Hagenius brevistylus
(Dragonhunter) Nymph
YEAR
2020
CLIENT
Kimberly Moss
Media
Pen & Ink | Adobe Illustrator
DESCRIPTION
This entomological plate depicts the aquatic nymph of Hagenius brevistylus, the Dragonhunter Dragonfly. Created through direct observation and rendered in traditional pen & ink, the illustration emphasizes diagnostic characteristics across both macroscopic and microscopic views including 2 tarsal claws, four-segmented antennae, and anal appendage arrangement. The piece provides a detailed reference for a life stage rarely featured in field guides.
Process
The project spanned followed a structured workflow that included specimen study, composition thumbnails, rough sketches, texture studies, and paper prototyping before moving into the inking phase. After rendering, the work was digitized and composed using Photoshop, marking one of my first experiences integrating traditional and digital techniques.
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Rough Sketches
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Thumbnails
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