Since some time I am sculpting models for a new exhibtion at the paleontological museum at Tübingen, which houses one of the largest fossil cephalopod collections of the world. My first models will be some belemnites, as there are many wonderful fossils of those cephalopods in the museum, as well as many fossil marine reptiles and sharks with relics of belemnites in the stomach.
I started with a small and simple model at first, which is based on Belemnoteuthis, as there are extremely well-preserved fossils with great soft-tissue impressions. I decided to make at first a version with closed tentacles, as the many tiny hooklets are very painstaking work, and because it is much easier to make molds and casts from such a model, for example if you want to have a whole swarm. But at least one model with open arms, probably of Passaloteuthis, is also planed.
I have attached some photos of my model, which is made from sculpey. As a result of the colour, it is not very easy to make photos which show the smaller details. I have given it a shape very similar to those of many modern squids. The fins are still not attached, as I wanted to discuss them before. Many belemnite reconstructions show them only with comparably or very small fins which cover only a third or the half of the rostrum. However given the fact how man modern squids with a comparable body shape, have very long and well-developed fins, which run down to the tip of the mantle, like in Onykia robusta or Mesnychoteuthis.
So, what do you think about the model, any comments and improvement suggestions are welcome. I want to make it as realistically looking as possible, so I want to sculpt the anatomy in a correct way.
I started with a small and simple model at first, which is based on Belemnoteuthis, as there are extremely well-preserved fossils with great soft-tissue impressions. I decided to make at first a version with closed tentacles, as the many tiny hooklets are very painstaking work, and because it is much easier to make molds and casts from such a model, for example if you want to have a whole swarm. But at least one model with open arms, probably of Passaloteuthis, is also planed.
I have attached some photos of my model, which is made from sculpey. As a result of the colour, it is not very easy to make photos which show the smaller details. I have given it a shape very similar to those of many modern squids. The fins are still not attached, as I wanted to discuss them before. Many belemnite reconstructions show them only with comparably or very small fins which cover only a third or the half of the rostrum. However given the fact how man modern squids with a comparable body shape, have very long and well-developed fins, which run down to the tip of the mantle, like in Onykia robusta or Mesnychoteuthis.
So, what do you think about the model, any comments and improvement suggestions are welcome. I want to make it as realistically looking as possible, so I want to sculpt the anatomy in a correct way.