Velociraptor animation

[Michael Skrepnick <palaeopaint@dinosaursinart.com>]

Bravo!!  I think the movement you've generated for the rising Velociraptor
is very nice, both realistic and naturalistic. I would estimate that the
"vertically oriented" position it ends in ( as David M. remarks, "kangaroo
like"), is one it would attain in order to survey the surrounding terrain
( looking for prey, etc...), but that once it decided to move forward, the
body would drop down into a more horizontal position and then off it would
go.

It appears to me that you have "loosely" indicated feathery integument
throughout the head, neck, torso, etc...  The only anatomical observations I
would make are. . . 1) if the model is based on V. mongoliensis, the anatomy
could be rendered in a more "gracile" fashion.  Visually, it appears to be a
larger Deinonychus grade + sized dromaeosaurid, rather than the more
diminutive Velociraptor and 2) feathery material indicated along the forearm
should continue along onto the manus (metacarpal 2 and the first proximal
phalanx of digit 2).  Digit 3 would then only appear from beneath the
overlaying feather "hand feathers".  Oh, and also feathers probably
enveloped the entire hindlimb down to the ankle ( distal tibia ), although
at present this would remain more of an artistic call.

Mike Skrepnick