OriginalReplicaComparative

Comparative images of original fossils and painted replicas.

Unfortunately we do not have images of all the original fossils from which our replicas were made. However, we do have a sufficient number of them which should give you an idea of how closely we try to match the replica coloration to the original fossil. We will take a little artistic license where we feel it will improve the appearance of the replica, or to paint out flaws or detractors which were present in the original specimen. Because of the way we paint the replicas we are able to bring out more details in the replicas than may show in the originals.

The lighting may be somewhat different between the original specimen and the replica photos. Additionally, since each replica is hand painted, with oil paints and stains, each one is an original painting. Each replica will therefore have slight variations from one to the next. You can't paint the same picture exactly the same. In the Bird?/Theropod track below to the right the original specimen to the left and the same piece between the two replicas have a slightly different coloration due to different lighting conditions.

You will notice the two replicas on either side of the original have the tracks painted. This is a standard practice and is an example of ways we may alter the coloration of a piece in order to improve the presentation. The Chlamys piece below the tracks is our most blatant departure from the actual coloration of the original fossil. This piece is mainly a decorator piece. However, should you desire one painted in a white limestone, we can do it for you. We can do custom paint jobs on any piece we carry. Custom paint jobs must be paid for in advance

The matrix on the original dinosaur egg nests was covered with a coat of clear polyurethane to protect it from handling and other potential problems. In so doing it brought out the color the matrix would be if it were wet. And is probably how the name of the location that the nests are from gets its name, "The Flaming Cliffs." But, since the area that it is from gets very little rain, the matrix would seldom look that dark. So, we went with a more natural shade for our replicas. The Oviraptor nest original had only one dark egg. We went for a more consistant overall appearance of the nest and painted them all dark.

For the dinosaur footprints from France, as with the footprints from Colorado above, we painted the track to highlight it from the matrix. This is fairly standard procedure to help the tracks be seen.

The Messel Gar replica is fairly closely painted to the original. Actually all Messel replicas look more real than the originals due to the fact that because the matrix of the originals is so unstable they are encased in Lucite or resin to preserve them. Therefore when you hold them up to the light you can see light through them, giving them a very unreal look.

The Solnhofen Coelacanth original has some inconsistencies in coloration. We painted out those inconsistencies in the replica.

The original Keichousaur from China has several natural veins of calcite running through it. The larger one, under the label is somewhat distracting and was therefore not painted in on the replica. The main vein which ran through the skeleton was painted in because it helped to explain the slight offset in the skeleton.

We painted the replica of the Manchurochelys, shell and bones, a little darker than the original to help it stand out from the matrix a little. We used some of the darker color from the matrix to give the shell and bones a more defining coloration.

We used a brassy finish for the Bundenbach starfish: Loriolaster and Urasterella. The pyrite on the originals is not quite as obvious as the replicas, but some specimens from the area can be highly pyritized and quite beautiful. Specimens are often xrayed prior to preparation to help in the process.

The coloration of the Prionocyclus replica is lighter than the original in order to help bring out the suture lines and other datail. Additionally the photo seems to be a little over exposed causing it to be a little lighter than the painted replica actually is. You can see that a base was added to the replica and the piece is weighted, since it is intended to be used as a bookend. We also have a couple other pieces which we will replicate to be used as bookends or stand alone pieces.

The original Stylemys turtle from South Dakota has a few random dark lines in the carapace which we found to be somewhat distracting from the overall appearance of the piece. We did not include them in the replica.

The Prionocyclus ammonite and Stylemys turtle are two of our first three dimensional replicas. Hopefully many more will follow.

The grey and black Lepidodendron/

Calamites plate (below) is our first offering in plants. If you look at our Original Casting Fossils section, you will see several others which we will hopefully get to in the future. The matrix coloration between the original and the replica is a little different, mostly due to differences in lighting when the specimens were photographed. The original was taken in normal daylight. The replica was photographed under fluorescent lighting which seemed to warm up the colors a little.