iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by James Thomas

Zody Zaible @zodyzaible.bsky.social · 06/04/2025

Viva Piñata my beloved 🪅 A gift for a friend! #vivapinata #fanart #art

310434

Reposted by James Thomas

Natee (they/them) @himmapaan.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

#Iguanodon was formally named 200 years ago today in 1825. The second dinosaur to be named after Megalosaurus, and one of three genera originally used to define Dinosauria.

Pencil drawing of an Iguanodon, a large herbivorous dinosaur with a heavy, beaked, ungulate-like head and large distinctive 'thumb' claws on its hands.

181055295

Reposted by James Thomas

Coolioart - 3D Commissions Open! @coolioart.bsky.social · 05/01/2025

I did it again! Jurassic Park with accurate raptors, a short part 2 #jurassicpark #blender3d

409130794153

Reposted by James Thomas

Natalia (娜塔莉) @wrycritic.bsky.social · 04/01/2025

So, you want to be a palaeontologist and study prehistoric life, but don't know where to start? Maybe you worry you're not good enough? That you can't do field work? Or you can't afford it? Let me take you through different options for making it in the field 👇(🧵)

A woman looking at a T. rex skull in a museum

14418143

James Thomas @bigsheep.bsky.social · 03/01/2025

Over the break I made myself a diddy set of shelves to display my fossils. My highlights include a tiny piece of ichthyosaur jaw from Charmouth, a small chunk of dinosaur bone from the Isle of Wight, and a pair of ammonites we tried preparing on an experience day.

1120

James Thomas @bigsheep.bsky.social · 31/12/2024

So. I bought myself a second hand copy of the book The Horned Dinosaurs. Long story short, previous owner used a combo of porn and ceratopsian news clippings as bookmarks. As I flicked through, Ali and I had a game of "horn or porn" as to what would fall out next 😂

160

James Thomas @bigsheep.bsky.social · 27/12/2024

A Christmas present to myself. A couple of skulls from @rubrennanart.bsky.social to expand my collection into ceratopsia and sauropoda. I tell myself I'll stop when I get examples from each major clade... but we all know that's a lie.

Two 3D printed skulls painted up to look like fossilised bone. To the left, Psittacosaurus. To the right Camarasaurus. Both are about 20cm long.

0152

Reposted by James Thomas

Love in the Time of Chasmosaurs @handle.invalid · 06/12/2024

Hello Bluesky! Love in the Time of Chasmosaurs reporting for duty. We've been exploring the intersection of paleontology and art since 2009. chasmosaurs.com

25713

James Thomas @bigsheep.bsky.social · 02/12/2024

Always a delight to receive the end of year Patreon print from @markwitton.bsky.social. It's also a sign I should probably put up the Christmas tree.

A print of a drawing where a Spinosaurus is eating a smaller creature. The picture focuses on Spinosaurus' head.

2122

Reposted by James Thomas

Rare Ltd. @rare.co.uk · 29/11/2024

Got skills in Marketing Art, Engineering or Animation and fancy an internship in video games in 2025? JOIN US! All the info you need should be right here: aka.ms/RareInternsh... Applications close Jan 5th, so do it now before you get distracted by December diversions!

The inside of The Tent at Rare. Two shark chairs are placed either side of a table shaped like an Xbox controller. Board games and arcade cabinets can be seen in the background.

04510

Reposted by James Thomas

Dragons of Wales @dragonsofwales.bsky.social · 08/12/2023

Pachyrhinosaurus. Pencil sketch with digital colour. #SciArt

28319

James Thomas @bigsheep.bsky.social · 06/12/2023

Sums up my mood during a few meetings this week.

A sticker declaring "ready for the asteroid". A Carnotosaurus waves is arms as a large rock plunges to earth.

010

James Thomas @bigsheep.bsky.social · 04/12/2023

My wallet is lighter, but my office is going to be a whole lot brighter. A highlight of #TetZooCon was meeting many of the palaeoartists that make my dino-centric feeds a delight. Plus I met new ones. Thank you, @markwitton.bsky.social, @bobnichollsart.bsky.social, @palaeoplushies.art, and others.

A selection of dinosaur art prints, stickers, cards, 3D prints and plushies.

A print of a selection of sauropods. Most are so large only their neck extends into the page.

A print of two Styracosaurus dueling in monochrome.

0111

James Thomas @bigsheep.bsky.social · 03/12/2023

Final day of #TetZooCon saw more Plesiosaurs and plenty of TV chatter. Highlight was Luke Muscutt's robot Plesiosaur. We had the good fortune to see a prototype at YNHM back in February and it's come on a lot since then. Very happy to have made the trip down for this TetZoo weekend.

A silver 3D printed form of a Plesiosaur with flippers moving up and down as if swimming.

010

James Thomas @bigsheep.bsky.social · 02/12/2023

The end of my first day at #TetZooCon. Heavy on ancient marine reptiles, light on heating. Despite internal weather conditions, had a good time listening to talks on Ichthyosaurs, Plesiosaurs, and ancient dolphins. Now back at the hotel warming up.

