto for the fish. Great fun! The Tiger-cat was also wonderful…

[@theretiredyogi4246]

Great content!

[@lumis5896]

12:02 this is such a beautiful paining. The artist might not have known much about what these animals looked like, and he lived before filming underwater was possible. But still he has created such a lively, detailed underwater scene with prehistoric animals in beautiful movement.