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Wonder Beast -- Chinese Zodiac

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Description

A final illustration for my Natural Science Illustration course. We were asked to combine different animals and/or plants, and create a background for the creature. I decided I wanted to do a form of wonder beast, an animal comprised of parts of many animals, based off of a theme. Originally, I was considering the western zodiac, but signs like Libra and Gemini were giving me way too much trouble for the time allotted. So I switched over to the Chinese zodiac, where at least every element is already an animal.

So, we have:
Head shape: Horse;
Face: Rat;
Ears: Rabbit (duh);
Spine: Dragon;
Chest: Sheep;
Body: Ox;
Front legs: Monkey
Wings: Rooster (another duh);
Back legs: Dog;
Tail: Pig (far-fetched);
Tail body: Snake;
Patterning (rump and tail): Tiger

Due to the fact that the creature is made up of so many different animals, its behavior is also an oxymoron. The size of it is just a little larger than a wolf, but it is a scavenger, and unable to defend itself. Its alert ears and side-viewing eyes force it into the role of prey, its only protective quality being its wings. Unable to fly or climb, the wings act as an extension of the body, enlarging the creature more so in illusion once threatened. If the threat pursues, the otherwise docile creature turns tail and flees. Fortunately, its tail has a brain of its own, snapping at whatever chases it. This is useful, seeing as the creature's awkward build gives it trouble gaining much momentum.
The omnivore inhabits wooded areas, but prefers to scavenge in open plains. It parents one offspring at a time, twins being very rare.

If anyone has a suggestion for its official name (other than Chinese Zodiac Wonder Beast), advice would be greatly appreciated.

Media: Pelikan gouache/watercolor cake set, ink
Image size
1690x950px 295.3 KB
Make
NIKON
Model
COOLPIX L11
Shutter Speed
10/600 second
Aperture
F/2.8
Focal Length
6 mm
ISO Speed
64
Date Taken
Dec 15, 2009, 1:48:39 AM
© 2009 - 2024 Aerouge
Comments4
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Kitsune-aka-Cettie's avatar
That's really cool! Did you get the term Wonder Beast from Mr. Del's social studies class or from somewhere else?