Ali and in the auditorium in woolly hats.

010

James Thomas @bigsheep.bsky.social · 30/11/2023

Due to reasons, I'm playing Time Lord. I want to like it. In places it rewards experimentation, unlike many NES titles. Gives a reason to explore and question each element in the level. However, it counters with tedious boss fights and silent fail states that are infuriating. Very mixed bag.

The cover of NES game Time Lord. It features a man dressed in a space suit, a lizard man, and a knight on a horse.

A screen shot from Time Lord. A red figure stands on a platform in a space station with an orb in front of him.

A screenshot from Time Lord. The main protagonist dressed in a red jump suit is in a castle dungeon moving away from two walking suits of armour.

010

James Thomas @bigsheep.bsky.social · 29/11/2023

And now I'm at the end, I still think it's a good read. A whistle stop tour through so many elements of the current understanding of dinosaurs and palaeontology. I particularly like the detail of the science behind the how or why. It covers many disciplines but always keeps them accessible.

000

James Thomas @bigsheep.bsky.social · 22/11/2023

The great retro gaming slim down has begun. Not pictured four further NES.

My office floor covered in retro consoles, wires, cartridges, and controllers. There are four Nintendo Entertainment System consoles amongst the debris.

000

James Thomas @bigsheep.bsky.social · 18/11/2023

Delighted this week as we saw Eddie Izzard live on her Remix tour. My brother and I watched her VHSs a tonne back in the day, and it was glorious to see familiar themes and characters sprinkled throughout. A great big comedic warm hug of a show.

A theatre with the crowd waiting for the show to start. On the stage is a backdrop showing a tree against a stormy sky. On stage is a lit lamp post.

030

James Thomas @bigsheep.bsky.social · 15/11/2023

Halfway through Dinosaur Behaviour and it's a good read. Compared to the last couple of Benton's books, it has a unique style. Rather than chunky chapters, it breaks down larger themes into discrete elements, each only a few pages long. Wonderfully bite-sized but still rich with information.

The cover of Dinosaur Behaviour by Michael Benton. It shows a Tyrannosaurus making off with a baby Triceratops.

A page from Dinosaur Behaviour. There is a sauropod rearing up to take the leaves from a tall tree.

A page from Dinosaur Behaviour. The heading reads Studying Ancient Brains. The illustration is of a fossil skull going through a CT scanner.

000

James Thomas @bigsheep.bsky.social · 15/11/2023

Trying to phrase "I now can't attend your meeting because Steve Brusatte is hosting a webinar at the same time" in the politest possible way.

000

Reposted by James Thomas

Natee (they/them) @himmapaan.bsky.social · 14/11/2023

Parasaurolophus. Ink on Fabriano Medioevalis, 132 × 85 mm. 2023.

Silhouette drawing in black ink of Parasaurolophus, a hadrosaurid dinosaur with a long, tubular head crest.

211938

James Thomas @bigsheep.bsky.social · 13/11/2023

Started a new TTRPG and despite being bad at accents I've given my character an American deep South twang. I've listened to too many live play podcasts that make it sound effortless. Let me tell you, it's not.

130

Reposted by James Thomas

Natee (they/them) @himmapaan.bsky.social · 13/11/2023

Why, yes, I do love N/F/Ts. Nimble-footed takins, that is. ^_^ Brown pencil on Sennelier Le Maxi sketch paper, approximately 150 × 140 mm. From 2021.

Brown pencil sketch of a takin in a kind of 'floating trot' with a merry expression.

735066

James Thomas @bigsheep.bsky.social · 10/11/2023

She continues to be adorable.

A black and white rabbit looking over my shoulder, her head slightly tilted, as I look into the camera.

010

Reposted by James Thomas

Jack The Vulture @jackthevulture.bsky.social · 09/11/2023

Heyo! I'm here, I guess. Heres some dinosaur paintings im proud of! Nasutoceratops, Lambeosaurus, Stegoceras, Tenontosaurus.

Nasutoceratops portrait painted in warm colors, facing left.

Fullbody lambeosaurus with grey and black markings and a orange and white crest, rearing up with its head down.

Stegoceras painted in brown, black, and white markings, walking left and turning its head away from the camera.

Brown tenontosaurus with black stripes walking away to the left at a slight angle and turning its head back to the camera.

316645

Reposted by James Thomas

Orribec @orribec.bsky.social · 08/11/2023

From claw to crown.

223658

James Thomas @bigsheep.bsky.social · 08/11/2023

They've released the programme for NHM's dino conference in January, so I'm poring over the details. I was nervous about attending as it would have been my first conference... but I've since bought tickets for December's Tetzoocon so the nerves are now there. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/200-years-...

eventbrite.co.uk

200 years of dinosaurs: new perspectives on an ancient world

Join us at the NHM's Dinosaur Conference 2024 to celebrate the bicentenary of naming the first dinosaur!

110

James Thomas @bigsheep.bsky.social · 05/11/2023

Settling into a pleasant habit of pairing NFL Red Zone with model making. A good relaxing end to a weekend.

A tray of wooden pieces in the foreground. In the background a television showing an NFL game.

020

James Thomas @bigsheep.bsky.social · 03/11/2023

Finished a re-read of The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs. First time I was in Canada for a wedding, so it conjures happy memories. Fitting because what I enjoy about Brusatte's writing is how he's woven in his life's adventures. They ground and humanise the discoveries and tales.

A book entitled The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs. On the cover is a red tyrannosaur. The title of the book is in gold beneath it.

010

Reposted by James Thomas

Natee (they/them) @himmapaan.bsky.social · 03/11/2023

Stegosaurus. Ink on Fabriano Medioevalis, 132 × 85 mm. 2023

Silhouette drawing in black ink of Stegosaurus, the dinosaur famed for its distinctive large back plates, ambling by the water's edge with clusters of horsetail plants.

519956

James Thomas @bigsheep.bsky.social · 02/11/2023

Please enjoy Perdie in her sombrero.

A white bunny with black patches wearing a tiny black sombrero with white tassels.

010

James Thomas @bigsheep.bsky.social · 31/10/2023

My gourd tribute to the warmest of British comedies, Ghosts. In the spirit of Halloween, this piece is called Pat Butchered.

A carved Halloween pumpkin resembling a face, lit up in a dark room. A large pair of glasses have been cut out with light shining through. A side parting, eyebrows, and moustach have been carved slightly and glow.

A carved Halloween pumpkin resembling a face. A large pair of glasses have been cut out. Hair, eyebrows, and moustache have been carved slightly. An arrow is stuck through the character's neck.

010

James Thomas @bigsheep.bsky.social · 30/10/2023

Plucked up the courage to read a scientific paper on ankylosaur eating mechanics. In doing so I've learned two things: 1. Holy moly I need to study more biology and statistics to understand more than the first two pages. 2. Six months ago I wouldn't have understood the first two pages. Progress.

000

James Thomas @bigsheep.bsky.social · 30/10/2023

These are my autumnal Creme Eggs. I will mourn their departure from shelves come 1 November.

Three packets of Reese's White Pumpkins. They are peanut butter fudge sweets covered in white chocolate.

010

James Thomas @bigsheep.bsky.social · 27/10/2023

Thanks to a stroke of good fortune, I got a hospitality ticket to England v Belgium tonight. It is a very weird (but welcome) experience to come in at half time and be met with a warm sticky toffee pudding.

Pre game festivities on the pitch. A large England badge banner is over the centre circle and fireworks have just gone off in the background. The teams stand having sung the national anthems.

Me wearing a red knit jumper, looking very pleased at his sticky toffee pudding.

110

James Thomas @bigsheep.bsky.social · 27/10/2023

New addition to the office: a Therizinosaurus from Wonder Artistic Models. Their wooden kits has supplanted Lego in recent times for me. If I had enough shelf space my entire office would turn into a tiny wooden natural history museum.

A wooden model of a Therizinosaurus skeleton.

021

James Thomas @bigsheep.bsky.social · 26/10/2023

It's finally happened. I possess actual Solar Jetman merch. Not promotional material, actual merch.

000

James Thomas @bigsheep.bsky.social · 26/10/2023

The bunnies are in my bad books. Go to turn on my GameCube and they've had a little SCART snack.

A black cable with a chunk bitten out of it with colourful tiny wires exposed.

000

James Thomas @bigsheep.bsky.social · 23/10/2023

Can't remember the last time Spurs and the 49ers both played on a Monday night. After a chill weekend watching games without a care, all the fretting is compressed into a single evening.

000

James Thomas @bigsheep.bsky.social · 22/10/2023

First time I've been able to get to The Herbert in Coventry since their Ichthyosaur returned from further preparation. Grand to see more of its skull, sclerotic ring, and teeth.

The skull of an lchthyosaur in a display case. It has large eye sockets and a long snout lined with teeth.

The same lchthyosaur skull prior to the preparation. You can barely see any teeth and portions of the skill are Covered in rock.

000

James Thomas @bigsheep.bsky.social · 21/10/2023

New book day! Though as a Triceratops fan I find this cover truly harrowing.

A book entitled "dinosaur behaviour" by Michael J Benton. The cover shows a Tyrannosaurus picking up a baby Triceratops in its mouth.

010

James Thomas @bigsheep.bsky.social · 20/10/2023

Gloriously ridiculous so far. Only a couple of levels in but it's made me smile a lot.

A screenshot from Super Mario Wonder. Luigi has turned into an elephant and is riding a large green pipe that is moving like a worm.

000

James Thomas @bigsheep.bsky.social · 20/10/2023

Thursday was glorious. Wielding a trowel, I spent the day kneeling in mud, excavating and recording sauropod footprints. It was a special feeling, being so close to evidence of these huge animals and finding a snapshot of their behaviour.

Me, wearing a yellow high visibility jacket and blue hard hat, kneeling on dark mud. I'm holding a trowel right next to a depression in the ground - a footprint that we were excavating.

A view up the dinosaur trackway. Each footprint is a small divot and lump of earth. I'm the distance a group in high visibility jackets inspect some of the trackway.

030